Neurologist shares 3 common habits that can cause brain damage

Sitting on the toilet seat for too long is a bad habit that is not good for your brain health (Picture Credit: Pexels)

When it comes to looking after brain health, most people focus on consuming the right foods, working out consistently, and incorporating supplements into their routine. However, they often overlook simple daily habits that may be undermining their efforts.

Dr Bing, a neurologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, took to his Instagram account to explain how most people don’t even think about the habits that could be harming their brain health. He shared three things he absolutely avoids as a neurosurgeon, recommending others to follow suit.

Wearing headphones to bed

This was on the top of his list. “If you are one of those people who wear headphones to bed, just make sure that the sounds that you're playing are quiet and not loud because loud sounds can damage the hair cells in your inner ear and over time can raise your risk of hearing loss and dementia,” he warned.

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Dr. Bing added that wearing earbuds and headphones for long hours can also trap moisture and bacteria, which raises the risk of ear infections. Additionally, he said, “If you're listening to loud sounds during sleep, it might interrupt your deep sleep and disrupt your lymphatic system, which is your brain's nightly cleaning cycle that cleans out toxins.”

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Ignoring gum health

Most people have no idea that gum health is related to brain function. “Every night, I floss and I water floss and then I brush because recent studies have shown that gum health might be related to someone's brain health,” he said.

"A 2025 found that people with more gum disease and cavities had almost double the risk of stroke, and other studies have linked poor oral health to dementia and cognitive decline. Association is not causation but strong repeated associations are how we first uncover risks and ignoring them means ignoring warning signs,” he added.

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Sitting too long on the toilet seat

He recommended not sitting on the toilet seat for more than 5 minutes. “This is because sitting too long and straining can cause blood to pool in your legs and drop your blood pressure, especially if you have certain underlying conditions, and not enough blood going to your brain can cause someone to faint. Unfortunately, I see examples of this every week. If you have chronic bowel disease, I feel for you and you may not have a choice but otherwise do not linger on the toilet.”

FAQs on habits that cause damage to brain:

1. Can lack of sleep harm the brain?

Yes. Poor sleep affects memory, focus, and long-term brain health.

2. Does chronic stress damage the brain?

Yes. Long-term stress can shrink memory-related areas and impair decision-making.

3. Are excessive screen habits harmful to the brain?

They can be. Too much screen time affects attention span and mental clarity.

4. Does poor diet affect brain function?

Yes. High sugar, processed foods, and unhealthy fats reduce cognitive performance.

5. Can skipping physical activity hurt the brain?

Yes. Lack of exercise reduces blood flow to the brain and slows cognitive function.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.