8 frequent habits that kill neurons

The human brain is one of the most complex systems that exist in nature, but it is also relatively fragile.

The balances you need to stay in good health can be upset by a great deal of variety of situations and, in particular, are greatly affected by harmful habits that destroy our neurons.

In the same way that our nerve cells are involved in thousands of processes that influence Our lives, what we do and the routines we adopt also condition the well-being of people. neurons. And, since there are so many of them in our brain, sometimes we don't realize that little by little we are leaving many behind along the way, more than what would be normal for our age.

That is why knowing these habits that destroy neurons is important if we want to stay in good health in the present and in the future.

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Main habits that destroy neurons

This list of routines and customs that damage the health of our brain contains actions and states that, by omission or by commission, wear down our mental capacities, some of it in the short term and regardless of the permanent damage that cause. Let's see what they are.

1. Stress

Stress not only makes us feel bad, it also destroys neurons, especially if it becomes chronic.

This occurs because this state is associated with a large release of cortisol, a hormone that is used to divert resources to biological processes that give more importance to the here and now in order to get out of trouble urgent. One of the side effects of large amounts of cortisol is that the neurons are more neglected and, in addition, the immune system is weakened.

2. Lack of sleep

There are numerous investigations that relate prolonged lack of sleep with the death of neurons and the decrease of some parts of the brain, among which is the hippocampus.

This kind of damage produces, in the long term, memory problems, and also affect the ability to concentrate.

3. monotony

Lifestyles based on monotony make the variety of ways in which neurons connect to each other more limited, and this means that the least used ones end up dying. It's that easy: nerve cells that cannot be used, disappear.

4. Take drugs

This is one of the best known effects of drugs. Chemical addiction causes all mental functions to focus on obtaining a new dose, neglecting the maintenance tasks of the nervous system. On the other hand, the interference of foreign substances in the functioning of neurons causes many of them to age and die prematurely.

5. consume tobacco

Technically both tobacco is a drug, so this should come as no surprise: Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's harmless.. Its substances are capable of generating a very serious addiction and permanently damage our neurons.

6. Breathing in contaminated environments

Brain It is one of the sets of organs of the human body that consume more resources. A large number of the toxic particles that we absorb daily will end up there, despite the fact that the blood-brain barrier protects us from many of them.

7. Dehydrate

When we notice that we are thirsty, it is important to quench it as soon as possible, since otherwise our body it will begin to extract water from the cells of our body, causing some to die. And yes, of the neurons too.

8. work with fever

When we are sick we are particularly vulnerable, and any activity that requires effort It can force our body so much that permanent damage is produced at the microscopic level. In those situations, it is much better to let them take care of us and stop worrying about secondary issues.

A healthier life to preserve brain health

In short, there are many negative day-to-day habits that damage our neurons. Although at first we may think that a carefree lifestyle that does not take health into account harms the body and that's it, it is necessary to remember that our brain is part of that body. They are not two separate things, in the same way that there is no fundamental distinction between mind and matter; in psychology and science in general, dualism has been ruled out.

That is why a healthy life will have a positive impact on both the appearance of our body and the good state of our functions. mental, despite the fact that the effects on the latter are not immediately noticeable and are more concealed due to the lack of a mirror in which to check their state. Avoiding these neuron-destroying habits can be a good start to live better.

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