What COVID-19 really does to your brain

December 4, 2022
by RJ Hamster

YOUR WEEKLY CHECKUP

This week: We may finally know why COVID-19 causes brain fog; herbs that may help fight off the sniffles; the most eco-friendly plant-based milks; why leeches are still a thing in medicine; the most amazing medical discoveries of the year; two new variants take over the U.S.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMES CAVALLINI, SCIENCE SOURCE

Why does COVID-19 cause brain fog? Scientists may finally have an answer.

Nearly 40 percent of long COVID patients suffer from the disorienting condition. Destroyed connections between brain cells may be to blame.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

MORE ON COVID AND YOUR BRAIN: Even mild COVID-19 can cause your brain to shrink +

PHOTOGRAPH BY WESTEND 69/GETTY IMAGES

7 herbs that may help fight cold and flu

This winter, take a breath. And if you can’t, here are some natural remedies, from echinacea to marshmallow, commonly used to offer relief.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

THE DARK SIDE OF NATURAL: Everyday foods and cosmetics that use wild plants may be harming the environment +

PHOTOGRAPH BY NATASHA BREEN, REDA&CO/UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP/GETTY IMAGES

Is your favorite plant-based milk good for the planet? Here’s how they compare.

Oat, soy, hemp, and more: If you’re looking to ditch dairy, the options can be overwhelming. Here’s what you need to know about each milk’s environmental effects.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

BREAST MILK: We know more about cows’ milk than human milk. New research is changing that. +

PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WEGNER, LAIF/REDUX

Leeches are still used in medicine—yes, really. Here’s why.

Long dismissed as a throwback to the Middle Ages, doctors have been turning to the parasites to help transplant and plastic surgery patients.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

ROACHES IN NOSES: A horrifying list of creatures that can crawl into your body +

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

NG STAFF

Subvariants BQ.1.1 and BQ.1 are now dominant in the U.S.

The FDA has pulled the plug on the COVID-19 drug bebtelovimab, which may not work against the two variants.

TRACKING COVID IN THE U.S.

THE MOST AMAZING MEDICAL DISCOVERIES OF 2022

This week we published our annual list of the most amazing discoveries of the year. These are the medical finds that made the list.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALICE ZOO

A miracle plant was eaten into extinction 2,000 years ago—or was it?

A CHEMICAL ‘GOLD MINE’

MATTHIEU PALEY, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Major UN report says climate change is taking a large toll on our health

WHY HEAT IS DEADLY

PHOTOGRAPH BY MAX ALGUILERA-HELLWEG, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Scientists are trying to resurrect mostly dead organs—here’s why

A BREAKTHROUGH

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALEXANDER STEIN, JOKER/ULLSTEIN BILD/GETTY IMAGES

Microplastics are in our bodies. How much do they harm us?

FOUND IN LUNGS, BLOOD

MORE HEALTH NEWS

The truth about immune-boosting supplements

What wild baboons can teach us about aging

Sperm counts worldwide are plummeting faster than we thought

COVID-19 can ruin your sleep in many different ways—here’s why

Why China’s ‘zero COVID’ policy is finally faltering (NPR)

Antidepressants don’t work the way many people think (New York Times)

OTHER GREAT READS FROM NAT GEO

This parasite manipulates the minds of wolves, rats—and maybe even you ››

The Arctic murder mystery that remains unsolved after 150 years ››

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters, covering History, Environment, Science, Animals, Travel, Photography, and Family.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

We’d like to hear from you! Tell us what you think of our emails by sharing your feedback in this short survey.

TAKE THE SURVEY

SHOP DONATE SUBSCRIBE TRAVEL

Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.

This email was sent to: peter.hovis@gmail.com. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.

“Christmas decorations”, “Hamsters” and 8 other boards like RJ’s

‘Pro-Union’ Joe Biden Sides With Big Business

RJ Hamster

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

What COVID-19 really does to your brain

What COVID-19 really does to your brain

Share this:

Like this:

Related articles