A new study has found that the level of microplastics in human brain samples increased by 50% between 2016 and 2024. The research, published in Nature Medicine, analyzed postmortem brain samples from 52 people, including 28 from 2016 and 24 from 2024.
Microplastics, tiny shards of plastic waste, are present in every brain sample, with higher concentrations found in the brain compared to other organs like the kidney and liver. The study’s findings suggest that microplastics may be crossing the blood-brain barrier, which normally protects the brain from toxic substances.
Experts warn that while the exact effects of microplastics on human health are unknown, previous studies have linked them to serious issues such as cancer, respiratory problems, and heart attacks. The new study offers another clue, finding a higher concentration of microplastics in the brains of 12 people with dementia compared to those without.
The increasing levels of microplastics in brain samples likely reflect the growing production and use of plastics. Most of the plastic shards found were polyethylene, commonly used in food and drink packaging, shampoo bottles, and recycling bins.
The study’s authors note that more research is needed to determine whether microplastics cause health problems, but independent researchers say the results are worrying given the pervasive nature of microplastics in the environment.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/health/2025/02/04/new-schizophrenia-cases-linked-to-heavy-cannabis-use-have-tripled-particularly-in-young-me