Does being in space affect your brain?

Space is a unique environment, making the investigation of spaceflight-associated changes to the brain a complex task. Microgravity itself is believed to affect the brain via multiple mechanisms, including vestibular deprivation, weightlessness, and cephalic fluid shift10.

How can space travel affect an astronaut’s brain?

Extended periods in space have long been known to cause vision problems in astronauts. Now a new study suggests that the impact of long-duration space travel is more far-reaching, potentially causing brain volume changes and pituitary gland deformation.

Why do astronauts get depressed?

Finally, since gazing at the Earth’s beauty has been rated as the major positive factor of being in space, the experience of seeing the Earth as an insignificant dot in the heavens may enhance the sense of isolation and produce increased feelings of homesickness, depression and irritability.

What illnesses can you get in space?

About 75\% of all astronauts have taken medication during shuttle missions for conditions such as motion sickness, headache, sleeplessness, and back pain. Other common conditions include minor trauma, burns, dermatological and musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory illnesses and genitourinary problems.

Why do astronauts get headaches in space?

For short missions, the headaches are often attributable to space adjustment sickness. It takes a little while for the body to adjust to the dramatically different environment. There are a lot of variables that can increase the likelihood of headaches and space likes to bring those in spades.

Could high CO2 levels on the International Space Station cause headaches?

NASA has been studying the health of astronauts living on the International Space Station for more than a decade. Now one commonly reported ailment — headaches — has been linked to high carbon dioxide levels on the station, according to a paper just published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine .

Do CO2 and microgravity cause headaches?

We know that CO2 is a potent vasodilator (which dilates the blood vessels), so it also can increase intracranial pressure. Thus, microgravity and CO2 may be working in synergy to cause headaches. Astronauts have reported headaches and other carbon dioxide-related symptoms since the earliest days of the space station.

Can dehydration cause headaches in space?

Dehydration can trigger headaches. The atmosphere of a spacecraft tends to have a higher concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) than the air we breath on Earth. For every mmHg of partial pressure increase in carbon dioxide, the likelihood of headaches doubles.