Neuropathy "The Painful Enigma"

Metabolic syndrome is characterized as a collection of health issues that can increase the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. These health issues include increased blood pressure (greater than 130/85 mmHg), high blood sugar (insulin resistance), excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal triglyceride or cholesterol levels. Although having a single one of these health issues doesn’t necessarily mean that you may have metabolic syndrome, it can ultimately increase your risk of developing these other health issues. Approximately 23 percent of adults in the United States have metabolic syndrome, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). In the following article, we will discuss, what is metabolic syndrome?  

Research studies demonstrated that brain health may ultimately be associated with obesity. Scientists also reported that obesity affects the overall size and function of the brain, as well as specifically altering certain neuronal circuits. By way of instance, a recent research study found a connection between smaller brain size and lower gray matter volume associated with obesity around the stomach region. Another research study also found that the prefrontal cortex, an essential area in the brain that plays a fundamental role in thinking, planning, and self-control, is less active in people with obesity.  

Several other research studies have also found further evidence showing the connection between brain health and obesity. Dr. Ilona A. Dekkers, from the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, utilized MRI scans in several recent research studies to understand how obesity can affect the size and function of the brain. Dr. Dekkers reported lower gray matter volume in people with obesity. According to the research studies, people with obesity also had white matter volume changes in a variety of brain regions. In the following article, we will ultimately discuss how obesity can affect brain health. 

Understanding the Adrenal Fatigue Diet

As previously mentioned, adrenal fatigue is a health issue that occurs when the adrenal glands aren’t creating enough of the essential hormones we need for our everyday wellness. Fortunately, many healthcare professionals recommend following the adrenal fatigue diet to ultimately help improve symptoms. The adrenal fatigue diet is a nutritional treatment approach that helps improve adrenal fatigue. The adrenal fatigue diet can increase energy levels and control a variety of bodily functions because it promotes healthier eating habits and lifestyle modifications. Following the adrenal fatigue diet can help promote:  

• proper adrenal gland function
• increased nutrients in the body
• balanced blood pressure
• reduced stress levels

Moreover, the adrenal fatigue diet is similar to most balanced diets recommended by healthcare professionals, which typically include eating plenty of vegetables, high-protein foods, and whole grains. The goal of this nutritional treatment approach is to naturally increase your energy levels in order for the body not to burn too many essential nutrients. The adrenal fatigue diet is still being tested. Healthcare professionals are still performing research studies on adrenal fatigue. However, it has been demonstrated that eating a proper diet and lifestyle modifications can ultimately make you feel overall wellness.  

Dopamine and serotonin are known as the “happy chemicals” because they play a fundamental role in regulating our mood. These two neurotransmitters or chemical messengers control a variety of functions in the brain and body, including digestion and sleep. Although dopamine and serotonin are in charge of many of the same things, these happy chemicals do so in slightly different ways. Dopamine and serotonin deficiencies can also cause a variety of health issues, including mood changes and depression. In the following article, we will ultimately discuss the differences between dopamine and serotonin.  

What is a Neurotransmitter?

As previously mentioned, a neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger in the brain that sends signals to other areas of the body. Dopamine and serotonin are two of the many different types of neurotransmitters in the brain and body. Below is a list of some of the most well-known neurotransmitters, including:  

• Dopamine
• Serotonin
• Norepinephrine
• Acetylcholine
• Glycine
• Glutamate
• GABA

Understanding Neurotransmitters

Our brain is one of the most complex organs in the human body. The nervous system contains more than 100 billion nerves which are continuously sending signals from the brain to the rest of the body, ultimately regulating our mental and physical health. However, various factors can cause many problems. Dopamine and serotonin deficiencies, by way of instance, can cause a variety of mental and physical health issues, such as depression. While these two neurotransmitters are both commonly referred to as “happy chemicals”, it’s important to understand that dopamine and serotonin also play different roles.  

Serotonin is a well-known neurotransmitter that plays an essential role in various functions of the brain and body, including mood and digestion. This chemical messenger helps promote positive feelings and social behavior, control appetite, support learning and memory as well as regulate our circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle. However, serotonin deficiencies can also cause several health issues, including anxiety, depression, sleep problems, fatigue, abnormal appetite and cravings as well as nausea and digestive problems. In the following article, we will discuss natural ways to increase serotonin.  

Dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter that is associated with the pleasure and reward center of the brain. This chemical messenger also helps with a variety of other brain functions, including attention, memory, motivation, and movement. When the brain releases dopamine, it can stimulate us to do certain actions. Meanwhile, when there’s not enough dopamine in the brain, we can feel less encouraged to do the things we love doing. The nervous system generally regulates this essential neurotransmitter in the brain, however, there are several steps you can take to naturally increase your dopamine levels.  

Approximately 1 million people in the United States have Parkinson’s disease (PD) and about 60,000 more people are diagnosed with the movement disorder every year. Common PD symptoms can include, muscle soreness, spasms, and tremors, however, symptoms may be different for each person. Although further research studies are still required to determine the causes of PD, scientists have found that the movement disorder is associated with a lack of dopamine in the human body. Healthcare professionals are starting to look for ways to naturally increase dopamine through a patient’s diet.  

Other Parkinson’s disease symptoms, such as confusion and dementia, may also improve through diet and lifestyle modifications like exercise. Moreover, while drugs and/or medications, such as levodopa (Sinemet) and bromocriptine (Parlodel), are used to help control PD symptoms, there are currently no treatments that will help completely stop Parkinson’s disease symptoms and these can often have severe side effects. That’s why more people are starting to look for more natural treatments for Parkinson’s disease. In the following article, we will discuss the role of nutrition in Parkinson’s disease.  

Movement disorders are health issues that can cause abnormal and involuntary body movements. Many common movement disorders are frequently caused by problems in the transmission signals of the brain and they can ultimately affect quality, fluency, speed, and ease of movement. Movement disorders are also referred to as conversion disorders and/or psychogenic movement disorders. Damage, injuries or underlying conditions of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system don’t necessarily cause movement disorders. We will discuss the most common movement disorders, including:    

• Tremor: also known as an essential tremor or a resting tremor.
• Ataxia: characterized by “jerky” movements and coordination problems.
• Dystonia: characterized by abnormal, involuntary, and prolonged muscle contractions.
• Huntington’s disease: also known as chronic progressive chorea.
• Parkinson’s disease: one of the most “well-known” movement disorders, associated with tremor.
• Multiple system atrophies: also known as Shy-Drager syndrome.
• Myoclonus: characterized by rapid, brief, and irregular movements.
• Tourette’s syndrome: another “well-known” movement disorder, associated with repetitive or unwanted sounds and movements.
• Wilson’s disease: also known as an inherited health issue, associated with common symptoms and liver disease.
• Progressive supranuclear palsy: also known as a rare health issue that affects movement.

The blood-brain barrier is a protective shield that allows nutrients to enter the brain while keeping harmful components in the bloodstream from passing into the brain. However, many factors can cause a leaky blood-brain barrier. This can allow harmful components to penetrate the blood-brain brain, ultimately causing inflammation and brain health issues. A leaky blood-brain barrier is associated with many mental health issues and neurological diseases, including anxiety, depression, brain fog, fatigue, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia. In the article below, we will discuss natural ways which have been demonstrated to help fix a leaky blood-brain barrier and improve overall brain health.  

Our brain is a complex organ that controls many essential functions in our body. Therefore, brain health is vital for our survival. This is where the blood-brain barrier comes in. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) consists of a group of cells held together by “tight junctions” that protect the brain from potentially harmful components in the bloodstream. This security system only permits passage to certain molecules and keeps most other chemicals or substances out.  

Understanding a Leaky Brain

If damage due to an injury or underlying condition occurs, small gaps can start to develop in the tight junctions of the group of cells in the brain and potentially harmful components in the bloodstream can ultimately penetrate the BBB and enter the complex organ. This is known as a “leaky brain”. Several chemicals or substances can commonly cause brain inflammation. Research studies have demonstrated a connection between gut health and brain health. As a matter of fact, scientists have also determined that our gut microbiome, or the bacteria in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract, can affect our brain.  

