You are, right now, FULL OF PLASTIC. Not metaphorically. Literally.

This episode takes on the glittery, invisible menace hiding in your bloodstream, your lungs, your placenta, and, yes, your brain: microplastics. From the toothpaste scrubbers banned a decade ago to the metalized glitter that replaced them (thanks for nothing, craft industry), this episode traces how plastic went from 'convenient packaging' to 'permanent roommate in your carotid artery.' And why your brain is a five-star resort for nanoplastics. It also details the most common ways that these particles get into your body. For example, it turns out you're eating about a credit card's worth of plastic a week. This isn't a panic episode. It's also not a 'don't worry about it' episode. It's a 'here's what the most recent scientific literature says, here's what's still unknown, and here's what you can actually do about it' episode. No $300 detox products required, just information, a plan, and maybe a small vendetta against glitter.

Click here for key references (including note about a disputed reference):

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J4wg9KT-dSKBFxOYCy_7N_mhVyaUUvF7xCgoa0ZuXcY/preview

Topics covered in this episode

Microplastics
Nanoplastics
Primary microplastics
Accidental microplastics
Plastic degradation and photo-degradation
Plastic glitter and microplastic pollution
Single-use plastics
Synthetic clothing and microfiber shedding
PET and plastic fibers
Washing machines and microfiber pollution
Tire wear and microplastic pollution
Wastewater treatment and microplastics
Microplastics in the environment
Microplastics in the human body
Microplastics in blood and organs
Microplastics in the brain
Microplastics in breast milk and placenta
Microplastics in food and drinking water
Bottled water and microplastics
Microplastic inhalation
Indoor microplastic exposure
Dermal exposure to microplastics
Blood-brain barrier and nanoplastics
Microplastics and chemical leaching
Microplastics and environmental contaminants
Microplastics and heavy metals
Microplastics and pesticides
Microplastics and cardiovascular health
Microplastics in arterial plaque
Inflammation and oxidative stress
Microplastics and endothelial cells
Microplastics and gene signaling
Microplastics and vascular disease
Microplastics dose-response
Unknowns in microplastic health research
Reducing microplastic exposure
Water filters and microplastics
Plastic food containers and microwave heating
Glass and ceramic food containers
Microfiber filters for washing machines
Natural fiber clothing
Indoor air and microplastics
HEPA filters and microplastics

Microplastic detox products
Microplastics in marine food webs
Trophic transfer of microplastics
Microplastics in fish
Microplastics in agricultural soil
Atmospheric deposition of microplastics
Microplastics and earthworms
Microplastics and soil microbes
Microplastics and food production
Plastic production and environmental pollution
Global plastics treaty
Plastic recycling and microplastic pollution