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8 frequent habits that kill neurons

8 frequent habits that kill neurons

March 29, 2024

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 altered by a variety of situations and, in particular, are greatly affected by the harmful habits that destroy our neurons.

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


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

  • Maybe you're interested: "10 tricks to improve the health of your brain"

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 commission, wear down our mental capacities, some of them in the short term and independently of the permanent damage they 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 used to divert resources to the biological processes that give more importance to the here and now to get out of urgent problems. One of the side effects of large amounts of cortisol is that neurons are left unattended and, in addition, the immune system is weakened .

2. Lack of sleep

There are numerous investigations that relate the lack of prolonged 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. The monotony

Lifestyles based on monotony mean that the variety of ways in which neurons connect with each other is more limited, and this means that the less used end up dying. It's that easy: nerve cells that can not be taken advantage of, disappear .


4. Take drugs

This is one of the best known effects of drugs. Chemical addiction means that all mental functions are aimed at obtaining a new dose, neglecting the maintenance tasks of the nervous system. On the other hand, the intrusion of foreign substances into the functioning of neurons it causes many of them to age and die prematurely.

5. Tobacco use

Technically both tobacco is a drug, so this should not surprise us: that is legal does not imply that it is not harmful . Its substances are capable of generating a very serious addiction and damage our neurons permanently.

6. Breathe in contaminated environments

Brain is one of the sets of organs in the human body that consume more resources . A lot of the toxic particles that we absorb daily will end there, even though the blood-brain barrier protects us from many of them.

7. Dehydrate

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

8. Work with fever

When we are sick we are particularly vulnerable, and any activity that requires effort can go so far as to force our body that permanent damage occurs 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 daily habits that damage our neurons. Although in the beginning we can think that a carefree lifestyle that does not take into account health 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 discarded.

That is why healthy life will have a positive effect both on the appearance of our body and on the good state of our mental functions, although the effects on the latter are not immediately apparent and are more disguised by the lack of a mirror in the one that check your status. Avoiding these destructive habits of neurons can be a good start to live better .

  • Related article: "Types of neurons: characteristics and functions"

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