The stomach and small intestine consist of a group of cells like the blood-brain barrier that also protects the gut from potentially harmful components in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Similar factors that cause a leaky gut can cause a leaky brain, including poor diet, food sensitivities or intolerances, infections, and toxins. Research studies have demonstrated that a protein found in wheat and gluten, known as gliadin, can increase the production of another protein known as zonulin. Zonulin can cause the tight junctions of the gut and BBB to become loose or broken, leading to a leaky brain and a leaky gut. 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), approximately 20 percent of the population in the United States are diagnosed with a brain health issue every year, with depression and phobias being the most common types of diagnosable mental health issues. Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the suicide rate in the United States had reached 13 for every 100,000 people in 2014, which is the highest it had ever been since 1986. Scientists are starting to associate brain health issues with inflammation and its effects on the blood-brain barrier.  

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a connection of blood vessels that protect the brain against harmful free radicals in the bloodstream. However, the blood-brain barrier is so effective at protecting the brain from these “harmful” components in the bloodstream, that it can ultimately even prevent drugs and/or medications from penetrating this security system to treat brain health issues. A research study published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics demonstrated that the effectiveness of antidepressants is only slightly more effective compared to placebos in the treatment of mental health issues.  

Blood vessels in the brain protect us from “harmful” components in the bloodstream. This is known as the blood-brain barrier. A Science Translational Medicine research study demonstrated how inflammation and cognitive impairment in a group of aging mice may be associated with the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier. In the following article, we will discuss how restoring the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier may improve overall brain health.  

What is a Leaky Blood-Brain Barrier?

Scientists determined that the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier can ultimately trigger a signaling protein in brain cells, known as astrocytes. They then created and evaluated a drug/medication that blocked the activation of the astrocytes, or the signaling protein known as the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Following the treatment, the group of aging mice demonstrated reduced brain inflammation and improved cognitive function.  

“Our team of scientists associates the aging brain in the same way we associate neurodegeneration. The aging brain is characterized by loss of cognitive function and dead brain cells,” stated Daniela Kaufer, co-senior author and professor of integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley. “However, our research study determined a different story about why the aging brain doesn’t function properly: It is because of brain fog,” she concluded.  

According to the research study, reducing inflammation and brain fog by restoring the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier can help improve the overall health and wellness of the aging brain. The results may also help scientists understand how cognitive impairment associated with inflammation and brain fog can accompany the aging brain and neurodegeneration as well as how the blood-brain barrier may be associated with improved brain function.  

Our brain is protected by the blood-brain barrier, a connection of blood vessels that permits the passage of important nutrients while blocking other compounds. However, this security system is so efficient at guarding the brain that it can frequently prevent many drugs and/or medications from being able to effectively treat a variety of brain health issues. Scientists are working towards developing ways to allow treatments to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.  

The brain depends on a variety of precise communication signals from the nerve cells to perform many fundamental functions. And it’s surrounding environment must remain stable to successfully send and receive transmissions. During the late 1800s, the outcome measures of a research study on the brain started a collection of experiments that demonstrated how the brain ultimately protects itself from the natural changes that happen in the body.  

Doctors understand that people with depression can experience weight gain and over time, it may eventually lead to obesity if left untreated. Depression is also associated with poor eating habits, overeating, and a more sedentary lifestyle. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 43 percent of people with depression have excess weight or obesity. In a 2002 research study, scientists found that children with depression had an increased risk of suffering from obesity. In the following article, we will discuss what you need to know about obesity and depression.  

Understanding Obesity and Depression

Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are associated with obesity. A 2010 research study found that about 55 percent of people with obesity had an increased risk of developing depression and other mental health issues compared to “healthy” people. Moreover, obesity can also cause a variety of other health issues, including joint pain, hypertension, and diabetes, among others. Anxiety, by way of instance, can also ultimately cause depression and obesity. Scientists believe that stress can make people turn to food as a coping mechanism. This can eventually lead to excess weight gain and obesity.  

