It’s a dangerous world out there. Every day, we’re being assaulted by environmental toxins. Harmful substances in the air we breathe, the foods we eat, and the products we rub on our skin are absorbed into our bodies via our lungs, digestive system, and pores. Eventually, they can negatively impact the brain and mind.
The more exposure you have to these everyday toxins, the more you’re putting your brain at risk. And that risk includes developing memory loss, brain fog, anxiety and depression, focus problems, anger issues, and other mental health problems.
The team of neuropsychiatrists at Amen Clinics calls this phenomenon Toxic Brain.
Unfortunately, the effects of environmental toxins on mental health and cognitive function remain virtually ignored in traditional psychiatry. Without getting to the root cause of these problems, standard psychiatric treatments often don’t work effectively. This means far too many people are suffering needlessly.
You may be one of them.
In this blog, you’ll discover more about toxic brain and its symptoms. Plus, you can take a quick quiz to determine how toxic your brain is, and what you can do about it.
Toxic Brain occurs when environmental toxins harm the brain and contribute to mental health problems or cognitive impairment. Environmental toxins impact nearly every aspect of your body and can damage the brain.
According to 2019 research in Environmental Health Perspectives and Plos Biology, areas that have higher levels of environmental pollution are associated with more cases of anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Brain toxicity can be seen on brain scans using a technology called single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). SPECT is a nuclear medicine study that evaluates blood flow and activity in the brain. Basically, it shows 3 things about brain function: healthy activity, too little activity, or too much activity.
On SPECT scans, a “scalloped” appearance and overall decreased cerebral blood flow are signs of possible toxicity.
At Amen Clinics, which has built the world’s largest database of SPECT scans with over 250,000 scans, seeing this pattern of brain activity prompts the neuropsychiatrists and integrative medicine physicians (also called functional medicine physicians) to investigate why the brain looks so unhealthy. Is it alcohol abuse? Is it exposure to toxic mold? Or is it something else?
Asking additional questions about a person’s history, lifestyle, and work and home environments can provide clues to what’s causing the damage. In some cases, lab testing can offer insights into the root cause of Toxic Brain.
Exposure to toxins is associated with a variety of physical and psychiatric symptoms. On the physical side, issues can include autoimmune diseases, diabetes, cancer, fatigue, numbness, tingling, tremors, allergies, abdominal pain, diarrhea, smelly stools, bad breath, weight issues, skin rashes, sweats, and more.
Research shows that from a psychiatric standpoint, exposure to toxins can increase the risk of:
If you’re already struggling with mental health disorders, memory loss, or other cognitive issues, exposure to toxins may worsen symptoms.
How can you tell if you have a toxic brain? Getting a SPECT scan is the best way to know how your brain is functioning. However, even without a brain scan, you can get an idea of your brain’s toxic load.
The following quiz includes 23 everyday toxins that harm the brain and destroy thinking. Simply answer the questions honestly to assess your risk.
The more questions you answer “yes” to, the more toxic your brain is likely to be and your score will be totaled at the end of the quiz.
If your brain has been chronically exposed to environmental toxins and you’re experiencing cognitive problems or a mental health condition, it’s important to investigate further.
SPECT scans can help determine if your brain shows the telltale scalloping pattern and low blood flow typically seen in Toxic Brain. And it can provide valuable insights into other possible co-existing conditions.
Even if you have a strong history of exposure to toxins, or your brain scan looks toxic, don’t despair. There is hope. You can heal your brain.
Here are some of the recommended interventions to heal from toxic brain:
You can’t completely avoid toxins, but you can limit your exposure. Here are some of the best ways to detox your brain, your body, and your life.
The first step in any brain rehab program is falling in love with your brain. When you love your brain, you want to protect it and enhance it. This involves two things:
This non-invasive therapy helps you retrain your brain to decrease mental illness symptoms, improve focus, and enhance cognitive performance. Studies point to neurofeedback as an effective tool as part of a comprehensive treatment program for substance use disorders.
Learning to avoid toxic substances like alcohol, marijuana, or nicotine can reduce the brain’s toxic load.
This form of treatment involves breathing pure oxygen while inside a pressurized chamber. HBOT accelerates the healing process and has been found to be helpful for a wide range of brain-related issues. Some research points to HBOT as being beneficial for people with mold toxicity.
Nourishing the brain with nutraceuticals can be helpful. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most important supplements for overall brain health.
By following these strategies, you can help your brain heal from toxic exposure. By enhancing brain function, you can improve cognitive performance and mental well-being.
Braithwaite, Isobel et al. “Air Pollution (Particulate Matter) Exposure and Associations with Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, Psychosis and Suicide Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Environmental health perspectives vol. 127,12 (2019): 126002. doi:10.1289/EHP4595
The PLOS Biology Staff (2019) Correction: Environmental pollution is associated with increased risk of psychiatric disorders in the US and Denmark. PLOS Biology 17(10): e3000513. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000513
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. “Don’t Pucker Up: Lead in Lipstick,” Oct. 12, 2007. https://www.safecosmetics.org/blog/dont-pucker-up-lead-in-lipstick/
Sokhadze, Tato M et al. “EEG biofeedback as a treatment for substance use disorders: review, rating of efficacy, and recommendations for further research.” Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback vol. 33,1 (2008): 1-28. doi:10.1007/s10484-007-9047-5
Ezra, N et al. “Improvement of attention span and reaction time with hyperbaric oxygen treatment in patients with toxic injury due to mold exposure.” European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology vol. 30,1 (2011): 1-6. doi:10.1007/s10096-010-0937-8
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