3 common habits that can harm the brain and even cause stroke, a neurologist reveals

You might be spending thousands of dollars on your supplements and diet to boost brain health, but sometimes all of that goes down the drain if you are sticking to poor habits. The worst part is, most of us are unaware of what these habits are. Some common habits that we assume are healthy are also putting your brain at high stake. In a video shared on Instagram, Dr Bing, a neurologist, working at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, revealed three common habits that can dangerously harm the brain. What are they? Let’s take a look....

Using a massage gun on the neck

Massage guns are becoming increasingly popular, thanks to the sedentary lifestyle. However, Dr Bing steers clear of such tools. The biggest reason? This tool, which is supposed to relax you, might give you a stroke. “I would not use a massage gun on my neck. This is because the vertebral and carotid arteries in the neck are relatively superficial. They supply blood to the brain but are vulnerable to damage from the repetitive shear forces from a massage gun. This can increase the risk of arterial dissection, which is a tear in the artery wall, especially in those who may already have weaker vessel walls, leading to blood clots forming, blocking blood flow, and triggering a stroke,” Dr Bing said.

The complications of a seemingly harmless massage gun do not end there. “In addition, many people have carotid artery plaques that they don't even know are there, and strong vibrations or direct pressure can dislodge plaques, causing a clot to travel to the brain and leading to an ischaemic stroke,” he added.




According to a 2022 case report published in the journal CPC Emergency Medicine, a 27-year-old woman developed vertebral artery dissection after using a handheld massage gun on her neck for at least three weeks. Vertebral artery dissection is a potential cause of stroke.

Listening to loud music on earbuds

One common habit that may damage the brain is listening to loud music on earbuds. This habit is not just bad for your ears; it is even more disastrous for your brain. Your love for music could turn into a recipe for dementia in no time. “I don't blast music in my ears. I used to be guilty of this, but I don't do it anymore because loud music isn't just bad for your ears, it's actually bad for your brain as well. Even mild hearing loss doubles the risk of dementia, while severe hearing loss increases it fivefold. This is because when the brain struggles to process sound, it reallocates resources away from memory and thinking, increasing cognitive decline. Sounds above 85 decibels, similar to city traffic, can cause damage over time, while exposure to over 100 decibels, like a loud concert or many earbuds at max volume, can cause permanent hearing loss in as little as 15 minutes,” Dr Bing said.

A 2018 study by researchers at Ohio State University found that listening to loud music drains cognitive resources. The study, published in eNeuro, found that this loud blare hurts thinking and memory, and can eventually lead to dementia.

Holding a sneeze

Yes, that’s right. Do not hold back a sneeze. It may save you from unwanted attention for the moment, but it can lead to aneurysms in the brain. “This is because sneezing generates high internal pressure that's higher than your car tyre pressure. Holding it in forces this pressure into delicate areas and may lead to ruptured eardrums, torn blood tissues, and even air leaking into the chest. In rare cases, the sudden spike in pressure can rupture blood vessels in the brain, leading to subarachnoid haemorrhage or intracerebral bleeding, especially in individuals with aneurysms or weakened arteries. The safest approach is to let the sneeze out naturally and cover your mouth and nose,” the doctor explained.

Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment, or before changing your diet or supplement regimen.