🧠 5 Major Harmful Influences on Neurological Health — And What You Can Do About Them
- Justyn Oliver
- May 16
- 4 min read
5-Minute Read
Neurological disorders are now the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. In the past 30 years, these numbers have skyrocketed, and the impact is only growing.
In 2019, 1 in 8 people globally lived with a mental health condition, and that number continues to rise.
The current strategies for brain health and prevention are not enough to counter the many threats we face today.
So what’s driving this neurological crisis — and what can we do about it?
Here are 5 major but often overlooked factors that negatively impact brain health, plus real, holistic strategies to help you protect and restore your neurological well-being.
1. Chronic Stress
your Stress ages the body and brain — fast. When stress becomes chronic, it increases acidity in the body and produces an excess of free radicals, both of which contribute to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline.
While both acidity and free radicals serve a biological purpose, an overload can harm the nervous system. Elevated acidity has been linked to anxiety, panic attacks, and inflammation in the brain and spinal cord (PMID: 26990767).
Holistic Ways to Buffer Stress:
Drink Ionized Hydrogen Water (Living Water)
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables
Use antioxidant-rich superfoods like raw cacao, sumac bran, cloves, turmeric, and cinnamon
Adopt daily stress-reduction techniques (breathwork, meditation, movement)
Remember: Stress is part of life, but with the right tools, we can prevent it from damaging our neurological health.
2. Excess Added Sugar
Sugar is essential for brain function, but too much of the wrong kind can be harmful.
Your brain uses about 20% of your body’s glucose, but it needs it in stable, moderate amounts.
Free sugars (added sugars, not those naturally found in fruits or whole foods) can lead to blood sugar imbalances that impair neurons, accelerate aging, and increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia (PMID: 38201905).
What You Can Do:
Limit sweetened beverages and processed snacks
Prioritize natural sugars with fiber and fat (like fruits, not juices or syrups)
Time sugar intake wisely — earlier in the day, paired with healthy fats and protein
Take inspiration from cultures like in Europe, where food is eaten mindfully, socially, and with balance
“Eat to live, not live to eat.” Too much of a good thing, even sugar, becomes toxic when unbalanced.
3. Social Isolation
Social connection is as essential as food. A longitudinal study of 12,030 participants aged 50 and older from the Health and Retirement Study found loneliness was associated with a 40% increased risk of dementia after controlling for effects of social isolation and risk factors (clinical, behavioral, and genetic).
When we’re deprived of meaningful interaction, the brain responds much like it does to hunger — by signaling distress. Studies show loneliness activates the brain's default mode network, the part responsible for imagination and future thinking, often leading people to withdraw into fantasy or memory.
What You Can Do:
Surround yourself with like-minded people who align with your goals and values
Join communities (like ours!) that promote connection, purpose, and growth
Prioritize quality relationships — even one deep connection can make a difference
You weren’t born to walk through life alone. Community is healing.
4. Negative Self-Talk
What you say to yourself becomes your reality.
Negative self-talk doesn’t just affect your mood — it can alter brain function. Research shows it reduces connectivity in the nucleus accumbens, the area involved in motivation and emotional processing.
The placebo effect is a powerful reminder of how deeply belief affects biology. People have experienced side effects from sugar pills simply because they believed they had taken something harmful.
Help rewire Your Mind:
Practice daily positive affirmations, ideally while looking in the mirror
Speak kindly to yourself — even when it’s uncomfortable
Replace negative thoughts with empowering truths
Your words hold power. Speak healing into your mind, body, and life.
5. Lack of Physical Fitness
You’ve heard it before: “Exercise is the most underrated antidepressant.” And science backs it up. Physical activity stimulates the release of neurotrophic factors, which support neuron growth, connectivity, and brain plasticity (PMID: 33414823).
This means better memory, mood, learning, and stress resilience.
Simple Ways to Move:
Go for a 5-minute walk
Do bodyweight squats to fatigue
Engage in something fun — dancing, sports, you name it
Aim for strength and anaerobic training a few times a week
Even a little movement daily can rewire your brain for clarity, resilience, and joy.
Emotional stress needs a physical release — and exercise is one of the best.
Final Thoughts
Your brain is constantly adapting — and you have more control than you think. With the right support, tools, and lifestyle, you can protect your neurological health, reverse harmful patterns, and live with more energy, clarity, and vitality.
If you’re ready to go deeper, join our community and learn how to take charge of your health in a holistic, sustainable way.
You deserve a sharp mind, a strong body, and a fulfilling life.
Comments