About ten years ago, scientists discovered—to their astonishment—that proinflammatory cytokines can cross from the body into the brain. We also now know that the brain has its own inflammatory system with cells that secrete these cytokines. These little proteins, with their capacity to induce feelings of such misery, reshape the brain. Inflammation in the brain causes changes in brain structure, particularly within your interoceptive network; it interferes with neural connections, and even kills neurons. Chronic inflammation can also make it harder for you to pay attention and remember things,
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