Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:33 pm by globalturbo
50 Situations That Can Kill Brain Cells
By Drew from - 4Mind4Life
1) Food additives —
Food additives contain a group of compounds commonly referred to as
“exotoxins,” which slow and destroy cognitive development in the brain.
“Exotoxins” are not just present in a few foods; they are present in
virtually ALL processed foods. To avoid future health problems and keep a
healthy brain, your best bet is to eat healthy, non-processed foods.
2) Exposure to pesticides
— It is always important to take the necessary precautions when working
with pesticides or being in an area around pesticides. Pesticides kill
brain cells quickly and cause abnormal mental and physical development.
If you are in an environment where pesticide exposure is common, get
out, save yourself, or report the company and people using the
pesticides to proper authorities. Pesticides are linked to Parkinson’s
disease and many other forms of mental illness!
3) Too much stress — A
little bit of stress is healthy for everyone. It keeps you motivated and
motivated to achieve goals. When stress gets out of hand to the point
where you’re having adrenaline rushes, your body produces an excess of
the chemical “cortisol.” Too much of that cortisol is what kills brain
cells. Please don’t stress after reading this.
4) Exposure to electricity
— Short and long-term exposure to electricity has terrible effects on
your brain. Electricity doesn’t just cause you to lose a few brain cells
either, it causes you to lose millions! If you or anyone you know works
with electricity on a consistent basis, you may want to take special
precautions or reconsider!
5) Rapidly shaking your head –
Rapidly shaking your head around back and forth causes axons to tear,
this causes brain cell death. A very easy way to prevent brain cell loss
is by NOT shaking your head. You have complete control over the shaking
of your head; don’t do it!
6) Eating junk food —
What happens to your brain cells when they aren’t provided with the
healthy nutrients they need to survive? They starve and die! A little
bit of junk food won’t hurt, but unhealthy food on a consistent basis
without any healthy food will cause brain cells to die. Again, you have
complete control over what you choose to eat. Pick healthy foods and
give your brains the adequate nutrients that they need to flourish.
7) Drinking too much alcohol
— How many brain cells does one beer kill? Chances are good that
drinking just one beer won’t kill any. Getting drunk probably won’t even
kill any brain cells. Alcohol can cause a temporary chemical imbalance
and structural changes. If you are an alcoholic or you frequently “drink
too much alcohol,” you will most likely kill brain cells. MRI’s of
alcoholic patients show a decreased brain volume.
8 ) Taking ecstasy (MDMA) –
Common-day club drug, Ecstasy literally puts holes in your brain. Brain
scans have compared healthy brains to brains of those who’ve used
ecstacy and have found that the “brains on ecstasy” had holes in them.
Ecstasy depletes serotonin manufacturing cells, which are important for
keeping a positive mood and promoting relaxation. If you frequently go
“clubbing” make the choice to stay away from “X,” as it is very common
in clubs. Avoid this drug, and your brain will be much healthier than if
you didn’t.
9) Dehydration –
Without sufficient levels of water in the brain, ions get disrupted and
the result is brain damage. Replenish your body and brain with necessary
water levels to avoid dehydration and keep your brain cells healthy.
10) Using methamphetamines –
Taking methamphetamines is probably the most uneducated decision you
could possibly make. Not only are they one of the most addicting groups
of drugs, they destroy lives and kill brain cells.
The sad part is, methamphetamine use results in severe to permanent
brain damage even long after the drug has been stopped. In my opinion,
methamphetamines are the most dangerous group of drugs to get involved
with. Stay away from them, get help now if you use them, and help a
friend if you know they are a user.
11) Getting a contusion –
A contusion is a severe bruise within the brain. It does cause neuronal
death (brain cell death). Unfortunately, most people that have
contusions couldn’t really do much to avoid them. Sports like boxing
where taking jabs to the head is common, influences the development of
contusions. Safety precautions: wear a helmet or hardhat when debris or
other objects have potential to damage your head. The great-est Mohammed
Ali suffered brain contusions from his heavy involvement in boxing.
12) Having a stroke – A
stroke results from temporary loss of blood-flow to the brain. Usually,
the damage from having a stroke is centralized in just one side of the
brain. Strokes can cause anything from small lesions, to widespread cell
death. Unfortunately strokes cannot be avoided, but there are things
that you can do to reduce your risk: lowering stress levels and staying
active are just a couple healthy activities that reduce risk of a
stroke. An interesting fact: millions of brain cells die each minute a stroke is left untreated.
13) Avoiding exercise —
The act of avoiding exercise doesn’t kill brain cells, however, the
effects that are associated with lack of exercise happen to be killers.
