Brain health is often overlooked in daily life despite the crucial role it plays in our overall well-being. Sure, genetics and aging contribute to cognitive decline, but certain lifestyle choices can unknowingly trigger or accelerate neurological issues.
According to a study by the World Federation of Neurology, more than 40% of the global population suffers from some sort of neurological condition. Moreover, 90% of these neurological conditions are caused by 10 conditions. Some of these include strokes, migraines, dementia, and meningitis.
While some risk factors are widely known, such as poor diet and lack of exercise, there are other surprising contributors that many people don't consider. Below, we’ll look at three such examples along with their corresponding negative impact.
1. A Lack of enough sleep
For some reason, people seem to feel that ‘getting enough sleep’ is more of a guideline than a necessity. Sleep deprivation is often glorified in modern culture, especially in high-performance environments like business, medicine, and academia. People pride themselves on "grinding" through exhaustion, how they ‘survive on coffee,’ and assume they can make up for lost sleep later.
However, unlike hunger or dehydration, which cause immediate distress, the effects of sleep loss are slow and deceptive. Your brain is able to adjust temporarily, which makes you feel like you’re functioning normally, but in reality, your cognitive abilities are taking a hit.
According to Dr. Nancy Foldvary-Schaefer, deep sleep is particularly important because it’s when your brain gets rid of toxins that accumulate during your waking hours. These toxins are what contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. What’s shocking is that even six hours of sleep still isn’t enough to get rid of these toxins.
Moreover, sleep deprivation amplifies activity in the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for emotional responses, particularly fear and anxiety. When you aren’t getting enough sleep, the connection between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex weakens, which reduces your ability to regulate emotions.
This is why sleep-deprived people tend to be irritable, impulsive, and overly reactive to stress. Chronic sleep loss is also strongly linked to depression and anxiety disorders. So, try to make it a priority to get a good eight hours of sleep from here on.
2. Using certain contraceptives
When people think about brain health, hormonal contraceptives probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, some birth control methods have been linked to serious neurological risks.
The fact is, hormonal contraceptives are just one of the many things that can unknowingly affect your brain. It’s scary because you might not realize the consequences until you’ve been on birth control for years. Just look at all the people filing Depo-Provera lawsuit cases right now.
Countless women used this contraceptive due to its high effectiveness. However, as TruLaw notes, the hormone injection appears to cause a 555% risk increase of certain brain tumors like meningioma. Now, Pfizer is in damage control mode after failing to provide warnings on American labels adequately.
Chanel Stuart-Clarke, a 31-year-old Australian woman, took Depo-Provera for over ten years to help manage heavy periods. Ms. Stuart-Clarke is one more person who developed a meningioma that will have to be constantly monitored with bi-yearly MRI scans for the rest of her life.
Thus, don’t be satisfied with just the labels on your medicine. Instead, go online and do some research. Find out if people in other countries have different labels and if there are reports of serious side effects. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.
3. Sodas with artificial sweeteners
It’s no secret that sugary sodas are bad for your health. However, many people switch to "diet" sodas under the false belief that they are a healthier alternative. Unfortunately, artificial sweeteners like aspartame may pose serious risks to brain health.
Recent research shows that ingredients like aspartame, which is commonly found in sodas, can lead to learning and memory deficits. Even more shocking, these deficits induced by aspartame can be passed down to your kids.
The reason aspartame is so dangerous is that it alters the gut-brain communication. In addition, it also interferes with neurotransmitters, which leads to neurotoxicity.
While diet sodas may seem like a healthier choice than sugary sodas, the long-term effects on brain health are concerning. They include cognitive decline, memory impairment, mood disorders, and increased stroke risk.
For brain health, it’s best to stick to water, herbal teas, or natural drinks like lemon water. If you do crave sweetness, maybe opt for natural sweeteners like stevia (in moderation). Ideally, you want to reduce overall soda intake, whether diet or regular, if you really want to support long-term brain function.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is inadequate sleep unhealthy?
Getting less than six hours of sleep per night is considered unhealthy, as it impairs memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of Alzheimer’s, stroke, and mental health issues. Most adults should aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep per night for optimal brain function.
2. Which contraceptive injections are linked to brain tumors?
Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) has been linked to an increased risk of meningiomas, a type of non-cancerous brain tumor. Long-term use (over five years) may raise the risk, especially at high doses. However, for a more accurate picture of the health risks, it’s best to speak to your healthcare provider.
3. How much artificial sweetener is safe per day?
Safe intake depends on the sweetener. The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for aspartame is 50 mg per kg of body weight, which equals about 19 cans of diet soda for a 70 kg adult. However, frequent consumption may disrupt metabolism and brain function, so limiting intake to small amounts is advisable.
To put it simply, you only have one brain, and it’s surprisingly easy to hurt it. As we’ve seen, much of the damage happens insidiously and over time. That’s the terrifying part. You can go years before the effects start to manifest. Thankfully, we live in a time where information and awareness of these facts can spread far and wide.
Feature photo: Unsplash.com
Associated with the nervous system and the brain.
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