Can BPS, the BPA replacement in plastics, damage your brain and nervous system?

What's actually in it

Bisphenol S (BPS) replaced BPA in many "BPA-free" products, including water bottles, food containers, baby bottles, and thermal receipt paper. It's also used in some epoxy resins and dental sealants. Manufacturers switched to BPS because it appeared more heat-stable than BPA, but they didn't fully test its effects on the brain before putting it in products.

BPS absorbs through your skin (especially from receipt paper) and through your gut from food containers. It's now detected in over 80% of urine samples tested in population studies.

What the research says

A 2026 review in Environ Int compiled all available evidence on BPS and neurological health. The review paints a concerning picture for this "safer" alternative.

BPS causes neurotoxicity through multiple mechanisms. It disrupts thyroid hormone signaling in the brain, which is critical for neural development and cognitive function. It triggers oxidative stress in neurons, overwhelming their antioxidant defenses. And it alters neurotransmitter systems, including dopamine and serotonin, which control mood, motivation, and learning.

Animal studies showed that BPS exposure led to anxiety-like behavior, impaired memory, and reduced social interaction. Prenatal BPS exposure was linked to altered brain structure and behavioral changes in offspring.

The evidence suggests BPS is not a safe substitute for BPA in products that contact food or skin. Choose glass or stainless steel containers, decline paper receipts or handle them briefly, and look for products free of all bisphenols, not just BPA.