April 3, 2023 – Nobody likes being stuck in traffic. Now, recent research shows that sitting through rush hour also carries significant risks to brain health that you simply didn't find out about.
A study from the University of British Columbia found that just a couple of minutes of inhaling diesel soot can impair brain performance for hours. More specifically, the researchers found that any such exposure can alter brain performance. Standard mode networkor DMN. The DMN is made up of interconnected brain regions which can be partly answerable for memory and thought processes. The researchers found that this activity was lower in people exposed to diesel pollution.
Disturbances within the functional connectivity of the brain are also related to depressionThe study shows that brain function returns to normal inside hours of diesel pollution stopping, nevertheless it isn't known exactly how much pollution may cause everlasting damage.
On one other front, Research A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that a high quality particulate matter called PM2.5, present in traffic air, may increase the chance of dementia. PM2.5 is made up of dirt particles suspended within the air. Of 91 million people studied, 5.5 million developed dementia; those diagnosed with the disease had more exposure to traffic than those undiagnosed with the disease. The researchers also found that the chance of dementia increased by 3% for each microgram per cubic meter of PM2.5 an individual was exposed to. PM2.5 particles are very small and could be inhaled very deeply into the lungs, entering the brain through the nose. It is assumed that this is how cell death in the brain beginsand result in diseases reminiscent of Alzheimer's.
Car exhaust is only one kind of traffic that may negatively impact your brain. While there's no solution to completely avoid the potential dangers, the excellent news is which you can learn how one can reduce your risk and keep your brain healthy on a day by day basis.
What are the symptoms of traffic-related brain problems?
You should tell your doctor about any dizziness or mental confusion you notice, especially after driving.
Hearing problems could also be a lesser-known but necessary sign of the results traffic pollution can have in your brain.
“Excessive exposure to traffic noise can lead to tinnitus,” said Stéphane F. Maison, PhD, associate professor of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery at Harvard Medical School and principal investigator at Eaton-Peabody Laboratories at Mass General Brigham Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston. “This causes you to experience a constant ringing or buzzing in your ears. These symptoms can lead to sleep deprivation, anxiety and depression.”
A lesser-known reason for problems with mental abilities after listening to traffic noise is HyperacousticsThis rare disorder causes sounds such as a car engine to become unbearably loud. Hyperacusis can occur after a head injury, due to a virus, or as a result of conditions such as migraines.
“Hyperacusis can also lead to depression,” says Maison. “If you suspect you have symptoms of tinnitus or hyperacusis, get a hearing test.”
Can traffic noise cause or worsen mental illness?
Yes, say experts – depending on how much noise you are exposed to. A team of British and German researchers reported If you are very sensitive to noise, traffic noise that really bothers you can lead to various forms of mental illness if you are at risk. Traffic noise can also aggravate already diagnosed mental illnesses.
However, the way this happens varies from person to person.
“I don't think there is a specific duration of exposure to traffic noise that is more disturbing,” said the lead study author Stephen StansfeldPhD, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at Queen Mary University of London, UK “The time of day, for example; traffic noise early in the morning or late at night can be more disruptive and disrupt rest and sleep times.”
Another study found that exposure to traffic noise can lead to a 9 percent chance of severe anxiety. It is thought that this happens because noise such as traffic noise can trigger the release of stress hormones in some people.
The key to whether these kinds of negative consequences can occur seems to be the duration of time you hear traffic. Longer commutes – not just a short drive or walk through a congested area – that are continuous seem to have the greatest impact.
“Health effects are more likely if they persist over a longer period of time, over months and years,” Stansfeld said.
How can I protect my brain while commuting?
“Invest in custom-made earplugs,” Maison recommends. “You can even use regular foam earplugs, but they're uncomfortable and you'll likely stop wearing them. Custom-made earplugs are very comfortable because they fit snugly in your ear.”
There are also custom-made earplugs with different levels of sound attenuation, which are important so you can still hear what's going on around you. Never block your hearing while driving.
Further tips are:
- Roll up the windows. This is the easiest way to avoid inhaling exhaust fumes. Also make sure that the air filter in your car is in good condition.
- Don't turn the music in your car up too loud.
- If you are stuck in traffic for a long time, turn off the engine to prevent excessive exhaust fumes from entering your car through the air vents.
- If you walk or cycle to work, choose a route that is as far away from busy traffic areas as possible.
- Avoid sitting near sources of exhaust fumes on public transport such as buses.
- Wear a mask in your commute to work, simply to be protected.