“Leaky” seems to be the latest buzz word in the health world. There’s leaky gut, leaky mouth, leaky heart, and now leaky brain. But what exactly does that mean, what causes it, and what can we do about it?

When medical professionals throw around the term “leaky,” it can be confusing for patients. Admittedly, it sounds a bit like their insides are leaking — their organs oozing and dripping into the rest of their body. But as you probably explain to your patients, leaky just means that the barriers that usually protect us from toxins and other foreign particles have been breached, and those foreign substances are leaking into our organs. That causes inflammation in the affected areas, and inflammation goes hand in hand with illness and disease. (1, 2, 3, 4)

In the case of leaky gut, the protective lining of the gastrointestinal tract sometimes lets things slip into the bloodstream, including pathogens, toxins, undigested food particles, and waste. The same can occur in the brain.

The brain’s protective boundary is known as the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Its job is to allow good things such as amino acids and nutrients in, while keeping bad things, including harmful chemicals and heavy metals, safely out. But when the gut or brain becomes “leaky,” the barriers have become too permeable, and substances that shouldn’t are then able to pass through. Usually, the barriers fail simultaneously — especially because the entire immune system becomes compromised — meaning that someone with leaky gut also has leaky brain. This is reinforced by the gut-brain axis. (5, 6, 3, 4)

Mental disorders are currently the most common and fastest-growing illnesses in the world. It is highly likely that this can be traced back to leaky brain. And because the brain controls the body, health issues throughout the body become increasingly common as well. As a result, there is an extremely long list of health conditions that may be a result of leaky brain syndrome and its corresponding inflammation. These include: (2, 3)

  • ADD/ADHD
  • Aggression or violence
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Antisocial behavior
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Brain fog
  • Changes in personality
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Dementia
  • Depression
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Fatigue/chronic fatigue
  • Gut issues
  • Hallucination
  • Insomnia
  • Joint pain
  • Memory loss
  • Mood changes
  • Neurological diseases
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Psychosis
  • Schizophrenia
  • Seizures and epilepsy|
  • Stress
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions

What Causes Leaky Brain 

Many factors can affect the blood-brain barrier and its permeability, allowing all sorts of troublesome substances to pass through. Here are some of the most common causes of leaky brain.

EMFs

In the early days of cell phones, there was a lot of talk about how using them — especially holding them up to your head — could cause brain damage and cancer. But then that chatter stopped, and most people chalked it up to a conspiracy theory or nasty rumors. However, it’s neither conspiracy nor rumor; people just quit talking about it — that is, until recently. Now, more and more, people are finally acknowledging the potential dangers and negative health effects of cell phones and other devices. Essentially, anything that produces electromagnetic fields or frequencies (EMFs) can put someone at risk.

Similar to a traditional Chinese medicine outlook, many functional medicine practitioners see the human body as an energetic and electrical being. This includes not only our chakras, energy fields, and meridians, but also our metabolism and nerve impulses. Man-made devices and electricity, including Bluetooth, cellphones, computers, electric wiring, microwaves, televisions, WiFi systems, and the like, collectively form what some people refer to as “electrosmog.” These gadgets emit EMFs that compete with our bodies. They essentially short-circuit our nervous systems and brains — the biological equivalent of a bad connection or a dropped call. (5, 6, 7)

This energy interference is toxic radiation from our machines, and it disrupts our own energy, damaging our enzymes, hindering cell division, and messing with our chemical balance. It pokes holes in the BBB, leading to leaky brain. This causes all kinds of health conditions, including: (5, 6, 7)

  • Anxiety
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Depression
  • Immune deficiency
  • Premature aging
  • Reproductive problems
  • Sleep issues
  • Tumors

Environmental toxins

Every year, around 3 billion pounds of toxic chemicals are dumped into the water and air, and less than 10% of those chemicals are held to any sort of safety regulations. There are at least 84,000 chemicals in current use in the U.S. alone, although that number is likely much higher. Babies are born today with 200 different types of chemicals in the blood of their umbilical cords. (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

Exposure to all these dangerous chemicals can lead to a wide range of brain-related health conditions. In fact, toxins are now considered the primary cause of imbalances in brain chemistry and neurodegenerative disorders. On top of that, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to detect when a chemical is dangerous, since laboratory testing for toxicity has become skewed. Tests now consider adaptations to toxins as well as damage from them within the range of “normal.” (8,13, 14, 15)

Perhaps one of the biggest chemical culprits is glyphosate, which is associated with the weed killer Roundup. Pesticides and glyphosate are now commonly linked to various psychiatric and mental disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, aggressive behavior, dementia, depression, Parkinson’s disease, and suicidal tendencies. Glyphosate can also cause cancer, cellular damage, and inflammation. One of the most troublesome aspects of the chemical is that it tends to accumulate in the body, as it is very difficult to eliminate. And because glyphosate is used to treat grain crops, it ends up in our food supply and is readily ingested. It has even been found in a popular and widely consumed breakfast cereal. (16, 17, 18, 19)

