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/

Explaining addiction

With an addiction, the brain's reward system becomes imbalanced.
It's not simply a behavioral problem. This reward system is activated by pleasurable activities, such as eating, social interactions, or exercising. The reward circuit, also called the dopaminergic system, includes brain areas that work together to process rewards and influence behavior.

It often starts innocently enough. People use substances to feel good or to soothe emotions like trauma and anxiety. But through gradual changes in brain connections, this can lead to addiction.

In addiction, a substance (such as alcohol, drugs, or nicotine) or a habit (such as gaming, gambling, or social media) causes
excessive stimulation of the reward system. Key brain areas in this circuit are the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the nucleus accumbens, and the prefrontal cortex, which will be discussed in the next chapter.

The brain produces increasing amounts of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which produces a transient feeling of happiness or relaxation. This effect is temporary, requiring increasingly more of the substance or activity to experience the same feeling. An excess of dopamine can cause restlessness, impulsive behavior, difficulty concentrating, and anxiety. Overactive dopamine pathways can even lead to neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia.

Brain Areas and Neurotransmitters Involved in Addiction

Brain Areas

• The amygdala and the prefrontal cortex are two essential parts of the human brain that work closely together through a network of neural pathways. This network enables communication and coordination between the two.

The amygdala plays a key role in emotions such as fear and reward, while the prefrontal cortex is responsible for rational thinking, decision-making, and impulse control.

Under normal circumstances, these areas work together to balance emotional responses and make well-considered decisions.

With addiction, this synergy in the brain becomes imbalanced. The amygdala becomes overactive, leading to strong desires (cravings) and intense emotions. At the same time, the prefrontal cortex functions less effectively, making it harder to control impulses or make wise choices. This is why addiction often leads to reduced control and increased sensitivity to 'triggers'.

• The ventral tegmental area (VTA), located at the base of the midbrain (mesencephalon), is responsible for the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that gives us feelings of pleasure and motivation. Several cells in this area use dopamine to communicate with each other. Overactive dopamine pathways can predispose someone to addiction.

• The Nucleus accumbens, part of the basal ganglia and thus part of the limbic system, is a key part of the brain's reward system. It ensures that individuals feel happy and rewarded.
  It helps regulate emotional responses, store emotional memories, and experience pleasure and motivation.
  It also helps with pain management by releasing dopamine and serotonin, which play a role in pain and pleasure.

Neurotransmitters

• Serotonin contributes to relaxation and well-being. Too much can cause headaches, sweating, and confusion, and lead to more serious problems such as muscle twitches, high fever, and even life-threatening complications.
  
• Dopamine creates a pleasant feeling when released as a reward, but
  too much dopamine in the body can lead to negative effects such as addiction or mood disorders. This can manifest as symptoms such as restlessness, impulsive behavior, difficulty concentrating, and even feelings of anxiety.
  If this system is overstimulated, it becomes unbalanced, and a person can become addicted.

Addiction support

• https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/
• https://findtreatment.gov/
• https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/get-help-with-substance-use.html

Learn more about the risks to the brain by:

• Drugs, including:
  
  • Cannabis
• • XTC
  • Cocaine
  • Laughing Gaz
• Alcohol Alcohol is known to be a neurotoxic substance for the brain.

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.