손으로 뇌 청소할 수 있다? 세계가 놀란 ‘치매 막는 마사지’
Many people focus on eating healthy foods and taking supplements to prevent dementia and slow aging. Still, when it comes to dementia prevention, “what to add” is actually less important than “what to remove.” This discovery highlights the importance of waste removal in maintaining brain health as we age.
The brain, the command center of our body, is a massive factory that operates 24/7. As with any factory, the operation of brain cells inevitably produces a large amount of waste. The problem arises when this waste is not expelled in a timely manner. While waste used to flow freely when we were younger, the brain’s “sewer system” becomes clogged and narrowed with age.
When waste isn’t eliminated, it begins to stick together in the brain. This buildup is the source of amyloid beta and tau proteins, substances that cause Alzheimer’s disease. Brain aging and dementia stem from a failure to eliminate waste.
Until recently, modern medicine didn’t fully understand where or how this waste was eliminated. However, a groundbreaking study published in the academic journal ‘Nature’ has unlocked the secrets to this process.
The study revealed that stimulating the lymphatic system can increase cerebrospinal fluid, which helps to remove waste from the brain. Researchers have discovered a previously unknown connection between facial massage and brain health. According to a report in the Mijoo Central Daily, specific massage techniques can support clear this “brain sewer system.”
Engaging in conversations and physically moving facial muscles are excellent ways to cleanse the brain, as they stimulate these crucial pathways. The findings suggest that simple, accessible interventions like facial massage could play a role in preventing cognitive decline.
The research builds on earlier observations about sleep patterns and brain health. For example, the “R90” sleep method, popularized by soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, involves breaking up sleep into 90-minute intervals throughout the day. His sleep coach, Nick Littlehales, argues this approach allows for more frequent recovery periods and maximizes energy levels. This concept of ‘polyphasic sleep’—sleeping multiple times a day instead of one long stretch—is gaining renewed attention.
While the effectiveness of polyphasic sleep for the average person is still being investigated, the underlying principle—that the brain benefits from regular periods of rest and waste removal—is consistent with the latest research on lymphatic drainage and facial massage. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal massage techniques and their long-term impact on dementia risk.
Other recent research highlights the importance of hydration for brain health—with one study suggesting that adequate water intake can help prevent cognitive decline—and the potential of targeted therapies to restore memory function.
