Astronauts’ brains change in shape and position after a mission in space, this according to a study published on January 12 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
A research team analyzed the MRI scans of 26 astronauts before and after time in space. Their brains were found to be tilted upward and moved higher and farther back in the skull than under normal Earth conditions. The areas affected are sensory-related regions linked to motion sickness, disorientation, and loss of balance. Researchers also realized that time in space affected the extent of the shifting, with astronauts returning from missions of a few weeks being far less affected than astronauts coming home from six months in space. The long-term impact of these changes is still to be studied.
In the past five decades, fewer than 700 astronauts have flown into space. From a young age, we are subjected to ideas of glory and gain when we think of what it would be like to become one of them. But here’s the truth: not only does it require a tremendous amount of professional training, but it also has a monumental impact on the human body.
Curious? Click through this gallery to find out how your body would react in zero gravity.