Free Radicals and Seizures

 There is a very strong, well-documented link between free radicals and seizures.

In fact, neuroscientists often describe this relationship as a "vicious cycle." Free radicals can trigger seizures, and seizures, in turn, create a massive explosion of new free radicals, which makes future seizures more likely.

Here is how that mechanism works, keeping in mind the NAD+ context we just discussed.

1. The "Rusting Wire" Analogy

Think of your brain's neurons as electrical wires coated in insulation.

 * The Insulation (Cell Membranes): Your brain cells are wrapped in fatty membranes that help conduct electricity properly.

 * The Rust (Free Radicals): Free radicals love to attack fats (a process called lipid peroxidation).

When free radicals "eat" the fatty coating of your neurons, the "insulation" wears down. This causes the electrical signals to leak or misfire. If enough wires cross or short-circuit due to this damage, the result is a sudden electrical storm—a seizure.

2. The Energy Failure (The NAD+ Connection)

This is where your interest in NAD+ becomes very relevant.

To stop a seizure, your brain needs massive amounts of energy to pump ions back into place and "calm down" the electrical storm.

 * The Problem: As we discussed, free radicals drain your NAD+.

 * The Result: Without enough NAD+, your mitochondria (power plants) cannot produce enough ATP energy to regulate the brain's electricity. The brain becomes "hyperexcitable" because it lacks the energy to calm itself down.

(Next blog what is ATP)

3. The Glutamate Loop

There is a specific neurotransmitter involved here called Glutamate.

 * Glutamate is the "Go" signal in your brain (it excites neurons).

 * Normally, your brain quickly vacuums up extra Glutamate to prevent over-excitement.

 * Free radicals damage the vacuums. When oxidative stress is high, the transporter proteins responsible for clearing Glutamate stop working. Glutamate builds up, over-stimulating the neurons until they snap into a seizure.

Summary

Free radicals lower your "Seizure Threshold."

Everyone has a threshold—a point where, if stress gets high enough, a seizure occurs. High levels of free radicals lower this ceiling, meaning it takes much less stress or stimulation to trigger a seizure than it would in a healthy brain.

In short: Reducing free radicals (and boosting NAD+) helps "insulate" the wires and provides the energy the brain needs to prevent these electrical storms.