Exercise reduces stress levels, chance of brain damage, and even creates
new brain cells. If you are avoiding exercise, you happen to be setting
your brain cells up for an early death. Make time in your schedule to
exercise and reap the benefits; exercise should never be avoided.
14) Sensory deprivation –
We know from my “hearing voices” article that sensory deprivation may
cause you to have auditory hallucinations. When your brain undergoes
sensory deprivation for longer periods of time, you lose brain cells.
When cells are not stimulated for long periods of time, your brain
reorganizes itself; you naturally lose the unused, understimulated
cells.
15) Taking absinthe —
Most types of absinthe contain extremely high amounts of ethanol and a
chemical called thujone; both of which can cause brain cell death.
Thujone has the opposite effects of barbiturates like Xanax and in high
doses can cause seizures and possibly death. It is definitely best to
avoid absinthe and not put your brain at risk of damage.
16) Drinking too much water
— The act of drinking too much water in too short of time period will
actually flood your nervous system and kill off brain cells. How exactly
does this work? When the ratio of water to sodium escalates, your brain
swells and brain cells die in the process. Individuals on low-sodium
diets may be especially vulnerable to “water toxicity.” It is important
to stay hydrated, but be reasonable; you know what’s right for your
body. Don’t go overboard and kill off your brain cells!
17) Being a chronic negative thinker
— The act of simply thinking negative will not cause any sort of brain
cell loss. Most people have negative thoughts that creep in their
consciousness from time to time. It is when the negative thinking takes
over, gets “out of line” and causes stress, and you to make unwise
decisions such as taking drugs like Ecstasy to improve your mood at the
club when you are probably losing brain cells. The side-effects and
byproducts from negative thoughts are what make you more likely to
engage in activities that kill brain cells. Negative thinking is an
indirect killer; surround yourself with positivity and a healthy circle
of friends!
18) Post traumatic stress disorder –
Victims of post-traumatic stress disorder unfortunately deal with
memory problems, anxiety, flashbacks, and happen to lose brain cells in
the process. Post traumatic stress disorder causes the brain to produce a
surplus of the stress hormone “cortisol,” which kills brain cells. Like
other stress related disorders, they don’t lose a huge amount of brain
cells overnight, but they definitely can lose a significant amount if
they don’t get adequate assistance and treatment.
19) Head trauma – The
scary thing about head trauma is that it not only kills brain cells, it
also damages the brain’s ability to repair itself after the damage. Head
trauma is linked to Parkinson’s disease and poor sensorimotor
processing within the brain — always try to protect your head whenever
engaging in a contact sport, working construction, riding a motorcycle,
etc.
20) Elevated testosterone levels — Having too high of testosterone levels has been proven to be detrimental to your brain’s health and does
kill brain cells. If you are taking supplements that increase
testosterone levels, be aware that too much of the supplement could
potentially cause the death of your brain cells!
21) Chemotherapy — Unfortunately for those who have undergone chemotherapy, the process not only kills the cancerous cells, but many of your good brain cells.
In order to avoid cancer, take steps to reduce your risk of developing
cancer such as: eating healthy, exercising, getting proper sleep, etc.
Not everyone is able to avoid cancer, but you can certainly make an
effort to try.
22) A single stressful event
— Yes, you read correct — just ONE stressful event has the potential to
kill off brain cells. If you live in a high-stress environment, are
always on the go, and never take time to just chill, your mind is most
likely overactive and you are losing brain cells. If you know that you
will be exposed to stressful events, I recommend learning stress coping
methods like meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery, yoga, etc.
There are many things you can do to lower your stress response to hectic
events.
23) Smoking cigarettes —
The act of smoking cigarettes is not only detrimental to your physical
health — it could be taking a heavy toll on your mental health. The fact
is, scientists have found that “smoking” kills brain cells
and stops the production of new brain cells (neurogenesis). If you are a
smoker, work hard to kick the habit. If you are smoke-free, stay that
way and encourage smokers to quit.
24) Taking steroids —
Taking steroids is terrible for your brain and body. Steroids elevate
testosterone levels and increase stress levels: 2 activities [mentioned
earlier] that are known to deplete brain cell. Steroids cause early
death, an increased suicide risk, and give the user absolutely ZERO
fulfillment in the long-term. Take the time to lift the necessary
weights and don’t expect to get “ripped” overnight; you will be better
off in the grand scheme of life.
25) Extreme anxiety and panic
— Anxiety and panic in extreme situations will definitely provoke
feelings of stress, release cortisol, and will kill your brain cells in
severe forms. Light and moderate forms of anxiety and panic may feel
uncomfortable, but will probably not damage your brain. Learning
valuable coping techniques by visiting a psychotherapist, using
relaxation techniques consistently, and considering medication are all
things that will stop you from losing brain cells from anxiety and
panic.
