Today is World Brain Day for Brain Health & Prevention

 

Today is World Brain Day - an annual event observed on July 22 aimed at promoting awareness and education for neurological disorders that affect individuals worldwide. World Brain Day 2024 is an initiative led by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) to advocate for the importance of brain health and prevention measures.

The human brain is the most complex organ in the body - it controls basic body functions and shapes thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Prevention is key for brain health. It is important to exercise regularly (physical activity increases blood flow to the brain) - protect your head (wear a helmet & seat belts) - prioritize sleep (aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep) - stay hydrated (drink plenty of water) - prioritize mental wellbeing (self-care) - eat a balanced diet (fruit, veggies, whole grains, lean protein) - manage stress (practice relaxation) - stay socially connected (strong ties to family & friends) - and avoid tobacco and alcohol use. 

Our brains are programmed to do things that feel good. Addictive drugs tap into our brain's reward system and flood it with dopamine, which causes the user to repeat behavior that triggers extreme pleasure to feel good in the moment. Over time, this effect wears off and so do other "feel good" activities - this may put users at greater risk of harm. With prolonged use, changes to other brain chemical systems occur and this can negatively affect your judgment, decision-making, memory, and ability to learn.

Once the brain adapts to drug use by developing tolerance, it begins to require more and more of a drug to feel the same result. This decreases the brain's ability to resist temptation and can affect the amount of pleasure a person receives from normal everyday activities like enjoying food, experiences, or relationships.

So, on this World Brain Day, make sure to take care of your brain so that your brain can take care of you. Choose not to try or use other drugs and educate yourself about why drugs are harmful. When you learn about what substance use can do to your brain and your body, it can help you make healthier decisions - knowledge saves lives!