9 Facts To Keep In Mind For Brain Health Awareness

In 2024, March 11th marks the start of the annual Brain Awareness Week, a global campaign to support brain science and health. In the United States, a brain health issue affects about eight in 10 people. You can improve your health and the health of those you love by learning more about the brain and sharing what you learn. These nine facts about brain health can help you get started.  

1. Most Headaches Are Not a Sign of Brain Tumors 

Many people worry that headaches, especially severe headaches, may be a sign of a brain tumor or other serious brain health condition. You may be relieved to know that, in most cases, headaches are nothing to worry about. 

Headaches are common and can range from mildly annoying to debilitating. Migraines and other types of headaches may require medical treatment for symptom management. Still, they’re typically not a sign of a serious health condition. Unlike headaches, brain tumors are rare. 

“For the great majority of folks, headaches are not a sign of a brain tumor,” says Rajiv Magge, M.D., board-certified neuro-oncologist at Weill Cornell Brain Tumor Center, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College and Assistant Attending Neurologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “When it comes to brain tumors, the main things we're looking out for are new, severe headaches or changes in the quality of headaches, seizures, weakness and sensory loss, speaking trouble and significant cognitive or memory changes.” 

2. Staying Connected to Others Boosts Brain Health 

Having strong social ties supports mental health and memory, problem-solving and thinking skills. When people feel lonely or socially isolated, they have an increased risk of developing anxiety, depression and cognitive decline. Talk with a trusted friend or healthcare provider if you’re feeling isolated or lonely. They can offer ideas and resources to help you build community and strengthen connections.  

3. High Blood Pressure Can Increase Your Risk of Dementia 

You may already know high blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading cause of stroke, but did you know it can also contribute to some types of dementia? 

Even having slightly elevated blood pressure over time is linked to cognitive decline and memory loss. However, there are several ways you can lower your blood pressure and risk for dementia and stroke at the same time, such as: 

4. Your Gut and Brain Are Connected 

Researchers have long known the brain sends messages through the nervous system to the gut, or digestive tract. Now, we also know the gut sends messages back to the brain. When the environment in the gut is off balance, it may affect your daily mood or contribute to neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease. 

Your diet, lifestyle and stress levels can all affect the environment inside your gut. Avoiding processed foods, eating a high-fiber diet and making healthy lifestyle choices can boost your gut and brain health. 

5. Cellphones Don’t Cause Brain Tumors 

It's common to worry that radiation from cellphones may cause cancer. However, cellphones are considered safe.  

“There's no clear association with cellphone use so far that we're aware of causing brain tumors,” Dr. Magge says. “People in general, including myself, use smartphones all day long, and there's no clear correlation.” 

6. Mindfulness Supports Brain Health 

Stress is the body's natural reaction to danger. It can be helpful and healthy in short bursts, but long-term, or chronic, stress can negatively affect brain health. 

Chronic stress may lead to: 

Practicing mindfulness, or awareness of the present moment, can decrease chronic stress, improve brain function, lower blood pressure and support overall health. 

7. Use Your Whole Brain 

No matter what pop culture sources say, people use far more than 10% of their brains. Most of the brain is active around the clock, even when you sleep.  

Similarly, memes highlighting right-brain or left-brain dominance are rooted in myth. Brain activities once thought to occur on a specific side of the brain require complex coordination between both sides. It is true, though, that various parts of the brain specialize in certain types of activity. For example, the prefrontal cortex, which sits just behind the forehead, plays an essential role in decision-making and reasoning. Interestingly, this part of the brain isn’t fully developed until a person is in their mid-20s.  

8. Hearing Aids Can Help Prevent Cognitive Decline 

People with age-related hearing loss have an increased risk of cognitive decline. Wearing hearing aids can help prevent or slow these changes in the brain. Hearing aids may be especially helpful in supporting the brain health of people with risk factors for dementia, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.  

9. Sleep is Essential 

While your body rests, your brain is active. Researchers don't yet fully understand the role of sleep and brain health, but we do know sleep helps remove toxins from the brain. Getting enough sleep can also decrease stress and improve learning, memory and mood. Adults generally need at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. 

Practicing positive sleep hygiene can help you improve your sleep and brain health. To improve your bedtime routine, try: 

What to Do if You Have Questions About Brain Health 

If you’re experiencing headaches, significant memory changes or sudden shifts in mood, your healthcare provider can help find the cause and offer care recommendations.  

“If there's anything that concerns you, especially something new, you definitely want to be evaluated by your primary care doctor or neurologist to make sure nothing significant is going on,” Dr. Magge says. “A lot of folks will have symptoms, such as headaches, that are not worrisome, but if you have symptoms that don't go away or progressively get worse, I think that's a reason to be evaluated. Your doctors and care providers will make sure they're not seeing any clear neurological deficits that might be concerning.” 

Talk with a Weill Cornell Medicine provider to learn more about brain health.