26) Sniffing paint —
Yes, sniffing paint will give you a “high” for a while, but it can
really inflict severe brain damage. Avoid inhalants like paint and keep
your brain cells healthy. Even worse than just killing your brain cells
is the fact that sniffing paint has the potential to kill you — even on
your first time. Stay away from this stuff and get help now if you are
addicted.
27) Oxycodone abuse —
Oxycodone abuse kills brain cells, heart tissue, damages kidneys, and
has terrible side-effects. If you or someone you know abuses Oxycodone,
seek help immediately! Your brain and body will thank you in the long
run — Oxycodone is nothing to fool around with.
28) Taking cocaine –
Thank you captain obvious, right? It’s possible that not everyone out
there knew that cocaine killed brain cells. Cocaine doesn’t just kill
random brain cells either, it wipes out the brain cells in your brain’s
pleasure center — brain cells that make you feel good and are triggered
with positive emotion and pleasure. Want to keep having fun in life and
feel pleasure? Stay away from cocaine.
29) Exposure to lead —
It is known that the early exposure of lead may lead to later brain
aging in life. What about brain cell loss from lead exposure? Scientific
evidence shows that exposure to lead leads to brain cell loss and damage
years later. Scientists figure that a single exposure is equivalent to
at least 5 years of brain aging. Avoid lead exposure at all possible
costs and do what you’ve got to do to keep your brain healthy!
30) Mercury toxicity —
Chances are good that you probably know that avoiding exposure to
mercury is recommended. When a person is exposed to mercury, they can
develop what’s known as “mercury toxicity” in the brain. Mercury
toxicity is a known brain cell killer. I find it interesting that many
old, tooth-fillings could be releasing mercury into your body and you
could be a victim of mercury poisoning.
31) Carbon monoxide poisoning
— Yes carbon monoxide itself can kill brain cells, but the reason brain
cells die in carbon monoxide poisoning is mostly due to the fact that
inadequate amounts of oxygen get to the brain. To avoid carbon monoxide
poisoning, take necessary household precautions such as installing a
detector and check for burning.
32) Getting Lyme disease
— Severe forms of Lyme disease cause memory impairments and brain cell
loss if left untreated for a long period of time. Lyme disease is
usually carried by deer ticks, but can be found in other types of ticks.
To avoid Lyme disease, it is recommended to always check your body
after long expeditions through the woods.
33) Getting a concussion –
Unfortunately most people don’t have much control over getting
concussions. The fact is, concussions are neuronal killers and should be
avoided if at all possible. There are special precautions to take to
avoid concussions such as: wearing a helmet in contact sports, wearing a
helmet when riding your motorcycle, even wearing a helmet when riding
your bike.
34) Certain types of cosmetics –
Certain types of cosmetics have been proven to have an adverse
interaction with mental health. Some forms of shampoo have ingredients
that have been shown to kill brain cells. Be aware that certain types of cosmetics have ingredients that will kill or damage your brain cells.
35) Using cleaning solvents
— Taking a good whiff of a solvent can really knock you out! If
“sniffed” with the purpose to get high, solvents can cause severe brain
damage and possibly death. They can cause severe learning impairments,
declined social functioning, and reduce the capacity of your short-term
memory. Most cleaning solvents, when used properly for their
intended purpose (to clean), will not cause any harm. If you know
someone that is abusing solvents, get them help! You are not only
helping their brain, you are helping their life!
36) Ingesting aspartame
— In case you didn’t know, aspartame is an artificial sweetener found
in gum, candy, and Nutra-Sweet. Several studies made connections that
link aspartame to brain cell destruction. It is a very controversial
substance that has been proven to be bad for health in some studies, and
has been proven safe in others. Either way, I’d avoid aspartame; it’s
nothing to risk your brain cells over.
37) Indoor air pollution
— Indoor air pollution affects the spinal cord, kidneys, blood cells,
central nervous system, and the brain. Depending on the type of indoor
air pollution, effects can range from being unnoticeable to causing
brain cell loss. It is important to keep the air inside of your home and
business clean and safe to breathe. Don’t underestimate the potential
of indoor air pollution to be detrimental to the health of your body and
mind!
38) Lack of quality sleep
— We all know that when we don’t get enough sleep, we cannot properly
function the next day! Not only does lack of quality sleep interfere
with learning and social functions (left-hemisphere), it does kill brain
cells. In order to prevent brain cell loss from lack of sleep, it is
recommended to get good quality sleep. Some people run effectively on
just 6 hours of sleep, while some need 9 to keep a clear head. You be
the judge of what works best for your body and brain!
