Microplastics - Are Tiny Plastics Harming Our Brains?

Microplastics - Are Tiny Plastics Harming Our Brains?

Microplastics can be found everywhere from freshly falling Antarctic snow to the bottom of the Mariana Trench and our brains are no exception. In this episode of Change Your Mind with New Scientist, Health Journalists Cat de Lange and Helen Thomson trace the origins of microplastics and nanoplastics to tell the story of how they end up in the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. There’s no question that these tiny plastic particles are in all of our bodies, but are they causing any harm there?   With the help of “godfather of microplastics” Professor Richard Thompson, they explore what decades of animal studies really show about development, fertility, behaviour and brain health and why it’s so hard to get definitive answers in humans. Are microplastics really building up in our brains, and if so, what might that mean for memory, mood or dementia risk? Should you be worried about your non-stick pans, plastic water bottles or synthetic clothes?  Produced by Emily Bird We want to hear your thoughts, leave a comment or send in your ideas for future episodes to ⁠⁠⁠changeyourmind@newscientist.com⁠ [changeyourmind@newscientist.com] Find out more about the microplastics at New Scientist: https://www.newscientist.com/article-topic/microplastic/ Learn more about our sponsor Alzheimer’s Society: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.newscientist.com/alzheimers-society/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.newscientist.com/alzheimers-society/%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Sources:  https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr8243#sec-3 [https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr8243#sec-3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36867907/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36867907/] https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/924520 [https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/924520] https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2309822 [https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2309822] https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1120173 [https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1120173]  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04324-7 [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04324-7]

Brain Training - Can a Game really Protect You from Dementia?

In this episode of Change Your Mind, Science Journalists Cat de Lange and Helen Thomson ask whether brain training is finally shaking off its flaky reputation and if a simple computer game could really cut your risk of dementia. For years, Sudoku and brain game apps promised to “keep your brain young”, then were largely dismissed as only making you better at the game itself. So why is brain training back in the headlines now? Cat speaks to Professor Marilyn Albert, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Johns Hopkins, about her study that recently linked a specific kind of speed‑processing training to a 25% lower risk of dementia.  But is this finding too good to be true? Or should we all be signing up to give this brain training game a go?  Produced by Emily Bird We want to hear your thoughts, leave a comment or send in your ideas for future episodes to ⁠⁠⁠changeyourmind@newscientist.com⁠ [changeyourmind@newscientist.com] Find out more about Brain Training and dementia at New Scientist [%E2%81%A0https://www.newscientist.com/article/2514823-specific-cognitive-training-has-astonishing-effect-on-dementia-risk/] Learn more about our sponsor Alzheimer’s Society [%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0https://www.newscientist.com/alzheimers-society/%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%20%E2%81%A0]

Microbiome - Explaining how your Gut affects your Mood

What if the key to a healthier brain isn't in your head at all? This week on Change Your Mind, Health Journalists Cat de Lange and Helen Thomson dive into the fascinating world of the gut microbiota, to ask whether the trillions of microbes living inside us could be influencing everything from our mood and stress levels to how we think and feel. With microbiome testing kits, probiotics and gut-health products booming in popularity, how much of the hype is backed by science? Can changing what you eat really alter your mental health? And do fermented foods, fibre supplements and expensive gut tests actually deliver on their promises? To separate fact from fiction, we speak to one of the world's leading microbiome researchers, Professor Ted Dinan, to find out what decades of research reveal about the gut-brain connection.  Produced by Emily Bird We want to hear your thoughts, leave a comment or send in your ideas for future episodes to ⁠⁠changeyourmind@newscientist.com [changeyourmind@newscientist.com] Find out more about the microbiome at New Scientist: https://www.newscientist.com/article-topic/microbiome/ [https://www.newscientist.com/article-topic/microbiome/]  Learn more about our sponsor Alzheimer’s Society: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.newscientist.com/alzheimers-society/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.newscientist.com/alzheimers-society/%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Sources:  https://www.factmr.com/report/gut-microbiome-testing-kit-market [https://www.factmr.com/report/gut-microbiome-testing-kit-market]  https://mybioma.com/en/pages/analysis [https://mybioma.com/en/pages/analysis]  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5501039/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5501039/] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23910373/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23910373/] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21876150/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21876150/] https://www.newscientist.com/article/2502203-the-gut-microbiome-may-play-a-role-in-shaping-our-personality/ [https://www.newscientist.com/article/2502203-the-gut-microbiome-may-play-a-role-in-shaping-our-personality/]  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-33609-x [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-33609-x] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28661940/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28661940/]

Manifesting - Is there any Neuroscience behind the Mood-Board?

Manifestation has gone mainstream. From vision boards and affirmations to TikTok trends promising abundance and success, millions of people believe they can turn their thoughts into reality. But is there any science behind it? In this episode of Change Your Mind, New Scientist journalists Cat de Lange and Helen Thomson investigate the neuroscience of manifestation. Can visualising your goals really change your behaviour? Why does the brain focus so heavily on negative outcomes? And could techniques often dismissed as "woo" actually help you achieve what you want? Joining them is neuroscientist Dr Sabina Brennan, who explains what happens in the brain when we focus our attention, challenge limiting beliefs and imagine future success. Together, they explore the surprising links between manifestation, neuroplasticity and goal-setting and reveal why the real power may not lie in the universe, but in your own mind. We want to hear your thoughts, leave a comment or send in your ideas for future episodes to ⁠changeyourmind@newscientist.com⁠ [changeyourmind@newscientist.com] Learn more about Manifesting https://www.newscientist.com/article/2480659-can-imagining-a-better-future-really-make-it-come-true/ [https://www.newscientist.com/article/2480659-can-imagining-a-better-future-really-make-it-come-true/] Learn more about our sponsor Alzheimer’s Society: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.newscientist.com/alzheimers-society/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.newscientist.com/alzheimers-society/%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Produced by Emily Bird

Cold-Water Swimming and Sauna - Can hot and cold therapies boost mental health?

If you’ve ever wondered whether the cold‑water swimming craze is a genuine brain booster or just a very chilly fad, this episode is for you. New Scientist journalists Cat de Lange and Helen Thomson plunge into the science behind cold dips, ice baths and saunas, asking whether they really can lift mood, protect the brain and build resilience, or if a warm pool and a chat with friends would do just as much. Along the way, Cat and Helen explore why so many people feel transformed by getting into very cold water, and what might really be driving those post‑swim highs. Is it something special happening inside the brain and body or the simple magic of nature, community and ritual?  They’re joined by Professor Mike Tipton, a world‑leading expert in how our bodies respond to extreme environments. Together, they ask: in an age of central heating and air conditioning, have we made ourselves too comfortable for our brains and bodies’ own good?  We want to hear your thoughts, leave a comment or send in your ideas for future episodes to changeyourmind@newscientist.com [changeyourmind@newscientist.com] Learn more about Cold-water swimming: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2506082-cold-water-swimming-has-benefits-for-the-brain-as-well-as-the-body/ [https://www.newscientist.com/article/2506082-cold-water-swimming-has-benefits-for-the-brain-as-well-as-the-body/]  Learn more about our sponsor Alzheimer’s Society: ⁠⁠https://www.newscientist.com/alzheimers-society/⁠⁠ [https://www.newscientist.com/alzheimers-society/%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Produced by Emily Bird