Leaky Brain: Permeability in the Blood-Brain Barrier

Health care professionals seem to toss around the word “leaky” a lot now. You will find headlines about leaky gut, leaky brain, leaky mouth, and more. What does this mean?

In medicine, it means that the natural barriers in our systems that protect us from pathogens, foreign particles, and toxins have been breached, and the harmful substances can leak into our organs. The result is inflammation in the affected areas, and inflammation can cause illness and disease.

With a leaky gut, the protective lining of the GI tract fails to stop pathogens, toxins, waste, and undigested food particles from entering your bloodstream. This can occur in the brain as well.

The brain’s protective system is called the blood-brain barrier (BBB). It allows the good things in while keeping out the harmful substances like heavy metals and harmful chemicals. However, when the brain or gut becomes leaky, the barriers have become overly permeable enabling the harmful substances through. Typically, the barriers will be breached at the same time, frequently due to a compromised immune system. Someone with a leaky gut also has a leaky brain, which is reinforced by the gut-brain axis.

Mental disorders around the globe are increasing and becoming more common. It may be linked to leaky brain. Because the brain controls the body, health problems throughout the body become more common as well. As a result, the following health conditions may occur: