Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2011 23:30:57 GMT -5
www.hrni.ca/nose-brain_connection.htm
The Nose-Brain Connection
Many people view toxins in their environment as always being out around them, but never being able to enter their body. They may acknowledge that when they breathe, eat or touch toxins that some toxins may enter their body. Often the belief is held that although the toxins may enter the bloodstream, they won't be able to enter the brain, due to the blood-brain barrier.
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a membrane composed of endothelial cells packed very tightly in the brain capillaries. This restricts passage of some substances and protects the brain from harmful substances in the blood stream. It is structured to allow the nutrients required by the brain to pass through, but keeps toxic substances out of the brain. However, stress, some drugs, infections, and toxins can weaken or break down that blood-brain barrier so that toxins are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain and the nervous system.
Most people are unaware that there is another avenue through which toxic chemicals can have direct access to the brain and nervous system. This other avenue is the nose-brain connection. There is no blood-brain barrier between the nose and the brain. This layer of protection is not available when we inhale toxic chemicals that are part of our everyday experience.
The olfactory and trigeminal nerves provide a connection between the brain and the outside environment. These nerves, which are involved in sensing odors and chemicals, descend down into the nose. Toxic chemicals can enter the brain by traveling along their neural pathways.
This neural connection between the nasal mucosa and the brain means that what we inhale has direct access to our brain and the rest of our nervous system.
Therefore, we need to be on guard as to what toxins we allow ourselves to be exposed, especially what we allow ourselves to breathe. Take action to protect your health. Remove yourself from the situation when you find yourself in a toxic environment. For example, exposure to scented products, pesticides, cleansers (both household and industrial), diesel fumes, cigarette smoke, burning plastic, solvents, etc.
We need to especially be on guard against products that we know contain neurotoxins (they are poison to the nervous system). Almost all insecticides and fungicides are neurotoxins. Protect yourself from inhaling these toxins!