Scientists were once hesitant to connect obesity and depression, however, further evidence from numerous research studies has demonstrated that excess weight or obesity can cause a variety of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Many doctors utilize a multi-pronged treatment approach to help improve a patient’s mental and physical health. Scientists still don’t quite understand how obesity is closely associated with depression but it is clear that there’s a connection between obesity and depression. Furthermore, research studies demonstrated that mental health issues may also cause obesity.  

Research studies demonstrated that brain health may ultimately be associated with obesity. Scientists also reported that obesity affects the overall size and function of the brain, as well as specifically altering certain neuronal circuits. By way of instance, a recent research study found a connection between smaller brain size and lower gray matter volume associated with obesity around the stomach region. Another research study also found that the prefrontal cortex, an essential area in the brain that plays a fundamental role in thinking, planning, and self-control, is less active in people with obesity.  

Scientists also demonstrated that a variety of specific brain cells or neuron can alter overeating habits in people with obesity. Several other research studies have also found further evidence showing the connection between brain health and obesity. Dr. Ilona A. Dekkers, from the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, utilized MRI scans to understand how obesity can affect the size and function of the brain. Dr. Dekkers reported lower gray matter volume in people with obesity. Dr. Ilona A. Dekkers also found evidence between the structure of the brain and obesity, known as morphology.  

How Obesity Can Affect Brain Health

Dr. Dekkers and her group of colleagues demonstrated in a series of research studies how obesity can affect the size and function of the brain because previous research studies found an increased risk of cognitive problems and dementia in people with obesity. Scientists evaluated brain scans from more than 12,000 people who participated in the United Kingdom Biobank Imaging research study. The brain imaging methods and techniques that Dr. Dekkers and her group of colleagues utilized in the research study demonstrated additional insights into the participants’ gray and white matter volume.  

In another recent research study, Dr. Ilona A. Dekkers and her group of colleagues found that obesity is associated with smaller volumes of essential structures in the brain, including gray matter structures that are found in the center of the brain. Scientists also demonstrated that gender can affect the connection between fat percentage and specific brain structures. According to the research studies, men with obesity had lower gray matter volume in brain regions associated with movement while women with obesity had lower gray matter volume in the globus pallidus, a brain region associated with voluntary movement. According to the research studies, both men and women with obesity had white matter volume changes in a variety of brain regions.  

The adrenal glands are small glands found on top of each kidney and they are necessary for our everyday health because they produce a variety of hormones, including cortisol and sex hormones. The adrenal glands produce the hormones that regulate sugar and blood pressure, respond to stress, as well as burn protein and fat. If these small glands don’t produce enough of the necessary hormones, it can ultimately cause a variety of health issues. Adrenal fatigue is a health issue recognized by many healthcare professionals, however, there is no evidence to prove that the condition exists.  

Adrenal fatigue is characterized as a collection of non-specific symptoms. James Wilson, Ph.D., naturopath and alternative healthcare professional, coined the term in 1998 when he first described the condition as a group of associated symptoms that developed when the adrenal glands aren’t functioning accordingly. He also stated that the condition is generally associated with severe stress and fatigue that doesn’t get better with sleep which follows with other health issues, such as bronchitis, flu, or pneumonia. In the following article, we will discuss adrenal fatigue as well as its diagnosis and treatment.  

Understanding Adrenal Fatigue

According to healthcare professionals, adrenal fatigue can commonly develop in people that have experienced mental, physical, or emotional stress for an extended period of time. However, as previously mentioned, there is currently no evidence to prove that the condition exists. Many doctors are also concerned that if a patient is told that they have this condition, it may ultimately cause them to miss another underlying source of their symptoms that probably also won’t be diagnosed and treated accordingly. However, there are a variety of other health issues that may affect the adrenal glands.  

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a fundamental role in a variety of brain and bodily functions. This chemical messenger helps regulate mood and social behavior as well as support our circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle. Research studies demonstrated that “healthy” serotonin levels are associated with positive feelings and longevity. We can naturally increase our serotonin levels by eating tryptophan-rich foods or taking tryptophan supplements. This essential amino acid is used to synthesize serotonin. In the following article, we will discuss foods that can help naturally increase serotonin.  

