How does lifestyle affect the brain?

Lifestyle includes many things such as diet, exercise, substance use, socialization and management of medical conditions. Life choices can accelerate brain aging and increase risk for vascular disease or injury.

• Sedentary lifestyle: individuals who sit for prolonged periods of time (e.g., excessive TV/couch time) have poorer health outcomes. It is important to be physically active throughout the day.

• Lack of exercise

• Poor diet

• Poor sleep

• Chronic or excessive alcohol/substance use

• Smoking

• Chronic stress

• Social isolation

Several medical conditions, when poorly controlled, can accelerate brain aging.

• Diabetes

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Hyper- or Hypothyroidism

• Vitamin deficiency

• Sleep apnea

• Cardiac problems

Some medications, if used incorrectly or in excess, can also impact cognition.

• Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin

• Opioids such as oxycodone

• Sleep aids such as Ambien