39) Using heroin – As
you probably expected, using heroin will kill your brain cells. Heroin
has been linked to Alzheimer-like brain damage. Opiate use has been
associated with sped up aging in the brain. Heroin causes nerve-cell
damage in essential parts of the brain. Don’t let a drug like Heroin
ruin your brain and your life!
40) Paint remover —
When you put paint remover on paint, it eats it away. When you inhale
paint remover, it eats away at your brain! Paint remover, when sniffed,
crosses the blood-brain barrier and eats away at your brain tissue and
cells. Make the decision to help others that have a problem with
“sniffing” or “huffing” paint remover by getting them psychological
assistance and being around for support.
41) Welding fumes —
Exposure to welding fumes is an extreme health hazard. Welding rod fumes
have been linked to Parkinson’s disease and many other illnesses. Most
fumes from welding are produced during “arc-welding.” The fumes enter
and damage your lungs, nervous system, and deplete brain cells. If you
are a welder, you may want to check out this informational guide from
the American Society of Safety Engineers.
42) Outdoor air pollution –
Like indoor air pollution, outdoor air pollution can have terrible
side-effects. Places like Mexico City have so much air pollution that
many citizens chose to wear masks and filters to protect themselves.
Depending on the type and severity of the air pollution, you can
potentially lose a lot of brain tissue. Chemical gases build up quickly
and mix with each other, those gases get trapped in the environment,
people inhale the gases, and brain damage / cell loss is a result.
43) Microwaving “popcorn”
— It doesn’t really matter what you are microwaving, if you stand close
enough to the microwave or have a “microwave” leakage, you are killing
your brain cells. By just standing close to a microwave that is fully
sealed while operating, you do risk losing some brain cells — but not
nearly as many as if there were a microwave leakage. It is important to
always check up on your microwave and to repair any possible leaks. It
is recommended to always stand a minimum of 2 feet away from microwaves
while they are cooking.
44) Having narcolepsy –
Having narcolepsy — a disorder characterized by excessive daytime
sleepiness and uncontrollably falling asleep at random times. Research
has shown that having narcolepsy kills “hypocretin” brain cells which
are located in the hippocampus. Individuals without narcolepsy have
around 70,000 hypocretin brain cells, while narcoleptics have have
between 3,000 to 10,000 (a significantly lower amount). Luckily new
advances and treatments are constantly being developed to help with
narcolepsy!
45) Formaldehyde —
Formaldehyde can be found in forest fires, automobile exhaust, and
tobacco smoke. Formaldehyde can deplete brain cells and decreases cell
counts within the brain. Formaldehyde exposure can cause burning of the
eyes and nose, coughing, difficulty breathing, and could possibly cause
leukemia. For great physical and mental health, formaldehyde exposure
should be avoided.
46) Radiation treatment
— It is not surprising that radiation treatment damages brain cells.
After all, radiation treatment works to damage the DNA of cancerous
cells. Some other cells happen to get hit with the radiation intended to
take out the cancer cells, and healthy brain cells die. Most medically
accepted treatments of cancer involve the killing of both healthy and
unhealthy brain cells.
47) Taking the chemical MPTP — MPTP is a neurotoxin that causes permanent
symptoms of Parkinson’s disease by killing neurons in the substantia
nigra area of the brain. It’s scary that there’s an illicit drug like
this… Hopefully you never even hear about MPTP other than on the
internet.
48) Laughing gas a.K.a. nitrous oxide
— When nitrous oxide is used in a controlled setting like the dentist’s
office, it is fine and will not cause brain damage — the amount of the
substance is carefully monitored. It is when nitrous oxide is illicitly
used and abused that results in brain damage and cell loss. No need to
freak out the next time the dentist uses this stuff. Don’t use this
stuff in a non-medical setting and you’ll be fine.
49) Using ketamine –
The use of ketamine, a common type of anesthesia, prevents brain cells
from picking up “glutamate” — a protein which is essential for cell
communication and survival. Like nitrous oxide, ketamine use should be
limited to medical professionals. Using the proper amount of ketamine
probably won’t do much damage.
50) Taking PCP – Most
commonly referred to as “angel dust,” the drug PCP (Phencyclidine) can
cause memory problems, inability to control thoughts, and compulsive
action. PCP has been correlated with frontal-lobe brain damage and like
most drugs, aids in the process of brain cell death. PCP is dangerous,
triggers dangerous behavior, and should be avoided to keep a healthy
brain.
There are more drugs and activities that weren’t mentioned that kill brain cells. I recommend checking out the article: 50 Ways To Boost Your Brain Power to keep your brain healthy and to avoid unnecessarily killing brain cells!