Serotonin, also known as the “happy chemical”, is a substance associated with mood, happiness, and well-being as well as a variety of other structures and functions in the human body. Scientifically referred to as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT, this essential substance is commonly found in the brain, blood platelets, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Serotonin is another “chemical messenger” that controls mood and movement. It also helps to regulate and manage our circadian rhythm, or the human body’s sleep-and-wake cycle. Serotonin also controls appetite, cognitive, autonomic, and motor functions.  

Serotonin is produced by a biochemical conversion process in the brain that involves several components of proteins, including tryptophan and its chemical reactor, known as tryptophan hydroxylase. Most scientists believe that this essential substance is a neurotransmitter while some scientists believe that serotonin is a hormone. The “happy chemical”, As previously mentioned above, is produced in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood platelets, and brain as well as in the central nervous system (CNS). In the following article, we will discuss the role of serotonin and its effect on overall brain and mental health.  

Dopamine is a well-known neurotransmitter that plays a fundamental role in sending information between brain cells or neurons. As many of you may already know, neurons are the basic units that make up the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory organs, such as the eyes and ears. Dopamine also plays a role in motivation and movement, as it is most commonly associated with the pleasure and reward center of the brain. This chemical messenger can ultimately help us strive and find things interesting but, too much or too little of it can cause a variety of brain health issues.

Do you experience chronic gut health issues? Research studies have found that Parkinson’s disease (PD) may be associated with the gut-brain connection. Evidence in a group of mice demonstrated that PD can actually start in the gut, which may explain why patients with PD have constipation and other gut health issues. Scientists have also found that patients with Parkinson’s disease report having gut health issues up to 10 years before experiencing tremors and other symptoms. According to other research studies, patients with PD may even have different biodiversity of gut bacteria than other healthy adults.  

Outcome measures in the group of mice showed that the “harmful” alpha-synuclein fibers that build-up in the nerve cell endings of patients with Parkinson’s disease can immediately affect neurons in the brain. Scientists found this by identifying the spread of alpha-synuclein fibers in the nerve cell endings of the affected neurons in the brain of patients with PD. Alpha-synuclein is a fat-soluble substance, generally found in healthy neurons, however, alpha-synuclein molecules can clump together and damage brain cells. Scientists also found that patients can have a build-up of alpha-synuclein fibers in their gut.  

Movement disorders are characterized as health issues that cause abnormal and involuntary body positions or movements. Many neurological conditions are caused by brain signal problems and they can ultimately affect quality, fluency, speed, and ease of movement. Dyskinesia is characterized as abnormal and involuntary fluency and/or speed of movement while hyperkinesia is characterized as excessive movement and hypokinesia is characterized as slow or absent, abnormal and involuntary movements. Movement disorders are also referred to as conversion disorders and/or psychogenic movement disorders.   Injuries or underlying conditions to the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system don’t always cause movement disorders. Movement disorders can include:  

• Tics, characterized as abnormal and/or involuntary contractions of the muscles,
• Tremor, also referred to as a resting tremor or essential tremor,
• Ataxia, characterized by “jerky” movements and coordination problems,
• Dystonia, characterized as abnormal and/or involuntary, generally prolonged contractions of the muscles,
• Huntington’s disease, also referred to as chronic progressive chorea,
• Parkinson’s disease, a well-known movement disorder, including tremors,
• Multiple system atrophies, also referred to as Shy-Drager syndrome,
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and reflex sympathetic dystrophy/periodic limb movement disorder (RSD/PLMD),
• Myoclonus, characterized by rapid, brief, irregular movements,
• Tourette’s syndrome, another well-known movement disorder, including repetitive or unwanted sounds and movements,
• Wilson disease, known as an inherited health issue that causes a variety of symptoms and liver disease, and
• Progressive supranuclear palsy, characterized as a rare health issue that affects movement.

As previously mentioned in the list above, tics are a well-known, movement disorder characterized by abnormal and/or involuntary contractions of the muscles that can ultimately affect an individual’s regular physical activities as well as their overall quality of life. Tics are generally triggered by a powerful urge or sensation that is temporarily relieved after the contraction of the muscles. Several examples of common tics can involve the following, including:  

• Twitching of the face,
• Clearing of the throat,
• Grunting,
• Sighing,
• Blinking, and/or
• Shrugging of the shoulders.

