Brain Injury by intoxication / use of substances

Poisoning or intoxication may cause brain injury.

Brain damage may occur as a result of exposure to substances that are toxic to the nervous system (neurotoxic substances).

Substances that are toxic to the nervous system affect the functioning of neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters are substances that allow brain cells (neurons) to communicate with each other. They also allow nerve cells to communicate with muscle cells. Neurons have a contact spot where the signal transmission takes place at the tip. This tip is called the synapse. The word is derived from the Greek word σύναψις tangent, compound. Read more on the neurotransmitters page.

When neurotransmitters are no longer able to communicate properly, various symptoms can arise. When the loss is permanent, it is called brain injury or muscle failure. The consequences of brain injury are often invisible. The invisible consequences of brain injury are those least understood by those around them and are often the most severe for the person affected.

Examples of neurotoxic substances include:

• Heavy metals (lead, bromine, copper (Wilson's desease) or mercury and mercury compounds);
• High doses of medication or prolonged use of barbiturates and opioids;
• Organic solvents: acetic acid, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, di-ethylene, formic acid, heptane, HMPA, methanol, pentane, THF and toluene; These substances may lead to painters syndrome, also known as Chronic Solvent Induced Encephalopathy.
• Alcohol, alcohol is known to be a neurotoxic substance to the brain.
• Drugs:
  
  • Cannabis
  • XTC
  • Cocaine
  • Laughing Gaz
• Nanoplastics Microplasics
• Vapes

Vaping and nicotine negatively impact brain development and are also highly addictive, according to the Dutch Trimbos Institute.
The substance, also found in vapes, can lead to heart palpitations, dizziness, high blood pressure, and even epileptic seizures.
Smoking vapes also releases toxic metals. These damage the brain, respiratory tract, and other organs. These toxic metals include lead, uranium, and cadmium.
Not only can vaping cause respiratory problems, but it also affects the brain and psyche, especially in young people. Impulsiveness, poor impulse control, loss of concentration and memory problems, and depression are frequently mentioned. The brain continues to develop until about the age of 25. In case its development is damaged before the age of 25, it is irreversible. More information:

https://artsenslaanalarm.nl/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di5PTNQsfQE

https://thewaveclinic.com/blog/understanding-the-risks-of-vaping-in-teens/

Read our page about addiction. What happens in the brain during an addiction?

Microplastics and Nanoplastics in human body and brain

Microplastics and nanoplastics, tiny plastic particles, are increasingly common in our environment and have now also been found in the human body. Microplastics have been found in the human kidney, liver, brain, lungs, intestines, bone marrow, and placenta, among other places. Various abbreviations are used for these substances:

• NMP
• MNP

Sizes

• Microplastics: less than 5 millimeters in size
  
• Nanoplastics: tiny particles ranging from 1 to 1000 nanometers.

These particles accumulate in larger quantities in the brain, more so than in the liver or kidneys.
Often, only larger particles (greater than 5 micrometers) are measured in research, which means that the smallest nanoplastics are not included.

Dementia

Higher accumulations of MNPs were found in the brains of people who died from dementia. These accumulations were primarily found in the walls of cerebral blood vessels and in immune cells. In dementia, brain tissue shrinks, brain protection is less effective, and waste products are less effectively cleared. This can lead to higher MNP levels. These findings did not allow for conclusions about cause and effect. The research can be found here.

Blood-brain barrier

A concerning aspect of this is the potential impact on the blood-brain barrier, a critical protective layer that shields the brain from harmful substances. Research suggests that some microplastics can cross this barrier, potentially accumulating in the brain. This could potentially trigger inflammatory responses, neurological damage, or disrupt brain function.

The blood-brain barrier is normally a vital mechanism in the human body that protects the brain from harmful substances and pathogens. It consists of a network of tightly connected cells in the walls of the brain's blood vessels. This barrier ensures that only specific molecules, such as oxygen and nutrients, are allowed to pass from the blood to the brain.

The health implications are unknown

Although the precise long-term effects have not yet been fully investigated, it is clear that exposure to microplastics poses risks to human health. As soon as more information becomes available, we will post it here.

Reducing plastic use and improving waste management are crucial steps to address this issue.
Minimize the use of single-use plastics, ventilate your home well, vacuum regularly to remove dust and plastic debris, and avoid cosmetic products that intentionally add MNPs, such as scrubs with plastic beads.