By Drew from - 4Mind4Life
1) Food additives —
Food additives contain a group of compounds commonly referred to as
“exotoxins,” which slow and destroy cognitive development in the brain.
“Exotoxins” are not just present in a few foods; they are present in
virtually ALL processed foods. To avoid future health problems and keep a
healthy brain, your best bet is to eat healthy, non-processed foods.
2) Exposure to pesticides
— It is always important to take the necessary precautions when working
with pesticides or being in an area around pesticides. Pesticides kill
brain cells quickly and cause abnormal mental and physical development.
If you are in an environment where pesticide exposure is common, get
out, save yourself, or report the company and people using the
pesticides to proper authorities. Pesticides are linked to Parkinson’s
disease and many other forms of mental illness!
3) Too much stress — A
little bit of stress is healthy for everyone. It keeps you motivated and
motivated to achieve goals. When stress gets out of hand to the point
where you’re having adrenaline rushes, your body produces an excess of
the chemical “cortisol.” Too much of that cortisol is what kills brain
cells. Please don’t stress after reading this.
4) Exposure to electricity
— Short and long-term exposure to electricity has terrible effects on
your brain. Electricity doesn’t just cause you to lose a few brain cells
either, it causes you to lose millions! If you or anyone you know works
with electricity on a consistent basis, you may want to take special
precautions or reconsider!
5) Rapidly shaking your head –
Rapidly shaking your head around back and forth causes axons to tear,
this causes brain cell death. A very easy way to prevent brain cell loss
is by NOT shaking your head. You have complete control over the shaking
of your head; don’t do it!
6) Eating junk food —
What happens to your brain cells when they aren’t provided with the
healthy nutrients they need to survive? They starve and die! A little
bit of junk food won’t hurt, but unhealthy food on a consistent basis
without any healthy food will cause brain cells to die. Again, you have
complete control over what you choose to eat. Pick healthy foods and
give your brains the adequate nutrients that they need to flourish.
7) Drinking too much alcohol
— How many brain cells does one beer kill? Chances are good that
drinking just one beer won’t kill any. Getting drunk probably won’t even
kill any brain cells. Alcohol can cause a temporary chemical imbalance
and structural changes. If you are an alcoholic or you frequently “drink
too much alcohol,” you will most likely kill brain cells. MRI’s of
alcoholic patients show a decreased brain volume.
8 ) Taking ecstasy (MDMA) –
Common-day club drug, Ecstasy literally puts holes in your brain. Brain
scans have compared healthy brains to brains of those who’ve used
ecstacy and have found that the “brains on ecstasy” had holes in them.
Ecstasy depletes serotonin manufacturing cells, which are important for
keeping a positive mood and promoting relaxation. If you frequently go
“clubbing” make the choice to stay away from “X,” as it is very common
in clubs. Avoid this drug, and your brain will be much healthier than if
you didn’t.
9) Dehydration –
Without sufficient levels of water in the brain, ions get disrupted and
the result is brain damage. Replenish your body and brain with necessary
water levels to avoid dehydration and keep your brain cells healthy.
10) Using methamphetamines –
Taking methamphetamines is probably the most uneducated decision you
could possibly make. Not only are they one of the most addicting groups
of drugs, they destroy lives and kill brain cells.
The sad part is, methamphetamine use results in severe to permanent
brain damage even long after the drug has been stopped. In my opinion,
methamphetamines are the most dangerous group of drugs to get involved
with. Stay away from them, get help now if you use them, and help a
friend if you know they are a user.
11) Getting a contusion –
A contusion is a severe bruise within the brain. It does cause neuronal
death (brain cell death). Unfortunately, most people that have
contusions couldn’t really do much to avoid them. Sports like boxing
where taking jabs to the head is common, influences the development of
contusions. Safety precautions: wear a helmet or hardhat when debris or
other objects have potential to damage your head. The great-est Mohammed
Ali suffered brain contusions from his heavy involvement in boxing.
12) Having a stroke – A
stroke results from temporary loss of blood-flow to the brain. Usually,
the damage from having a stroke is centralized in just one side of the
brain. Strokes can cause anything from small lesions, to widespread cell
death. Unfortunately strokes cannot be avoided, but there are things
that you can do to reduce your risk: lowering stress levels and staying
active are just a couple healthy activities that reduce risk of a
stroke. An interesting fact: millions of brain cells die each minute a stroke is left untreated.
13) Avoiding exercise —
The act of avoiding exercise doesn’t kill brain cells, however, the
effects that are associated with lack of exercise happen to be killers.
