Content Library Longevity Journal

What Microplastics Are Doing to Your Brain—and How to Limit Exposure

March 3, 2025

A new study finding might make your head hurt. 

University of New Mexico scientists report that microplastics—tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size—have been found in human brains for the first time.¹

In fact, the researchers report microplastic levels were 7 to 30 times higher than the levels found in the kidney and liver. 

That sounds pretty terrifying, but these findings aren’t even the most concerning part of what the scientists uncovered.

Read on to learn how fast microplastics in the brain are increasing—and what their presence might be doing to your cognitive health.

Plastics in the Brain: Rising Fast

Before we talk about what the researchers found, you should know this study wasn’t done on living humans. The scientists used cadavers because they needed samples of actual brain tissue to measure the plastic. (And no one’s in a hurry to volunteer for that.)

Some of the cadavers were from 2016, and others were from 2024. Here’s why that matters: The brain samples from 2024 contained 50 percent more plastic than those from 2016.

The researchers speculate this could be due to the “exponentially increasing environmental concentrations” of microplastics. That’s a worrying trend, considering plastic exposure was already a concern in 2016.

What Does This Mean for Brain Health?

Here’s what’s most troubling: The brains of individuals diagnosed with dementia had the highest concentrations of microplastics, especially in blood vessel walls and immune cells.

Now, you might think, ‘Maybe this is just a byproduct of aging—older people accumulate more plastic over time.’ But the study found that age itself wasn’t linked to plastic buildup. 

That’s important because dementia risk increases with age. If plastic buildup were simply an effect of getting older, you’d expect to see more microplastics in the brains of all older adults—not just those with dementia. 

But that’s not what happened. 

Instead, people with dementia had significantly higher plastic levels than those without dementia, regardless of age.

This raises big questions: Could microplastics be contributing to neurodegeneration? 

Or do people with dementia have a harder time clearing these particles from their brains? 

Scientists don’t have those answers yet, but regardless, the accumulation of shards and flakes (yes, “shards and flakes”) of microplastics in human brains is alarming. 

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What Can You Do to Protect Your Brain?

Just to be clear, this study found a link between microplastics and dementia, but it doesn’t prove that plastics cause cognitive decline. More research is needed to figure out what’s really going on.

In the meantime, plastic is everywhere—from bottled water to food packaging to the air we breathe. While this study focused on the brain, other research has found microplastics in the lungs, placenta, and bloodstream. 

So, how can you minimize your exposure? Start with the basics.

• Stop drinking from plastic bottles. Single-use plastic bottles shed microplastics over time, especially when exposed to heat.  Use stainless steel or glass bottles instead.
  
  
• Avoid foods sold in plastic. Processed and packaged foods often come in plastic that can shed microplastics into your food.
  
  
• Bring your own cup. Disposable coffee cups often have plastic linings that can break down under heat, and plastic lids may shed microplastics or leach chemicals. Opt for a reusable stainless steel or ceramic mug.
   
• Use glass, stainless steel, or ceramic containers for food storage. And especially avoid heating food in plastic containers, as heat can cause microplastics and chemicals to leach into your meals.
  
  
• Skip plastic utensils and straws. These can shed microplastics, especially when they degrade or come into contact with hot foods and drinks.

This is a short list, to be sure, but small, everyday choices can help reduce your overall exposure. 

For a deeper dive into environmental toxins and more strategies for protecting your and your family’s well-being, check out: The Toxic Truth: How Environmental Pollutants Threaten Your Health.

References

1. Nihart AJ, Garcia MA, El Hayek E, Liu R, Olewine M, Kingston JD, et al. Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains. Nat Med. 2025 Feb 3.