Is Glyphosate Damaging Your Brain? The True Effects Of This Harmful Herbicide

Your brain is an intricate and remarkable organ that makes you uniquely you. Our brain is the powerhouse that controls every thought we think, emotion we feel, and action we take. And this delicate network between our ears is uniquely susceptible to a toxin that’s become a growing concern in our increasingly toxic world.

The toxin I’m referring to is the widely used herbicide known as glyphosate. Today we’re going to explore the impact that this complex chemical has on our brain health and what you can do to protect yourself. Let’s dive in.

What Is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is an herbicide – a fancy term for a substance used to control unwanted plants, commonly called weeds. The weed-killing magic of glyphosate lies in its ability to inhibit what’s known as the shikimic acid pathway. This is a critical metabolic pathway that plants use to produce the enzymes and compounds they need to survive.?

Glyphosate inhibits or blocks the activity of the shikimic acid pathway. Once this switch is turned off, the weeds weaken until they eventually wither away and die. This remarkable ability to selectively target and kill certain plants has made glyphosate highly useful in the world of agriculture – making it one of the most widely used herbicides across the globe.1,2

Because we as humans don't use the same shikimic acid pathway for synthesizing essential molecules, some argue that this potent herbicide doesn’t cause harm to our bodies. But simply looking at whether or not glyphosate interrupts this specific metabolic circuit in the human body doesn’t give us the whole picture of what this herbicide really does to our health – not even close.

Is Glyphosate Harmful To Humans??

In short, the answer to this question is – yes! Glyphosate exposure has been linked to a number of health concerns including:3,4

• Cancer
• Kidney disease?
• Reproductive issues
• Birth defects
• Endocrine disruption and hormonal imbalances
• Gastrointestinal issues
• And more

But research is finding that glyphosate’s effects don’t end there. This herbicide can also have some frightening effects on your brain.

What Does Glyphosate Do To Your Brain?

Glyphosate can disrupt the delicate balance within your brain and cause damage via several distinct pathways. Let’s zoom in on each of these.

Disruption of the Gut-Brain Axis:

While we as humans don’t have the shikimic pathway, the microbes that make up our gut microbiome do. Many species of bacteria that reside in our gut rely on the shikimic pathway to produce essential metabolites and function optimally. Glyphosate’s interference with this crucial ability can shift the balance of your gut microbiome – causing beneficial bacteria to decrease and not-so-beneficial bacteria to begin overpopulating.

And this shift in the ecosystem of your microbiome (referred to as dysbiosis) is no small matter when it comes to your brain health. You see, your gut and your brain are directly connected via a superhighway known as your gut-brain axis. When your gut microbiome is disrupted, it negatively affects the signals transmitted along the gut-brain axis. This, in turn, negatively influences brain function and health.5,6

Decreased Short-Chain Fatty Acids:

Another side effect of this alteration to your microbiome is a decrease in the production of molecules known as short-chain fatty acids. You see, when certain beneficial bacteria break down the food you eat, they produce many beneficial by-products – one of which is short-chain fatty acids.?

These fatty acids are crucial for countless processes throughout your body. But one place that they play an especially important role is in your brain health. These tiny fatty acid chains serve as a source of fuel for your brain cells, shield your brain from inflammation, help modulate gene expression, and regulate your brain's immune response to name just a few important roles they play.

So, when glyphosate interferes with your gut microbiome it has a domino effect – putting a damper on the production of these important, health-boosting molecules.7,8

Impaired Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity:

Your blood-brain barrier is a membrane that tightly regulates the passage of substances between your bloodstream and your brain. There is some evidence suggesting that glyphosate may affect the integrity of this crucial blood-brain barrier – potentially allowing substances to enter the brain that would normally be restricted.

That means glyphosate can potentially allow toxins and other irritating compounds to leach their way into your brain where they can stir up inflammation and oxidative stress.9

Inflammation and Oxidative Stress:

Glyphosate and its effects can spark inflammation in your brain – activating your immune system as it attempts to neutralize the perceived threat. Sustained and uncontrolled inflammation can eventually lead to what’s known as oxidative stress – a process that occurs when there is a surplus of unstable molecules known as free radicals. These reactive molecules steal electrons from your cells in an attempt to stabilize themselves.

