The benefits of talk therapy extend beyond the psychological; they are physiological. Evidence shows that therapeutic conversation reduces stress, which in turn lowers measurable markers of inflammation in the blood, linking mental and immune health.
The temporary feeling of depression after a vaccine is a direct physiological response. The immune system's activation sends inflammatory signals to the brain, mimicking the biological state found in chronic depression and suggesting an immune basis for mood disorders.
Not flossing allows harmful, inflammation-loving microbes to thrive in your gums. These microbes can travel from the mouth to the brain, triggering inflammation that significantly increases the risk of developing dementia, according to new research.
Contrary to the belief that the brain commands the body, the gut-brain axis is dominated by signals flowing from the gut *to* the brain via the vagus nerve. This reframes the brain as an organ that primarily responds to information from the gut.
Time-restricted eating (fasting for 12-14 hours) is crucial for gut health. This rest period allows a specific group of microbes to emerge and perform essential maintenance, cleaning and repairing the gut lining to prevent inflammation.
The benefits of fermented foods aren't limited to live probiotics. Dead microbes, or "postbiotics," still have cell walls that can "tickle" your immune cells as they pass through the gut, sending signals that help calm down inflammation.
For drug-resistant childhood epilepsy, the ketogenic diet is a primary medical treatment. It works by switching the brain's fuel source from glucose to ketones, a process that acts like a hard reset for brain function, calming erratic neural activity.
Severe trauma in early life can cause a lasting physiological change. It can trigger the immune system to remain in a heightened state, permanently raising baseline inflammation levels and increasing the risk for numerous brain diseases later in life.
Evidence indicates Parkinson's originates with gut problems and inflammation. Misfolded proteins form in the gut and slowly travel up the vagus nerve to the brain over 10 years, eventually causing motor symptoms, suggesting gut health is key to prevention.
The "zero fat" label often serves as a misleading health halo. To remove fat, manufacturers frequently add starchy, artificial fillers and sugars to maintain taste and texture, making the product more processed and less healthy than its full-fat counterpart.
GLP-1 agonists not only reduce hunger but also curb addictive behaviors like gambling. This suggests they impact the brain's fundamental reward systems, which could inadvertently blunt the risk-taking appetite essential for roles like entrepreneurship.
Large-scale genetic studies suggest many distinct brain diseases (mania, depression, ADHD, Alzheimer's) are not separate conditions. Instead, they may be different expressions of a single, general genetic susceptibility to brain dysfunction, which researchers call "Factor P".