Can You Heal Neuroinflammation?

In Neuroinflammation−Defined, you discovered that neuroinflammation refers to a specific kind of inflammation within the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord.

We also learned that prolonged neuroinflammation can lead to tissue damage, neuronal dysfunction, and impaired regeneration, contributing to neurodegenerative diseases, including:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Huntington’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s disease

So, can you reduce and heal neuroinflammation − also called the “flame” of the brain − or better yet, prevent it altogether? Apparently, the answer is yes. A 2025 study in the journal Science explores potential strategies for counteracting neuroinflammation, including taming the brain immune responses that contribute to progressing neuropathology, the medical focus on diseases of the nervous system.

There are a variety of natural lifestyle tactics to soothe and repair neuroinflammation. The most influential actions include:

Consuming an anti-inflammatory diet – This menu consists of whole, nutrient dense plant foods. Check out 10 Anti-Inflammatory Foods. They also happen to be some of nature’s healthiest options to help prevent and reverse all serious disease states.

Moving your body daily – All healthy lifestyle recommendations include daily exercise, and for good reason. It is beneficial on multiple levels. 20–30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise such as walking or practicing yoga daily can reduce neuroinflammation and enhance neuroplasticity − the brain’s ability to reorganize its structure, functions, or connections in response to learning, experience, or injury.

Ensuring healthy sleep – Maintaining a consistent, restorative sleep schedule − healthy sleep hygiene − is important for many aspects of your health. Restorative slumber is an ally in combatting neuroinflammation as it facilitates optimal brain recovery and clearance of inflammatory waste products.

Managing stress – In 6 Major Harms of Chronic Stress, we learned how stress drives chronic inflammation. To protect yourself, alter any stressful factors you can, and manage your response around what your cannot change. Practice mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or diaphragmatic breathing to lower cortisol and reduce inflammation.