Environmental Chemicals Can Interfere with Brain Functioning

And Dr. Daniel Amen Understands.

After studying over 140,000 brain scans in his 30-year career, he knows that substance abuse and drug abuse can affect brain functioning. And he understands the importance of avoiding toxicants. Because toxicants are also chemicals.

The Case of Marital Conflict.

When a couple underwent SPECT scans at Amen Clinics, the husband was asked if he did drugs. When he denied it, they asked what he did for a living. His response? “I finish furniture in a furniture factory.” So, he hadn’t abused prescription drugs or taken street drugs, but he was “doing drugs” at work every day as he breathed in the chemicals which in turn affected his brain functioning. The story and images of his brain are here.

What About Alzheimer’s Disease?

Why is there such a dramatic increase in risk for AD in the boomer generation vs their predecessors? Chronic exposure to environmental toxins, including organophosphate pesticides, has been suggested in studies to increase the risk of AD.

And Learning Disabilities?

These common pesticides have also been shown to potentially increase the risk of learning difficulties, and attention and behavioral problems in children. I wonder what will the rates for AD will be like in Gen Y and Millennials as they age?

But I Must Stress That…

When a child is born with an average of 287 toxicants in their blood and is then continuously exposed to environmental chemicals throughout their lifetime, this chemical slurry can upset nearly every function in the body.

Abnormal Behavior, Impulsivity, Aggression in Children.

Studies examining phthalates and PCBs have shown an increase in abnormal behavior and impulsivity in children, while gestational exposure to BPA has been shown to be associated with increased aggression.

New Jersey preschoolers have the highest autism rates in the nation.
But why? Could there be a connection to the levels of PFAS in the water? While I am certainly not claiming this is the only cause to the increase in autism, it is imperative that we consider the effect environmental contaminants have on health and well-being for the sake of future generations.