Along with a slew of other physical impacts that running a marathon can have on the human body, a new study reveals that your body may also start eating your brain while running the 26.2-mile race.
While this sounds terrifying, the effects the marathon has on the brain are reversible and it typically returns to normal levels in about two months. From this study, researchers are hoping to understand how the brain is able to repair itself so quickly and perhaps use this as a way to treat other disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
How the Brain Uses Myelin
The human brain contains myelin, a fatty substance that protects neurons. Myelin acts as an insulator that helps pass the brain’s electrical pulses between neurons safely and efficiently. Myeline can also be a source of energy during extreme metabolic conditions, according to a new study published in Nature Metabolism.
