Extremely common herbicides are harmful to teen brain function, study shows

Not that kind of herb.

Common herbicides used to grow crops could be hindering adolescent brain function, scientists warned in new research released by the University of California, San Diego.

“Many chronic diseases and mental health disorders in adolescents and young adults have increased over the last two decades worldwide, and exposure to neurotoxic contaminants in the environment could explain a part of this increase,” said senior author Dr. Jose Ricardo Suarez, M.D., an associate professor at the university’s Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health.

The researchers, whose work was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, found that those teens exposed were associated with “worse” brain function, the school announced.

A Stanford University study from 2019 had found similar.

The most recent study analyzed urine samples from over 500 kids aged 11-17 who lived in an agricultural region of Ecuador.

Tests identified that the herbicide Glyphosate, which is commonly used on corn, soy and to reduce vegetation, was present in 98% of the participants and impacted their social perception.

Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (known also as 2,4-D), a broadleaf herbicide used often on lawns, crops, and over water, was observed in 66% of the teens.

Of that cohort, those with high 2,4-D concentrations were found to perform lower with attention and inhibitory control, memory and learning, and language.

These two chemicals are, according to the authors, the most widely used herbicides on Earth.

“Hundreds of new chemicals are released into the market each year, and more than 80,000 chemicals are registered for use today,” added Suarez.

“Sadly, very little is known about the safety and long-term effects on humans for most of these chemicals. Additional research is needed to truly understand the impact.”