Microplastics Are Lurking in Your Brain, Enough to Make a Spoon!

Microplastics have infiltrated every part of our environment. They're in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and even the food we eat.

But recent studies have found an unsettling revelation: these microscopic plastic particles are now in our brains. While we already know the dangers they pose to other organs, new research has shown that our brains may be particularly susceptible.

The concentration of microplastics in the human brain has been found to be equivalent to the weight of a disposable plastic spoon, and that amount is rising every year.

This revelation comes from a study conducted by researchers at the University of New Mexico, published in Nature Medicine. The study discovered that not only is there an alarming amount of plastic in our brains, but that it’s increasing at an alarming rate, with concentrations rising by 50% between 2016 and 2024.

Even more concerning, individuals diagnosed with dementia had microplastic levels in their brains that were several times higher than average, raising the question of whether microplastics could be linked to cognitive decline.

Reducing Exposure to Microplastics

The good news is there are ways to limit our exposure to these particles.

Microplastics are most commonly made up of polyethylene, a type of plastic found in everything from packaging to plastic bottles. One major contributor to our microplastic intake is bottled water.

Studies show that switching from bottled water to filtered tap water could reduce our intake by up to 90%, decreasing the number of microplastic particles we consume annually.

Similarly, microplastics have been found to leach from plastic tea bags during brewing, so opting for loose-leaf tea could also help reduce exposure.

Another significant source of microplastics comes from ultra-processed foods, such as frozen chicken nuggets, which have been shown to contain microplastic particles.

Storing and heating food in plastic containers can also release microplastics, so switching to glass or stainless steel containers could minimize exposure.

Can We Eliminate Microplastics from Our Brains?

While reducing exposure is important, the bigger question remains: can we remove the microplastics already lodged in our brains? Researchers don’t yet have an answer.

The original study found no correlation between age and microplastic levels, which means that even younger individuals can accumulate significant amounts. In fact, there is very little research on the long-term health effects of having microplastics in the brain, particularly with regards to mental health.

Nicholas Fabiano, a lead author of the recent commentary published in Brain Medicine, emphasized the need for more research on this topic. He notes that it’s still unclear how much damage these microplastics might cause to our mental health.

Think about it, if we're carrying a spoon’s worth of plastic in our brains, it’s likely to have some negative impact on cognitive function.

More studies are needed to better understand the connection between plastic accumulation in the brain and conditions like dementia.

For now, the best course of action is to take steps to limit exposure(to the best of our abilties since they have become pretty much inescapable), as the research on microplastics and their health effects is still in its infancy.

Reducing our exposure to these pollutants could help prevent further accumulation in our bodies and potentially limit future risks.