In Case You Missed It - There's a lot of Microplastics in our Brains

Last April, a troubling news article reported that we have the equivalent of a plastic spoon full of microplastics in our brains.

This was reported, among other outlets, in the New York Times. An article by Nina Agrawal described this grim new situation. She reported that researchers at the University of New Mexico are uncovering how microplastics accumulate in human organs, including the brain. Their recent study found that brain samples from 2024 contained nearly 50% more microplastics than samples from 2016, with some brains containing the equivalent of about seven grams of plastic. People with dementia showed even higher levels, though it’s unclear whether the plastics contribute to disease or accumulate due to weaker biological barriers. The team has also found microplastics in human placentas, testes, kidneys, arteries, and more.

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/mri-images-of-the-brain-5723883/

The particles they’re detecting are extremely small — down to 200 nanometers, far smaller than what earlier studies could observe — which may explain how they enter organs. Many seem to come from older, heavily weathered plastics, not just fresh sources like water bottles or cutting boards. Because global plastic production has soared for decades, researchers expect microplastic exposure to continue rising even if production stopped today.

Despite growing concern, scientists still don’t know what doses are harmful or how these particles enter the body. Some worry that the lab’s measurements may include natural lipids, and more research is needed to confirm the findings. The team is now studying whether microplastics are linked to conditions like fertility issues, heart disease, and neurological problems, and is beginning controlled animal experiments to test toxicity at different doses.

Overall, the work highlights both the pervasiveness of microplastics and the major scientific uncertainties about how they affect human health — but early evidence suggests increasing accumulation over time and potential risks worth investigating.

We'll keep you updated on new developments.