Dystonia can include spasmodic torticollis, characterized by abnormal and/or involuntary movements of the eyelids, face, head, neck, and blepharospasm.   Tourette’s syndrome is another well-known movement disorder characterized as a health issue that causes a variety of vocal and motor tics or repetitive contractions of the muscles. Common symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome generally manifest during childhood and/or early adolescence and they can commonly vary in severity and frequency. Patients diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome can also ultimately develop a variety of other behavioral problems, including inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, compulsions, and obsessions. A diagnosis is necessary to determine the presence of Tourette’s syndrome.  

The blood-brain barrier is a protective shield that allows nutrients to enter the brain while keeping harmful components in the bloodstream from passing into the brain. However, many factors can cause a leaky blood-brain barrier. This can allow harmful components to penetrate the blood-brain brain, ultimately causing inflammation and brain health issues. A leaky blood-brain barrier is associated with many mental health issues and neurological diseases, including anxiety, depression, brain fog, fatigue, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia. In the article below, we will discuss natural ways which have been demonstrated to help fix a leaky blood-brain barrier and improve overall brain health.  

Our brain is a complex organ that controls many essential functions in our body. Therefore, brain health is vital for our survival. This is where the blood-brain barrier comes in. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) consists of a group of cells held together by “tight junctions” that protect the brain from potentially harmful components in the bloodstream. This security system only permits passage to certain molecules and keeps most other chemicals or substances out.  

Understanding a Leaky Brain

If damage due to an injury or underlying condition occurs, small gaps can start to develop in the tight junctions of the group of cells in the brain and potentially harmful components in the bloodstream can ultimately penetrate the BBB and enter the complex organ. This is known as a “leaky brain”. Several chemicals or substances can commonly cause brain inflammation. Research studies have demonstrated a connection between gut health and brain health. As a matter of fact, scientists have also determined that our gut microbiome, or the bacteria in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract, can affect our brain.  

The stomach and small intestine consist of a group of cells like the blood-brain barrier that also protects the gut from potentially harmful components in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Similar factors that cause a leaky gut can cause a leaky brain, including poor diet, food sensitivities or intolerances, infections, and toxins. Research studies have demonstrated that a protein found in wheat and gluten, known as gliadin, can increase the production of another protein known as zonulin. Zonulin can cause the tight junctions of the gut and BBB to become loose or broken, leading to a leaky brain and a leaky gut.

How often do you feel agitated, easily upset, and nervous between meals? How often do you have difficulty concentrating before eating? How often does your energy level drop in the afternoon? Inflammation associated with a leaky blood-brain barrier can cause a variety of brain health issues. Our brain is a complex organ that controls various structures and functions of our body, from our memory to our breathing, muscle movements, and hormones.  

Unfortunately, brain health issues are common in our society. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 20 percent of adults in the United States have a brain health issue and American adults spend about $113 billion on treatment every year. Additionally, these statistics don’t even include the treatment cost of autoimmune brain health issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and autism. In the article below, we will discuss how inflammation is associated with a “leaky” blood-brain barrier and what you can do to improve a variety of brain health issues.  

Our brain is a complex organ protected by our 7mm thick skull, a protective membrane, known as the meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid. These essential brain structures help protect the brain against physical damage or injury. Another brain structure that protects the brain from harm is the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is the shield between the brain’s blood vessels and the cells in the brain’s tissue. While the skull, meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid protect the brain from physical damage or injury, the blood-brain barrier protects the brain from toxins and pathogens in the bloodstream. 

Moreover, the presence of the blood-brain barrier in the human brain was first discovered in the late 1800s by the German scientist Paul Ehrlich when he injected blue dye in the bloodstream of a group of mice during an experiment. The blue dye strained all of the animals’ tissues and organs with the exception of the brain and spinal cord. Although the outcome measures of the research study demonstrated the existence of the blood-brain barrier, it wasn’t until the 1960s that researchers were able to use much more powerful technologies to ultimately prove the presence of the blood-brain barrier in the human brain.