Toxic heavy metals are also everywhere. For example, lead in the body can surround the mitochondria and stop them from producing ATP, resulting in fatigue and other health concerns. Mercury causes all kinds of mental health issues once it is in the brain, and aluminum is also believed to kill brain cells. (8, 20)

Food sensitivities 

Nutrition is critical for our overall health, and perhaps even more so for our brains. Although certain foods are considered “brain foods” and promote brain health and cognition, many foods can hinder certain people’s brain function. If someone has a food sensitivity or allergy, certain foods can actually alter the brain’s chemistry and potentially lead to leaky brain. Some of the most commonly problematic foods or food components include: (9, 21, 22, 23, 24)

  • Chocolate
  • Citrus
  • Eggs
  • Gluten
  • Milk and milk products
  • Peanuts
  • Soybeans
  • Sugar
  • Wheat

Lyme and co-infections

Among the many pathogen-induced diseases is Lyme disease, a serious condition that leads to a variety of health problems in the brain and beyond. Lyme and its related infections are caused by certain bacteria, including Bartonella, babesia microti, and B. burgdorferi.

When these bacteria get inside the body, primarily through ticks, they can damage the various systems and tissues they contact. This becomes a cyclic pattern, during which the immune system is compromised, allowing the bacteria to cause additional harm. This leads to neurological problems and other health concerns, such as: (32, 33, 34)

  • Anxiety
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Body pain
  • Brain fog
  • Depression
  • Headaches/migraines
  • Lack of motivation
  • Memory loss
  • Panic attacks
  • Paranoia
  • Shortness of breath  

Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are living toxins, usually produced by fungi, especially molds. You’re surely familiar with the dangers of mold toxicity, which is due to mycotoxins. When ingested, these toxins can block the body’s absorption of vitamins and proteins, and impede mitochondrial function. That means less ATP production and less energy, resulting in fatigue. Mycotoxins may also contribute to autoimmune issues. (12, 13, 14, 16)

Overall, mycotoxins can affect the brain and the entire body, causing brain chemistry imbalances as well as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and kidney problems. In fact, they can cause a whole variety of health disorders, including the following, which are found in a large percentage of the world’s population: (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Autism
  • Cancer
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Colitis
  • Depression
  • Fibromyalgia
  • HIV
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • PMS
  • Schizophrenia
  • Seizures
  • Systemic lupus
  • Yeast infections

Because most mycotoxins come from mold, mold exposure is a telltale sign of potential health concerns. If your patients live or work somewhere where there are any of the following moisture issues, they could have a mold toxicity problem. This includes: (35)

  • Bathroom shower condensation and leaks
  • Inadequate ventilation in the kitchen
  • Moisture transferred through cement floors and walls
  • Plumbing leaks
  • Roofing problems allowing water or condensation to get in

Unfortunately, however, mold is not always visible, so not everyone knows when they have been exposed. Mycotoxins can be in our food and the air we breathe. It’s estimated that as much as 25% of the world’s crops are contaminated with mycotoxins. Between 4% and 11% of the fine particle mass in the air is polluted by fungi and molds. Mycotoxins can remain in our bodies for years after initial exposure. (12, 36, 37)

These dangerous particles are found in: (12, 16, 38)

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Barley
  • Corn
  • Cottonseed
  • Hard cheese
  • Peanuts
  • Rye
  • Sorghum
  • Sugar beets
  • Sugar cane
  • Wheat

Parasites

Many pathogens find their way into our bodies, and some have serious effects on the brain. Parasites such as C. difficile, the cytomegalovirus, H. pylori, streptococcus, and Toxoplasma gondii have been associated with everything from cognitive dysfunction to depression to psychiatric disorders. Although frequently thought to be innocent, T. gondii may in fact cause slight brain alterations that could lead a person to attempt suicide — or at least have suicidal thoughts and desires.

Similarly, certain pathogens may directly affect certain brain chemicals, such as dopamine and the neurotransmitter gamma-Aminobutyric acid. When parasites modify brain chemistry, mental illness results. (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)

Just a few of the many leaky brain-related ailments these parasites cause include:

  • Autism
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Depression
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Psychosis
  • Seizures
  • Tics/Tourette’s syndrome

However, when the body has microbial infections, it doesn’t only lead to leaky brain. Because the brain and gut are so interconnected, and leaky gut is tied to leaky brain, parasites and the infections they cause can also lead to many other health conditions throughout the body. Parasites can cause food intolerances, reproductive and hormonal imbalances, and skin issues. They can trigger excess inflammation and immune deficiencies, and even damage the mitochondria.