Exercise reduces stress levels, chance of brain damage, and even creates
new brain cells. If you are avoiding exercise, you happen to be setting
your brain cells up for an early death. Make time in your schedule to
exercise and reap the benefits; exercise should never be avoided.
14) Sensory deprivation –
We know from my “hearing voices” article that sensory deprivation may
cause you to have auditory hallucinations. When your brain undergoes
sensory deprivation for longer periods of time, you lose brain cells.
When cells are not stimulated for long periods of time, your brain
reorganizes itself; you naturally lose the unused, understimulated
cells.
15) Taking absinthe —
Most types of absinthe contain extremely high amounts of ethanol and a
chemical called thujone; both of which can cause brain cell death.
Thujone has the opposite effects of barbiturates like Xanax and in high
doses can cause seizures and possibly death. It is definitely best to
avoid absinthe and not put your brain at risk of damage.
16) Drinking too much water
— The act of drinking too much water in too short of time period will
actually flood your nervous system and kill off brain cells. How exactly
does this work? When the ratio of water to sodium escalates, your brain
swells and brain cells die in the process. Individuals on low-sodium
diets may be especially vulnerable to “water toxicity.” It is important
to stay hydrated, but be reasonable; you know what’s right for your
body. Don’t go overboard and kill off your brain cells!
17) Being a chronic negative thinker
— The act of simply thinking negative will not cause any sort of brain
cell loss. Most people have negative thoughts that creep in their
consciousness from time to time. It is when the negative thinking takes
over, gets “out of line” and causes stress, and you to make unwise
decisions such as taking drugs like Ecstasy to improve your mood at the
club when you are probably losing brain cells. The side-effects and
byproducts from negative thoughts are what make you more likely to
engage in activities that kill brain cells. Negative thinking is an
indirect killer; surround yourself with positivity and a healthy circle
of friends!
18) Post traumatic stress disorder –
Victims of post-traumatic stress disorder unfortunately deal with
memory problems, anxiety, flashbacks, and happen to lose brain cells in
the process. Post traumatic stress disorder causes the brain to produce a
surplus of the stress hormone “cortisol,” which kills brain cells. Like
other stress related disorders, they don’t lose a huge amount of brain
cells overnight, but they definitely can lose a significant amount if
they don’t get adequate assistance and treatment.
19) Head trauma – The
scary thing about head trauma is that it not only kills brain cells, it
also damages the brain’s ability to repair itself after the damage. Head
trauma is linked to Parkinson’s disease and poor sensorimotor
processing within the brain — always try to protect your head whenever
engaging in a contact sport, working construction, riding a motorcycle,
etc.
20) Elevated testosterone levels — Having too high of testosterone levels has been proven to be detrimental to your brain’s health and does
kill brain cells. If you are taking supplements that increase
testosterone levels, be aware that too much of the supplement could
potentially cause the death of your brain cells!
21) Chemotherapy — Unfortunately for those who have undergone chemotherapy, the process not only kills the cancerous cells, but many of your good brain cells.
In order to avoid cancer, take steps to reduce your risk of developing
cancer such as: eating healthy, exercising, getting proper sleep, etc.
Not everyone is able to avoid cancer, but you can certainly make an
effort to try.
22) A single stressful event
— Yes, you read correct — just ONE stressful event has the potential to
kill off brain cells. If you live in a high-stress environment, are
always on the go, and never take time to just chill, your mind is most
likely overactive and you are losing brain cells. If you know that you
will be exposed to stressful events, I recommend learning stress coping
methods like meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery, yoga, etc.
There are many things you can do to lower your stress response to hectic
events.
23) Smoking cigarettes —
The act of smoking cigarettes is not only detrimental to your physical
health — it could be taking a heavy toll on your mental health. The fact
is, scientists have found that “smoking” kills brain cells
and stops the production of new brain cells (neurogenesis). If you are a
smoker, work hard to kick the habit. If you are smoke-free, stay that
way and encourage smokers to quit.
24) Taking steroids —
Taking steroids is terrible for your brain and body. Steroids elevate
testosterone levels and increase stress levels: 2 activities [mentioned
earlier] that are known to deplete brain cell. Steroids cause early
death, an increased suicide risk, and give the user absolutely ZERO
fulfillment in the long-term. Take the time to lift the necessary
weights and don’t expect to get “ripped” overnight; you will be better
off in the grand scheme of life.
25) Extreme anxiety and panic
— Anxiety and panic in extreme situations will definitely provoke
feelings of stress, release cortisol, and will kill your brain cells in
severe forms. Light and moderate forms of anxiety and panic may feel
uncomfortable, but will probably not damage your brain. Learning
valuable coping techniques by visiting a psychotherapist, using
relaxation techniques consistently, and considering medication are all
things that will stop you from losing brain cells from anxiety and
panic.
