The human brain? Now that’s a peculiar organ if ever there was one. In a TikTok video that’s left many viewers scratching their heads, microbiologist @mariedoesstuff shared some mind-boggling brain facts courtesy of her neuroscientist friend. The revelations are so unsettling that recovery from them seems impossible.
Let’s dive in. According to the neuroscientist, most of the brain, believe it or not, doesn’t actually contain blood. This fact alone might make your brain feel a bit lightheaded. The choroid plexus, a structure in the brain, filters blood to create cerebrospinal fluid, essentially turning blood into brain juice. This fluid cushions the brain, which is pretty much the brain’s version of floating on a waterbed.
Although the brain demands a hefty 20% of our blood supply despite making up only 2% of our body weight, it has a strict “no direct contact” policy with blood. Not a single neuron touches a capillary. Yes, you read that right. Neuroscience-based YouTube channel Neuroscientifically Challenged further explains this phenomenon, highlighting the blood-brain barrier that prevents toxins, pathogens, and other potentially dangerous substances from entering the brain from the circulatory system.
If you thought that was mind-blowing, wait till you hear this: Every neuron is within 50 micrometers of a capillary for gas exchange, but there are no blood products like blood cells, lymph, or blood proteins in the brain. This has some exceptions, of course, like the circumventricular organs where the blood-brain barrier is intentionally absent to allow hormone release into the bloodstream (BroadwayWorld) (whattowatch.com) (The Mirror).
Our friendly TikToker confessed that these facts made her deeply uncomfortable. And why wouldn’t they? The thought of your brain being so isolated from your blood is enough to make anyone squirm.
But hold on, there’s more to marvel at. The brain’s ventricles are essentially purposeful holes that help keep the brain afloat within the skull. This fact had TikTok users buzzing. One user commented, “Everything I learn about the meat mech has been against my will and uncomfortable.” Another chimed in, “Makes sense why a brain bleed is so bad then I guess, I never knew that.”
Adding a touch of humor, yet another user joked, “It’s just gas exchange? So I really am an airhead?” To which the original poster replied, “We all are.” It’s good to know that in the vast expanse of the internet, we’re all just a bunch of airheads together.
So, if you find yourself disturbed by these brainy revelations, take solace in knowing that you’re not alone. The brain is a weird, wonderful organ that continues to baffle scientists and casual TikTokers alike. And next time you find yourself pondering the mysteries of the mind, remember: it’s all just a matter of gas exchange and cerebrospinal fluid. Comforting, right?