This robbing of electrons inevitably leaves your cells damaged and unable to perform their duties at full capacity. Accumulated damage can permanently alter cellular structure and even damage DNA – potentially leading to cell mutation or cellular death. Oxidative stress in your brain can lead to damaged neurons and deterioration of the protective sheath designed to protect the cells of your nervous system.10

Endocrine Disruption and Neurotransmitter Imbalance:

Your brain relies on tiny chemicals known as hormones and neurotransmitters to communicate with other parts of your brain and the rest of your body. Even small fluctuations in these molecules can trigger significant changes in the signals your brain is sending out. Glyphosate can disrupt this delicate balance of communication chemicals – leading to changes in brain health, mood, cognition, and more.11

It’s this combination of effects on your brain that makes glyphosate so concerning. Now that you have an understanding of what’s going on at the cellular levels when you’re exposed to glyphosate, let’s zoom out a little and look at how all of these underlying changes can add up.

Glyphosate Neurotoxicity: Neurological Conditions Potentially Linked To Glyphosate

Research is finding that glyphosate's damaging effects on brain health can add up – eventually contributing to a whole host of brain-based conditions including:12,13,14

• Alzheimer's disease: There is ongoing research exploring potential links between glyphosate exposure and Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurological condition characterized by cognitive decline.
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Glyphosate exposure has been explored as a potential factor in the development or exacerbation of ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting attention and impulse control.
• Autism spectrum disorders (ASD): Research has suggested potential links between glyphosate exposure and the risk of autism spectrum disorders, which are characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication.
• Cognitive impairment: Studies have investigated the impact of glyphosate on cognitive function, with some suggesting potential associations with cognitive impairment.
• Depression and anxiety: Imbalances in neurotransmitters, potentially influenced by glyphosate, have been associated with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
• Epilepsy: Some studies have investigated the potential role of glyphosate in epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
• Neurodevelopmental disorders: Glyphosate exposure has been studied for its potential impact on neurodevelopment, and associations have been proposed with neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
• Other neuroinflammatory conditions: Glyphosate's potential to induce inflammation has led to hypotheses about its role in neuroinflammatory conditions, which are implicated in a wide variety of neurological disorders.
• Parkinson's disease: Some studies have suggested associations between glyphosate exposure and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder affecting movement.

With such serious implications for your brain health, you’re probably wondering what you can do to protect yourself from glyphosate.

How Can I Protect Myself From Glyphosate?

Given the extensive use of glyphosate and its pervasive presence in the environment, it’s impossible to entirely avoid glyphosate. But not to worry, simply taking some steps to minimize your exposure to this herbicide can go a long way in shielding your brain from the toxic effects of glyphosate. Here’s what you can do:

Prioritize Organic and Non-Gmo Foods:?

Opt for organic and non-genetically modified organism (GMO) foods. GMO crops are often treated with high levels of glyphosate and other chemicals. Choosing organic options, including produce, coffee, and animal products, can significantly reduce your exposure.

Minimize Your Overall Toxic Burden:?

Your body is more than capable of handling small amounts of toxins. It’s when your system gets so bogged down that these toxic compounds begin accumulating is when things get tricky. Doing things like making low-tox swaps, supporting your natural detoxification pathways, and incorporating toxin-trapping detox binders (like ZeoBind Plus) can help your body better eliminate unavoidable glyphosate exposure.

Support Your Gut:?

A strong healthy gut can help you better eliminate glyphosate and keep inflammation in check. On top of a healthy diet, it can be helpful to add in some gut-boosting supplements like:?

• Probiotics to support your microbiome
• Gut Shield or Collagen to keep your gut barrier strong
• Ion Gut to support tight junction integrity, enhance communication along your gut-brain axis, and support your microbiome
• Beam Minerals to supply important cellular nutrition and detoxification support – helping your gut function at optimal capacity (use the discount code: DrJill to get 20% off your order of Beam Minerals)

This strategic combo of supplements can supercharge your gut health – giving you an added layer of defense against glyphosate exposure.

Filter Your Water:?

