Plastic is not just around you — It’s getting inside you

Plastic is woven into the fabric of modern life. It is in our packaging, clothes, utensils and even the air we breathe.

But what many do not realise is that plastic pollution is no longer just an environmental concern — it’s becoming a direct health hazard.

Microscopic plastic particles, known as microplastics and nanoplastics, are increasingly being found inside the human body, including in the brain, raising serious questions about their long-term effects on health.

Microplastics and the human brain: A new frontier of concern

2025 study published in Science Advances has uncovered alarming evidence that microplastics are not only reaching the brain but may also be interfering with its function.

These tiny particles, reportedly, can disrupt cerebral blood flow, potentially contributing to neurological damage.

Using miniature two-photon microscopy, researchers observed the brains of live mice and found that microplastics introduced into the bloodstream were absorbed by immune cells.

These cells, now contaminated, became stuck in the narrow capillaries of the brain’s cortex, physically blocking blood flow. These blockages reduce oxygen and nutrient delivery to brain tissue, impairing movement, cognition and even memory.

The study further showed that the size of the plastic particles matters — larger microplastics (around five micrometres) were more likely to cause these obstructions than smaller ones.

As a result, the mice displayed behaviour consistent with anxiety, poor memory, reduced coordination and depression-like symptoms, providing a stark glimpse into how these pollutants could impact humans.

Your brain: A plastic magnet

Adding to the concern, another 2025 study in Nature Medicine analysed microplastic levels in human organs and found the brain contained significantly higher concentrations than the liver or kidneys.

Brain tissue harboured seven to 30 times more microplastics, suggesting it acts as a reservoir for these synthetic particles.

The most common plastic detected? Polyethylene — widely used in packaging and everyday items. The study also found a steep increase in microplastic levels from 2016 to 2024, indicating that our internal exposure is rising along with environmental contamination.

Perhaps most worryingly, the brains of people with dementia, including Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, had even higher levels of microplastics than those without.

Microscopic examination revealed shard-like plastic fragments lodged in inflamed areas of the brain and along blood vessel walls — suggesting a possible link between microplastic buildup and neurodegenerative disease.

How plastic reaches your brain through your nose?

In 2024, a JAMA Network Open case study uncovered a direct path for microplastics to travel from your nose to your brain. Researchers analysed the olfactory bulbs — the part of the brain that processes smell — of 15 deceased individuals in São Paulo, Brazil.

Shockingly, more than half of them had microplastics embedded within their olfactory tissue.

These plastic particles, measuring between 5.5 to 26.4 micrometres, are small enough to be inhaled and reach the base of the brain. The study identified polypropylene — a plastic commonly found in packaging and textiles — as the most prevalent polymer.

This discovery highlights the vulnerability of the olfactory pathway, which bypasses the protective blood-brain barrier, allowing pollutants direct access to brain tissue via the cribriform plate — a porous bone that connects the nasal cavity to the brain.

Previous research has already linked air pollution (like black carbon and PM2.5) to brain inflammation and disorders such as dementia. This new evidence confirms that inhaled microplastics can also exploit this route — potentially compounding the neurotoxic effects of environmental exposure.

What you can do to reduce exposure to microplastics?

While it’s nearly impossible to eliminate microplastics from your life entirely, there are concrete steps you can take to reduce your exposure — and protect your brain and body from the inside out.

Tap water is a known source of microplastics. Invest in a certified water filter designed to remove microplastics. For added precaution, boiling hard water before consumption can help reduce plastic particle content. If you must buy bottled water, choose glass instead of plastic.

Avoid plastic-wrapped foods and never microwave food in plastic containers. Opt for glass, stainless steel or ceramic containers. When shopping, look for food packaged in glass or paper-based alternatives. This drastically reduces plastic exposure from food handling.

3. Rethink your kitchen tools

Switch out plastic cutting boards, utensils and storage containers. Wooden or glass cutting boards are safer and don’t shed microplastic particles during food prep. Stainless steel utensils are also more durable and safer than plastic ones.

4. Choose natural fabrics and wash wisely

Your clothes release microplastics, especially synthetics like polyester and nylon. Choose natural fabrics like cotton, wool or linen. When washing synthetic clothing, use microfiber filters in your washing machine to prevent plastic fibres from entering waterways — and your body.

5. Balance hormones impacted by plastic exposure

Plastics contain xenoestrogens — endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen in your body, contributing to hormonal imbalances like estrogen dominance. This imbalance affects everything from mood to mitochondrial health.

One potential countermeasure is natural progesterone, which can help neutralise the harmful effects of these estrogen-mimicking chemicals.

While the priority should always be to minimise plastic contact, hormonal support may offer additional protection.

The evidence is mounting — microplastics are not just an environmental issue, they are a public health crisis. With their ability to cross into the brain, disrupt blood flow, and potentially contribute to diseases like dementia, it’s crucial to take this threat seriously.

While we may not be able to change the world overnight, we can start by changing what we bring into our homes, onto our plates, and into our bodies. It’s time to make conscious choices — for your brain, your health, and future generations.