Brain Detox Diet: How to Detox Your Brain for Ultimate Health

“Why would you need to detox your brain?”

Well, we constantly bombard our bodies with substances that promote inflammation and act as toxins.

The reckless food choices we make harm our bodies in ways we can not fathom. High-stress environments and lack of sleep simply add to the vicious cycle.

The result? Brain fog!

This article intends to break the cycle of toxicity. With just a few quick changes in our diets and routines, we can reform our lifestyle for the better.

And trust me as I say this, it’s the smallest changes that bring about the most significant revolution.

You look radiant, sound energetic, and make excellent decisions when you eat well. Incorporating a bit of exercise would be the cherry on the top.

Let us navigate our way together towards cerebral bliss!

The Glymphatic System; The Sewerage System of the Brain

Before we dive into the nitty gritties of cleansing our brains, let’s briefly discuss the glymphatic system.

We must understand how the glymphatic system works. This will help us take charge of our brain and enable us to detoxify it efficiently.

The glymphatic system clears waste from the central nervous system (CNS). It utilizes a network of vessels and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to get rid of the nasty stuff.

To get a visual concept of the glymphatic system, make sure to watch this video here. You’d be mesmerized by the intricacy and complexity of this network!

Research suggests that the glymphatic system is most active during sleep and almost disengages during wakefulness.

Thus having a healthy sleep cycle is pivotal for brain health and detoxification.

Lifestyle changes for Brain Detox

There isn’t a magic solution you can consume to reach peak cognitive performance suddenly.

The toxic build-up from poor lifestyle choices takes some time to clear out.

For a brain cleanse, you’ll need to overhaul every lifestyle department, such as:

• Sleep
• Diet
• Exercise
• Habits
• Supplementation

The sections below will cover each aspect separately.

Sleep to Detox Your Brain

We’ve already mentioned how the brain’s glymphatic system works only during sleep. Thus sleep is of paramount importance for an efficient brain cleanse.

It becomes essential to get enough sleep to support our body’s natural detox system throughout the week.

It isn’t just the quantity of sleep but also the quality. Non-REM or deep sleep is where the real cleansing magic happens.

You can use a sleep tracker linked to your smartwatch to track the amount of deep sleep you’re regularly getting.

To clear your concepts about REM and Non-REM sleep, click here.

The first step towards building a healthier sleep-wake cycle is to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.

Waking up and sleeping on time respects the circadian rhythm. As a result, you feel energized throughout the day.

Another crucial aspect is to get an ample amount of sleep, preferably 7-9 hours. A lack of sleep can cause a build-up of toxins that can gradually lead to cognitive decline.

Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to a bunch of health issues, including a decline in brain health.

Let’s look over some other tips to improve sleep quality:

• Keeping the bedroom cool (67-70 Farhenheit) and dark will help you sleep better
• Avoiding blue light exposure by powering your phone off before bed
• Quick meditation session before bed
• Sleep on your side; this proves to be a better position for optimal function of the glymphatic system
• Use scented candles or diffusers to create a relaxing ambiance
• Don’t eat just before your bedtime
• Avoid spicy and oily foods that might result in heartburn

Diet Choices to Detoxify Your Brain

We’re constantly eating out, slurping sugary drinks, and bypassing the consumption of nutritious food.

These eating habits lead to a constant state of grogginess and brain fog.

It is paramount that we fix our diets by incorporating foods that’ll enable us to cleanse our brains.

Only if you knew how small changes in diet could lead to drastic changes in brain health, you’d cut back on those soda cans right away!

Let us look at some superfoods that’ll bring your cognition right up to speed.

• Fatty fish
• Green tea
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Berries
• Dark chocolate
• Walnuts
• Eggs

You can check our detailed article on perfect foods to detoxify your brain for a comprehensive take on what foods to eat for a cognitive boost and how they cleanse the brain.

Another essential part is to keep ourselves hydrated at all times. Drink sufficient fluids; dehydration leads to headaches and slows cognitive function.

We all know the age-old expression, ‘you are what you eat’. So next time you’re about to chow down on that pepperoni pizza with a big fat soda can just before bed, recall how it’ll slow you down and hinder your performance.

How to Detoxify Your Brain With Exercise!

Getting your sweat on is vital not just for the body but your brain as well.

Working out, getting your heart rate up 3-4 times a week is essential for a healthy brain.

Sweat flushes toxins, and exercise unleashes endorphins into your system (the happy hormone). Endorphins relieve stress and create a feeling of euphoria.

Here are a few other exercises for the brain; physical and mental:

• Learning a new language will create new pathways in your brain, test your memory and expand horizons
• Try using your non-dominant hand; this will increase your brain activity because the brain will have to work harder to get things done
• Solving a jigsaw puzzle; research has shown that solving puzzles slow down visuospatial cognitive decline
• Building vocabulary keeps the mind sharp and engages many areas of the brain
• Learning a new skill improves memory in older adults, a claim backed by research
• Meditation is proven to jog your memory and increase the brain’s capacity to process information
• Solving crossword puzzles will indeed engage and improve your reasoning, attention, and memory
• Spend time with nature.
  

Like any part of the body, the brain also needs exercise to keep it active and shape.

P.S. Consider reading our article on activities that can significantly improve IQ and intelligence.

Habits – to Fix Brain Fog and Cleanse Your Brain

We need to adopt healthier habits to curb constant grogginess and brain fog.

Stop caving into your cravings, don’t look for that easy, quick fix off of postmates.

Look after your diet, sleep, stress levels, and most importantly, don’t forget to exercise!

You should also limit your screen time and blue light exposure before bed to cleanse the brain effectively.

Meditation before bed is much better for the brain than idly scrolling social media for hours.

This might sound slightly off the charts, but perseverance and dedication will get you there.

Supplementation for Brain Health

We’ve gone over everything one can do voluntarily to optimize their cognition and cleanse their brains.

Now let’s go over some of the best supplements to ignite that extra cognitive oomph.

• Milk thistle: It contains silymarin, an antioxidant that has demonstrated a reduction in cellular inflammation in the brain.
• Glutathione: It is an endogenous antioxidant with potent anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective capabilities.
• B-complexes: Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine helps develop neurotransmitters that aid memory reserves. It is effective for memory loss and ADHD.
• Fish oil: It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, the building block of the brain. Omega-3s play a vital role in optimizing memory and improving the brain’s overall health.

Consider reading our article on the best nootropics to enhance visual creativity.

These supplements will indeed have you feeling sharper. Your mind will feel active and ready for the cognitive challenges coming your way.

How to Detox Your Brain- My Final Thoughts…

It’ll surely take time to get used to all the new changes, but your mind will feel fresh and more energized once you get the hang of it.

Brain Wash by David Perlmutter, MD, is an excellent book if you’re looking to take control of your brain.

It will teach you how to escape intoxicating environments and habits that have hijacked our minds.

In the end, it’s necessary to reiterate the importance of being consistent in the changes you make. The health and wellbeing of your brain isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon.

Consistency is key. Results only surface when you stick to a regimen and abide by it.

P.S.  if you know someone who might benefit from this article, don’t be shy to share it with them.

What are your thoughts?

So, what are your thoughts on these ways to detoxify your brain?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below!