Runoff from agricultural operations means we inevitably end up with glyphosate tainting our tap water. So be sure to filter your water through a trusted filtration system before drinking it. Click here to learn more about how to pick the right water filter for you.

Incorporate Detox-Boosting Supplements:?

A detox-focused supplement strategy can be a game-changer when it comes to supporting your ability to effectively neutralize and eliminate the steady stream of toxins we’re all exposed to daily. My Detox Bundle is a simple and powerfully effective way to supercharge your natural detox pathways with minimal effort. Click here to learn more and order your Detox Bundle today.

Add In Brain-Boosting Supplements:?

To give your brain an extra layer of protection against glyphosate, it can be helpful to incorporate some supplements specifically formulated to target your brain. Some of my favorite brain-boosting supplements are:

• Glutathione Essentials to uplevel your antioxidant power
• Omega Essentials DHA for a hefty dose of brain-supporting fatty acids
• Brain Boost to combat free radical damage
• Brain Mag which contains the only form of magnesium proven to cross the blood-brain barrier to to support brain health and promote normal cognitive function
• Cognicare to promote blood circulation and neurotransmitter balance

By following these simple steps, you can help your body effectively manage exposure to glyphosate and other toxins – mitigating the risk of long-term damage.

So, How Worried Should I Really Be When It Comes To Glyphosate?

Our world is becoming increasingly toxic – with glyphosate exposure representing only a fraction of the noxious chemicals that we’re all inevitably exposed to on a daily basis. So it’s up to us to take measures to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this never-ending barrage of toxins. While that might sound dismal and disheartening at first, it’s actually a good thing!

Because when we’re armed with the right knowledge and resources, we can make choices that support and protect our well-being – without being afraid or stressed out. Glyphosate and other toxins are definitely worth educating yourself about and worth investing the effort to make little lifestyle tweaks to protect yourself. And then you can rest easy knowing that these small day-to-day choices you’re making have a compound effect that pays off big-time when it comes to your health.

I’m on a mission to help empower you – my patients and readers – with science-backed resources just like this to help you navigate the sometimes murky waters of creating a healthy lifestyle. Because creating vibrant health and well-being doesn’t have to be confusing, stressful, or challenging. So if you’re looking for more ways to simplify and streamline your health journey, you’ve got to check out my Resource Roadmap.

It’ll help connect you to the most valuable information and resources for wherever you’re at on your journey. And the best part is, it’s yours for free. Just click here to download your Resource Roadmap today!

Resources:

1. Shikimic Acid Pathway – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
2. Glyphosate General Fact Sheet (orst.edu)
3. Can Glyphosate Herbicide Harm Your Health? (webmd.com)
4. Toxicological Profile for Glyphosate – Health Effects (cdc.gov)
5. Is the Use of Glyphosate in Modern Agriculture Resulting in Increased Neuropsychiatric Conditions Through Modulation of the Gut-brain-microbiome Axis? – PMC (nih.gov)
6. Pesticide exposure and the microbiota-gut-brain axis | The ISME Journal (nature.com)
7. Low-dose glyphosate exposure alters gut microbiota composition and modulates gut homeostasis – ScienceDirect
8. Is the Use of Glyphosate in Modern Agriculture Resulting in Increased Neuropsychiatric Conditions Through Modulation of the Gut-brain-microbiome Axis? – PMC (nih.gov)
9. Glyphosate infiltrates the brain and increases pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα: implications for neurodegenerative disorders | Journal of Neuroinflammation | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)
10. Glyphosate exposure and urinary oxidative stress biomarkers in the Agricultural Health Study – PubMed (nih.gov)
11. Neurotransmitter changes in rat brain regions following glyphosate exposure – ScienceDirect
12. Toxic Effects of Glyphosate on the Nervous System: A Systematic Review – PMC (nih.gov)
13. Association between glyphosate exposure and cognitive function, depression, and neurological diseases in a representative sample of US adults: NHANES 2013–2014 analysis – ScienceDirect
14. Glyphosate infiltrates the brain and increases pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα: implications for neurodegenerative disorders – PubMed (nih.gov)

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. ? The information in this article is not intended to replace any recommendations or relationship with your physician. ?Please review references sited at end of article for scientific support of any claims made.