In this Think Thursday episode, Molly explores the growing field of environmental neuroscience and what new research is uncovering about microplastics and brain health. Microplastics are everywhere—from oceans and soil to food and even the air we breathe. While they have long been recognized as an environmental issue, scientists are now finding evidence that they may also influence how the brain functions and ages.

Molly explains how microplastics can interact with the brain through inflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupted signaling. She shares a striking new study linking microplastic exposure in genetically vulnerable mice to Alzheimer’s-like changes, and she unpacks what this might mean for humans. Alongside the science, Molly offers practical strategies to reduce exposure and emphasizes that protecting your brain is about progress, not perfection.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What microplastics are and how they enter our bodies
• Why researchers are concerned about their effects on the brain
• The role of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupted signaling in everyday symptoms like brain fog and mood changes
• How environmental exposures may interact with genetic risk factors for dementia
• Seven practical steps you can take to reduce microplastic exposure in daily life

Key Quote

“Protecting your brain is never about one big thing. It is about many small things working together. Alcohol, sleep, stress, nutrition, and yes, even the environment, are all parts of the same ecosystem.”

Resources and References

• Washington Post (Sept 2025): Study links microplastics to Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in mice
• World Health Organization reports on microplastic exposure
• Research on APOE4 and microplastic interactions in mouse models
• Previous Think Thursday episodes: World Brain Day—5 Habits to Keep Your Brain SHARP, Chronic Stress and Your Memory