26) Sniffing paint —
Yes, sniffing paint will give you a “high” for a while, but it can
really inflict severe brain damage. Avoid inhalants like paint and keep
your brain cells healthy. Even worse than just killing your brain cells
is the fact that sniffing paint has the potential to kill you — even on
your first time. Stay away from this stuff and get help now if you are
addicted.
27) Oxycodone abuse —
Oxycodone abuse kills brain cells, heart tissue, damages kidneys, and
has terrible side-effects. If you or someone you know abuses Oxycodone,
seek help immediately! Your brain and body will thank you in the long
run — Oxycodone is nothing to fool around with.
28) Taking cocaine –
Thank you captain obvious, right? It’s possible that not everyone out
there knew that cocaine killed brain cells. Cocaine doesn’t just kill
random brain cells either, it wipes out the brain cells in your brain’s
pleasure center — brain cells that make you feel good and are triggered
with positive emotion and pleasure. Want to keep having fun in life and
feel pleasure? Stay away from cocaine.
29) Exposure to lead —
It is known that the early exposure of lead may lead to later brain
aging in life. What about brain cell loss from lead exposure? Scientific
evidence shows that exposure to lead leads to brain cell loss and damage
years later. Scientists figure that a single exposure is equivalent to
at least 5 years of brain aging. Avoid lead exposure at all possible
costs and do what you’ve got to do to keep your brain healthy!
30) Mercury toxicity —
Chances are good that you probably know that avoiding exposure to
mercury is recommended. When a person is exposed to mercury, they can
develop what’s known as “mercury toxicity” in the brain. Mercury
toxicity is a known brain cell killer. I find it interesting that many
old, tooth-fillings could be releasing mercury into your body and you
could be a victim of mercury poisoning.
31) Carbon monoxide poisoning
— Yes carbon monoxide itself can kill brain cells, but the reason brain
cells die in carbon monoxide poisoning is mostly due to the fact that
inadequate amounts of oxygen get to the brain. To avoid carbon monoxide
poisoning, take necessary household precautions such as installing a
detector and check for burning.
32) Getting Lyme disease
— Severe forms of Lyme disease cause memory impairments and brain cell
loss if left untreated for a long period of time. Lyme disease is
usually carried by deer ticks, but can be found in other types of ticks.
To avoid Lyme disease, it is recommended to always check your body
after long expeditions through the woods.
33) Getting a concussion –
Unfortunately most people don’t have much control over getting
concussions. The fact is, concussions are neuronal killers and should be
avoided if at all possible. There are special precautions to take to
avoid concussions such as: wearing a helmet in contact sports, wearing a
helmet when riding your motorcycle, even wearing a helmet when riding
your bike.
34) Certain types of cosmetics –
Certain types of cosmetics have been proven to have an adverse
interaction with mental health. Some forms of shampoo have ingredients
that have been shown to kill brain cells. Be aware that certain types of cosmetics have ingredients that will kill or damage your brain cells.
35) Using cleaning solvents
— Taking a good whiff of a solvent can really knock you out! If
“sniffed” with the purpose to get high, solvents can cause severe brain
damage and possibly death. They can cause severe learning impairments,
declined social functioning, and reduce the capacity of your short-term
memory. Most cleaning solvents, when used properly for their
intended purpose (to clean), will not cause any harm. If you know
someone that is abusing solvents, get them help! You are not only
helping their brain, you are helping their life!
36) Ingesting aspartame
— In case you didn’t know, aspartame is an artificial sweetener found
in gum, candy, and Nutra-Sweet. Several studies made connections that
link aspartame to brain cell destruction. It is a very controversial
substance that has been proven to be bad for health in some studies, and
has been proven safe in others. Either way, I’d avoid aspartame; it’s
nothing to risk your brain cells over.
37) Indoor air pollution
— Indoor air pollution affects the spinal cord, kidneys, blood cells,
central nervous system, and the brain. Depending on the type of indoor
air pollution, effects can range from being unnoticeable to causing
brain cell loss. It is important to keep the air inside of your home and
business clean and safe to breathe. Don’t underestimate the potential
of indoor air pollution to be detrimental to the health of your body and
mind!
38) Lack of quality sleep
— We all know that when we don’t get enough sleep, we cannot properly
function the next day! Not only does lack of quality sleep interfere
with learning and social functions (left-hemisphere), it does kill brain
cells. In order to prevent brain cell loss from lack of sleep, it is
recommended to get good quality sleep. Some people run effectively on
just 6 hours of sleep, while some need 9 to keep a clear head. You be
the judge of what works best for your body and brain!
