Air pollution works like a slow, invisible stressor on our cognitive systems. Those microscopic particles can cross the blood-brain barrier, triggering inflammation and potentially accelerating the processes that lead to cognitive decline. But there are things we can do to protect our brain health.

As I slid into the functional MRI machine, I had a moment where I asked myself: Why did I sign up for this again?

If you’ve been feeling foggy, forgetful, easily distracted, or creatively blocked, you’re not alone. But there might be something your brain is asking for.