Brain Shifts in Space, Doesn't Return to Normal for Months: MIT Study Reveals Alarming Effects

• Gravity's absence in space causes the brain to float upwards and backwards within the skull, a phenomenon observed in 26 astronauts.
• A detailed MIT study found that astronauts' brains shifted more than those in a simulated microgravity experiment on Earth.
• Astronauts spending a year in space experienced brain shifts of up to 2.52 millimeters, leading to balance issues upon return.
• The research indicates that these brain changes, affecting balance and sensory areas, persist for at least six months post-mission.
• The findings highlight significant challenges for long-duration space travel, such as Mars missions, and emphasize the need for artificial gravity.

Why It Matters: Space travel causes significant, long-lasting brain shifts, posing major challenges for future long-duration missions.