39) Using heroin – As
you probably expected, using heroin will kill your brain cells. Heroin
has been linked to Alzheimer-like brain damage. Opiate use has been
associated with sped up aging in the brain. Heroin causes nerve-cell
damage in essential parts of the brain. Don’t let a drug like Heroin
ruin your brain and your life!
40) Paint remover —
When you put paint remover on paint, it eats it away. When you inhale
paint remover, it eats away at your brain! Paint remover, when sniffed,
crosses the blood-brain barrier and eats away at your brain tissue and
cells. Make the decision to help others that have a problem with
“sniffing” or “huffing” paint remover by getting them psychological
assistance and being around for support.
41) Welding fumes —
Exposure to welding fumes is an extreme health hazard. Welding rod fumes
have been linked to Parkinson’s disease and many other illnesses. Most
fumes from welding are produced during “arc-welding.” The fumes enter
and damage your lungs, nervous system, and deplete brain cells. If you
are a welder, you may want to check out this informational guide from
the American Society of Safety Engineers.
42) Outdoor air pollution –
Like indoor air pollution, outdoor air pollution can have terrible
side-effects. Places like Mexico City have so much air pollution that
many citizens chose to wear masks and filters to protect themselves.
Depending on the type and severity of the air pollution, you can
potentially lose a lot of brain tissue. Chemical gases build up quickly
and mix with each other, those gases get trapped in the environment,
people inhale the gases, and brain damage / cell loss is a result.
43) Microwaving “popcorn”
— It doesn’t really matter what you are microwaving, if you stand close
enough to the microwave or have a “microwave” leakage, you are killing
your brain cells. By just standing close to a microwave that is fully
sealed while operating, you do risk losing some brain cells — but not
nearly as many as if there were a microwave leakage. It is important to
always check up on your microwave and to repair any possible leaks. It
is recommended to always stand a minimum of 2 feet away from microwaves
while they are cooking.
44) Having narcolepsy –
Having narcolepsy — a disorder characterized by excessive daytime
sleepiness and uncontrollably falling asleep at random times. Research
has shown that having narcolepsy kills “hypocretin” brain cells which
are located in the hippocampus. Individuals without narcolepsy have
around 70,000 hypocretin brain cells, while narcoleptics have have
between 3,000 to 10,000 (a significantly lower amount). Luckily new
advances and treatments are constantly being developed to help with
narcolepsy!
45) Formaldehyde —
Formaldehyde can be found in forest fires, automobile exhaust, and
tobacco smoke. Formaldehyde can deplete brain cells and decreases cell
counts within the brain. Formaldehyde exposure can cause burning of the
eyes and nose, coughing, difficulty breathing, and could possibly cause
leukemia. For great physical and mental health, formaldehyde exposure
should be avoided.
46) Radiation treatment
— It is not surprising that radiation treatment damages brain cells.
After all, radiation treatment works to damage the DNA of cancerous
cells. Some other cells happen to get hit with the radiation intended to
take out the cancer cells, and healthy brain cells die. Most medically
accepted treatments of cancer involve the killing of both healthy and
unhealthy brain cells.
47) Taking the chemical MPTP — MPTP is a neurotoxin that causes permanent
symptoms of Parkinson’s disease by killing neurons in the substantia
nigra area of the brain. It’s scary that there’s an illicit drug like
this… Hopefully you never even hear about MPTP other than on the
internet.
48) Laughing gas a.K.a. nitrous oxide
— When nitrous oxide is used in a controlled setting like the dentist’s
office, it is fine and will not cause brain damage — the amount of the
substance is carefully monitored. It is when nitrous oxide is illicitly
used and abused that results in brain damage and cell loss. No need to
freak out the next time the dentist uses this stuff. Don’t use this
stuff in a non-medical setting and you’ll be fine.
49) Using ketamine –
The use of ketamine, a common type of anesthesia, prevents brain cells
from picking up “glutamate” — a protein which is essential for cell
communication and survival. Like nitrous oxide, ketamine use should be
limited to medical professionals. Using the proper amount of ketamine
probably won’t do much damage.
50) Taking PCP – Most
commonly referred to as “angel dust,” the drug PCP (Phencyclidine) can
cause memory problems, inability to control thoughts, and compulsive
action. PCP has been correlated with frontal-lobe brain damage and like
most drugs, aids in the process of brain cell death. PCP is dangerous,
triggers dangerous behavior, and should be avoided to keep a healthy
brain.
There are more drugs and activities that weren’t mentioned that kill brain cells. I recommend checking out the article: 50 Ways To Boost Your Brain Power to keep your brain healthy and to avoid unnecessarily killing brain cells!