How to Help Support the Blood-Brain Barrier

Considering that the brain is under threat daily, you may be wondering how you can help your patients stop the seepage that comes with a leaky brain. There are many ways to combat brain leakage and get rid of brain inflammation. Here are some helpful tips.

Drainage and detox

The brain has one of the densest concentrations of mitochondria in the entire body. Every brain cell has as many as 10,000 mitochondria, and some areas of the brain have up to two million mitochondria per cell. The mitochondria must be working properly to achieve optimum drainage in the body.

Therefore, to support the body and brain, including the mitochondria, open up the body’s drainage pathways to encourage fluid flow throughout the body and promote overall health. The brain cannot drain if parts of the drainage funnel are backed up, so full-body drainage is crucial, including the cells, colon, liver and bile duct, lymphatic system, organs, and tissues. (39, 40, 41)

Good brain drainage can ultimately help optimize cognitive performance and brain health. And once everything is flowing freely, you can begin to focus on detoxing the brain of bacteria, fungi, glyphosate, heavy metals, radioactive elements, and any other substances. (42, 43)

Genetics

There’s a tendency in the medical world to trace the causes of health concerns to genetics. However, many experts suggest that genetics don’t have as much of a direct influence on disease as widely believed. As little as 1% to 10% of disease is likely caused by genetics, whereas the rest is due to environmental factors such as lifestyle choices, exposure to toxins, and overall health.

Nevertheless, it is possible to inherit certain susceptibilities to particular diseases, which may make a person more likely to develop various conditions. However, just because someone’s mother or father had, say, schizophrenia, it doesn’t guarantee that they will develop that same condition. With the proper health choices and detox methods, that person can fight any genetic predisposition for schizophrenia and remain healthy. (44, 45, 46)

Still, genetics can offer useful information to preemptively fight leaky brain and other health concerns. By being aware of what could be a gene or inherited sensitivity for developing a particular condition, someone can be more equipped to fight it. If your patients trace their genetic background and family health history, they can use that information to protect themselves against developing a leaky brain.

Good gut health

That widely discussed gut-brain axis means that our gut health is inseparable from our brain health. Our neurotransmitters, such as the mood-influencing dopamine and serotonin, are produced in the gut, so keeping the gut healthy leads to a healthier and happier brain. On the other hand, as mentioned previously, if individuals have leaky brain, they surely have leaky gut as well. (2)

One study showed that a transplant of gut microbiota from healthy mice with perfect BBB integrity to unhealthy mice with leaky brains restored the integrity of the damaged BBB. Patients can achieve similar results by eating more prebiotic fiber, consuming fermented foods, and minding the balance and health of their gut microbiome. (47)

Limit EMF exposure

One way to fight leaky brain is by reducing exposure to EMFs. There are many ways to do this, such as deactivating features like Bluetooth or GPS, turning gadgets off entirely, or using airplane mode. In the case of wired devices, unplugging them is the safest way to stop EMF emission.

This is especially true at night, because nighttime exposure is particularly damaging and affects brain drainage, melatonin production, and sleep. Experts say never to bring a cell phone into the bedroom, especially if keeping it near the head. They suggest turning off all electricity and devices at night, including WiFi, by flipping a kill switch or fuse. (17)

For those who simply cannot live without their technology, however, it’s best for them to keep their distance from the source of the EMF as much as possible by using a speaker feature and avoiding putting their cellphone against their head. Whenever possible, they should text rather than call. Investing in a low-radiation WiFi router and EMF-detecting meters is also a good way to go. (17)

Mental outlook and optimism

Throughout time, people have advocated for the power of positive thinking. But now, health professionals suggest that both our conscious and unconscious thought patterns may actually be able to regulate or alter the chemistry of our body and brain and affect our immune systems. This is because every thought that we have causes a chemical reaction in the brain.

Continual negative thoughts put our brains into fight-or-flight mode and cause stress. That means that positive thinking could lead to good health, whereas negative thinking might lead to a breakdown in the BBB and cause leaky brain. But because learned behaviors alter our brain chemistry, we can learn to be healthier through positive thoughts. Patients may consider seeing a therapist or specialist in mental outlook and thought processes, as mental health plays a significant role in physical health, and vice versa. (48, 49, 50)

Nutrition

A diet high in pasture-raised meats, unprocessed plant foods, and moderate seafood — plus a diet low in excessive animal products, refined carbohydrates, and sugar— can help address brain inflammation. The acclaimed Mediterranean diet, for instance, is substantially anti-inflammatory, whereas the modern Western diet promotes inflammation. But for the sake of preventing leaky brain, it’s important not to eat too many saturated fats. In a study, rodents fed a diet of 40% saturated fats (from cocoa butter) experienced elevated BBB permeability. (9, 51, 52)

