Microplastics & Brain Health: What You Need to Know

Plastic in the Brain? A Growing Concern

Scientists at the University of New Mexico have made a startling discovery—microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, have been found in human brain tissue for the first time.¹

Even more concerning, the levels detected in the brain were 7 to 30 times higher than those found in the kidney and liver.

But that’s not even the most alarming part of the study.

Keep reading to learn how quickly microplastics in the brain are increasing—and what their presence could mean for cognitive health.

A Rapid Rise in Brain Microplastics

This study didn’t involve living subjects. Instead, researchers examined brain tissue from cadavers to measure plastic accumulation. Some of the samples were from 2016, while others were from 2024. The difference? The brain samples from 2024 contained 50% more plastic than those from 2016.

Scientists suggest this increase may be due to the rising concentration of microplastics in the environment—a trend that has been accelerating for years. If plastic exposure was already a concern in 2016, what does this mean for the future?

The Link Between Microplastics & Cognitive Health

Here’s what’s most unsettling: The highest levels of microplastics were found in the brains of individuals diagnosed with dementia, particularly in blood vessel walls and immune cells.

You might assume this is just a natural part of aging—that older individuals have had more time to accumulate plastic particles. But the study found no direct correlation between age and plastic buildup.

That’s significant because dementia risk increases with age. If microplastic accumulation was merely an effect of getting older, scientists would have found higher levels in all older adults—not just those with dementia. But that wasn’t the case.

This raises critical questions:

• Could microplastics play a role in cognitive decline?

• Or do individuals with dementia struggle to clear plastic particles from their brains?

How to Reduce Your Microplastic Exposure

While this study found a link between microplastics and dementia, it doesn’t confirm that plastics cause cognitive decline. More research is needed to understand the full impact. In the meantime, we do know that microplastics are everywhere—from bottled water and food packaging to the air we breathe.

While avoiding plastic entirely isn’t realistic, small, mindful choices can help reduce your exposure:

• Choose glass or stainless steel over plastic bottles. Single-use plastic bottles shed microplastics, especially when exposed to heat.

• Avoid plastic-packaged foods. Processed and packaged foods often come in plastic that can leach microplastics into your meals.

• Bring your own coffee cup. Disposable cups often contain plastic linings that break down under heat, and plastic lids can shed particles.

• Use non-plastic food storage containers. Opt for glass, stainless steel, or ceramic, and avoid heating food in plastic containers.

• Skip plastic utensils and straws. These break down over time, especially when they come into contact with hot food and drinks.

Reducing plastic exposure won’t happen overnight, but small, everyday choices add up. Choosing natural, high-quality ingredients and minimizing plastic use wherever possible is one step toward supporting overall wellness—from choosing glass to avoiding single-use plastics, our actions matter more than ever. Together, let’s prioritize our health and make mindful choices.

Reference: 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.