The amount of plastic in our brain has increased 50 times in 8 years

Plastics are everywhere, including in our brains. According to a article published by the US National Library of Medicine, human brain samples collected in 2024 contained 50% more plastic particles than samples collected in 2016. The researchers found that, on average, 0.48% of the human brain currently contains microplastics and nanoplastics.

For the study, scientists collected liver, kidney and brain samples from autopsies performed between 2016 and 2024. They found plastic particles in all samples, but the amount found in the brain was highest – seven to 30 times greater than in other organs.

“Somehow, these nanoplastics find a way to infiltrate our bodies and get to the brain, crossing the blood-brain barrier,” lead author Matthew Campen told CNN.

“Plastics love fats, that is, lipids. One possible theory is that they get into our system by hitching a ride on the fats we eat, which are then transported to the organs that really like lipids. The brain is at the top of that list.”

The type present in the greatest quantity was polyethylene, which represented 74% of the plastic found in the brain, and between 44% and 57% of the plastic found in the liver and kidneys. Polyethylene is the most widely used plastic in the world, generally in the production of packaging. It is found in items such as plastic film, bags and bottles.

While it's not yet clear how this will affect people's health, researchers have noted that there is a link between microplastics and increased rates of Alzheimer's and dementia.

“The intersection between current data, which indicate a trend of increasing concentration (of plastics) in the brain, the increasing presence of microplastics in the environment and the increase in cases (of Alzheimer's and dementia) in the world highlights the urgency of understanding the impacts of plastic on the health of the population”, write the authors of the study.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shalene Gupta is a journalist and writer, co-author of the book “The Power of Trust: How Companies Build It, Lose It, Regain It”. learn more

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