It’s also beneficial to eat a good variety of fruits and vegetables with phytonutrient-rich plants and spices, including astragalus root, cruciferous veggies, curcumin (from turmeric), and dark, leafy greens. Most plant-based foods also have significant amounts of beneficial fiber, which minimizes the absorption of dietary fat. Some practitioners also advocate for eating a gluten-free, paleo diet. (9, 53)

Reduced alcohol consumption

Alcohol and its breakdown product, acetaldehyde, can both easily cross the BBB. The alcohol we drink is essentially ethanol. A glass of wine a day may allow doses of ethanol to migrate across the BBB, triggering good endorphins and promoting the release of relaxing neurotransmitters. However, higher amounts of alcohol can cause inflammation that damages brain cells. (54, 55, 56, 57)

Sleep

We have known for a long time that getting plenty of rest is important for staying healthy, but recent research has shown just to what level sleep is crucial, especially for the brain. A study showed that following six days of sleep deprivation, BBB permeability was restored to its baseline after only 24 hours of recovery sleep. Sleep loss may also impair the immune system, increasing levels of pro-inflammatory mediators. (58, 59)

In addition, the brain has a drainage system called the glymphatic system, which does its job primarily while we sleep. We build up inflammation in our bodies and brain during our waking hours. But when we sleep, the glymphatic system drains our brains by getting rid of pro-inflammatory toxins, pathogens, and waste products. In fact, our brain cells shrink by about 60% when we’re sleeping to allow more room for the lymph to flow in and out of it, delivering nutrients and drawing waste back out. (10, 11)

One of the waste products the lymphatic flow removes is known as amyloid-beta. This substance is associated with neurodegeneration. Too much amyloid-beta in the brain can affect neuron communication and lead to neuron cell death, causing many different brain disorders. All of this means that sleep can help improve cognitive performance and fight brain disease, whereas a lack of sleep can impair our brain health because waste is able to accumulate. (10, 11)

Another reason sleep is important is because when we are sleeping, the pineal gland in the brain produces melatonin. Melatonin not only leads to better sleep, but also acts like a brain antioxidant and protector, helping the brain eliminate toxins and waste. When we do not get at least seven to nine hours of sleep every night, or when our sleep is disrupted by things like blue light from our devices, melatonin production may be affected, and our BBB could become more permeable. (60, 61)

Stable blood sugar levels

Stable blood sugar is vital to a healthy, balanced brain. Insulin resistance and diabetes are notorious brain inflamers, and when blood sugar and insulin levels are out of whack, it can damage the brain. Obesity and type 2 diabetes can cause a breakdown in the BBB, decreasing the removal of waste and increasing inflammatory immune cells. For this reason, Alzheimer’s disease is sometimes referred to as “type 3 diabetes.” (1, 4, 62, 63)

Stimulation of the vagus nerve 

Stimulating the vagus nerve through chanting, deep breathing, gargling, meditating, singing, taking cold showers, using electronic stimulation, and other lifestyle practices can make the BBB more resistant to leakage. Research using mice demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation offered neuroprotection by reducing BBB permeability, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. (64, 65, 66, 67)

Supplementation

Diet alone may not quell the fires of chronic inflammation in the brain. Fortunately, some excellent natural anti-inflammatory supplements can help. Many of these supplements have a dual purpose: they can reduce harmful inflammation while offering significant brain and body health-boosting properties.

Botanicals and supplements that may tame inflammation include: (68, 69, 70, 71)

  • Acai — protects mitochondria with potent antioxidant properties
  • Artichoke leaf — helps support mitochondria and, as a result, energy production
  • Astaxanthin —protects mitochondria and helps defend against viruses
  • Berberine — reduces BBB permeability and increases resistance to brain damage
  •  Blueberries — supports detox, digestion, and liver health
  •  Broccoli sprouts — supports the Nrf2 pathway, which regulates oxidative stress; Aalso boosts the production of glutathione, which is the body’s “master” antioxidant that can help balance inflammatory responses
  • Bromelain — supports the immune system and promotes joint health
  • Inositol — improves the integrity of the BBB
  • L-citrulline — boosts immune function and helps the liver detox ammonia
  • Magnesium — reduces permeability of the BBB
  • Mulberry — increases detoxification and glutathione production
  • Olive leaf — stimulates mitochondrial production and helps prevent DNA damage
  • Pomegranate — lessens gut inflammation
  • Vitamins B6, 9, and 12 — restore equilibrium to the BBB
  • Wheatgrass — enhances immune and liver function

Brain Health for Overall Health

The BBB has a difficult job of keeping pathogens and toxins out and the brain safe, especially when it’s constantly under fire from so many dangerous substances. But detoxing and giving the BBB the TLC that it needs can help strengthen the brain’s natural protection and prevent a leaky brain.