Brain Health and Healing

Thyroid Effects on Brain Function

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 19:00:00 -0700

This episode focuses on thyroid health, and its potential impact on bipolar and schizophrenia. We also discuss what low and high thyroid look like, difficulties detecting thyroid problems, and the importance of tyrosine and iodine.

Books and websites:
Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness, by Broda O. Barnes, MD, PhD: http://brodabarnes.org/
Solved: The Riddle of Illness, by Stephen E. Langer, MD: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/421731
Alan Christenson, NMD: https://www.drchristianson.com/blog/ and https://www.drchristianson.com/thyroidresetdiet/
Izabella Wenz, PharmD: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/

For details on thyroid-supporting nutrients and foods, see my books: Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder, and Natural Healing for Schizophrenia at https://www.boragebooks.com/

#thyroid, #hypothyroid, #hyperthyroid, #lowthyroid, #myxedemia, #depression, #nightmares, #mood, #mania, #bipolar, #schizophrenia, #psychosis, #tyrosine, #iodine, #naturalhealing, #brainhealthandhealing

Seizures and Mental Health

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 18:00:00 -0700

This episode explores the intersection of seizure disorders, particularly temporal lobe epilepsy, with mental health. We talk about the prevalence of misdiagnosis, and about common symptoms and treatments in temporal lobe epilepsy and bipolar.
Note: While some underlying factors may be identical, these are distinct illnesses, and should be treated as such.

STUDIES
Mula M, The clinical spectrum of bipolar symptoms in epilepsy: a critical reappraisal, Postgrad Med. 2010 Jul;122(4):17-23. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20675967/

Reynolds EH , Trimble MR, Epilepsy, psychiatry, and neurology, Epilepsia. 2009 Mar;50 Suppl 3:50-5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19298432

Mazza M , Di Nicola M, et al, Bipolar disorder and epilepsy: a bidirectional relation? Neurobiological underpinnings, current hypotheses, and future research directions, Neuroscientist. 2007 Aug;13(4):392-404.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17644769/

BOOKS
LaPlante E, Seized: Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Medicine, History, and Art.

For more on nutrient approaches shared by temporal lobe epilepsy with bipolar and schizophrenia, see my books, Natural Healing for Schizophrenia , and Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder at boragebooks.com

#neurological #neuropsychiatric #epilepsy #seizures #bipolar #bipolardisorder #schizophrenia #mentalhealth #TLE #temporallobe #GABA #taurine #zinc #magnesium #manganese #B6 #pyroluria #excitotoxicity #sugar #junkfood #brainhealthandhealing #naturalhealingforbipolardisorder #naturalhealingforschizophrenia

Why is it so hard to stop eating junk food?

Wed, 24 May 2023 12:00:00 -0700

In this episode we discuss excitotoxins. which are chemicals, such as MSG and aspartame, that are often added to junk food to make it taste good. We talk about how these chemicals, made of aminos acids in ultra-concentrated doses can injure and destroy brain cells. They can impair normal brain development in children, and may play a role in mania, anxiety, seizures, intellectual deterioration, and various neurological diseases.

Books and videos
Excitotoxins, The Taste that Kills by Russell Blaylock, MD
Aspartame Disease by HJ Roberts, MD
Dr. Russell Blaylock: Excitotoxins - The Taste that Kills - youtube

Studies
Olney, JW. Brain lesions, obesity, and other disturbances in mice treated with monosodium glutamate
Olney, JW. Excitotoxic food additives--relevance of animal studies to human safety
Blaylock R. On excitotoxicity as a central mechanism in autism spectrum disorders (1) (2) (3) (4)
Essa M, Braidy N, Excitotoxicity in the Pathogenesis of Autism

See my books
For a wide range of info on natural approaches to brain health: Natural Healing for Schizophrenia and Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder at https://www.boragebooks.com/

#MSG #glutamate #aspartame #aspartate #excitotoxicity #excitotoxins #headaches #anxiety #mania #depression #hyperactivity #overstimulation #neurodegeneration #seizures #dementia #Parkinsons #dementia #braindiet #brainfood #foodadditives #neurotoxicity #naturalhealingforbipolardisorder #naturalhealingforschizophrenia #brainhealthandhealing #junkfood

Yeast, Candida, and the Brain

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 19:00:00 -0700

This episode discusses effects of Candida and other yeast on mental health. Candida can influence mood, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, hyperactivity, psychosis, and overall health. We also overview treatment approaches including paleo diet, immune support, oregano, pau d'arco and other herbs, oxygenation, administration of Candida dilutions, and more.

Books
The Yeast Syndrome by John Parks Trowbridge, MD
The Yeast Connection by William G. Crook, MD
The Missing Diagnosis, or The Missing Diagnosis II by C. Orian Truss, MD

Articles
Landmark article by Dr. Orian Truss
Excellent article from Dr. William Shaw of Great Plains Lab

More info
See previous episode on allergies, and stay tuned for related episodes on thyroid, mercury, food addictions, and sugar.
Meanwhile, check out my books, Natural Healing for Schizophrenia and Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder at https://www.boragebooks.com

#Candida #yeast #mood #anxiety #insomnia #irritability #hyperactivity #depression #moodswing #psychosis #autism #blankmind #narcolepsy #sugarcraving #brainhealthandhealing #naturalhealingforbipolardisorder #naturalhealingforschizophrenia #bipolarpodcast #schizophreniapodcast

Food sensitivities and mental health

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 12:00:00 -0700

This episode is an introduction to the influence of food allergy and sensitivity on mental function. We look at effects on schizophrenia, depression, mania, anxiety, insomnia, hyperactivity, autism and other conditions. We also mention various treatment approaches and list some of the tests.

Links to a sampling of studies and books:
Dohan, FC, Relapsed schizophrenics - earlier discharge from hospital after cereal-free, milk-free diet
McEwen, Len, Enzyme-potentiated desensitization
Randolph, Theron G, Beginnings and bibliographies of clinical ecology
Rapp, Doris. Is this your child?
Rea William, Treating food allergies
Shaw, William on multifactorial causes of autism

More info:
Stay tuned for related episodes on Candida, food addictions, and sugar.
Meanwhile, check out my books, Natural Healing for Schizophrenia and Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder at https://www.boragebooks.com

#allergy, # insomnia, #dairyallergy, #gluten, #hyperactivity, #bipolar, #foodsensitivity, #clinicalecology, #schizophrenia, #mood, #anxiety, #brainhealthandhealing, #naturalhealingforbipolardisorder, #naturalhealingforschizophrenia, #bipolarpodcast, #schizophrenia podcast

Choline for bipolar, anxiety, stress, ADHD, mania, dementia, memory, learning

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 14:00:00 -0700

This episode looks at the effects of choline in calming mania, overstimulation, anxiety and stress, and at its role in recovering from stress and enhancing memory and learning. We also talk about how excess choline may contribute to depression, especially in people who are undermethylated (histadelic),

Studies mentioned:
The Stoll (1996) trial in which added choline led to a substantial reduction in manic symptoms in 5 of 6 lithium-treated rapid cyclers.
More info:
Check out my books, Natural Healing for Schizophrenia and Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder at https://www.boragebooks.com

#choline, #phosphatidyl choline, #acetylcholine, #choline depression, #choline in bipolar disorder, #choline mania, #choline memory, #learning disorder vitamins, #ADHD choline, #stress vitamins, #parasympathetic vitamins, #anxiety vitamins, #choline histadelia, #choline and undermethylation, #lecithin, #choline and panic, #Brain Health and Healing, #Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder, #Natural Healing for Schizophrenia, #bipolar B vitamins, #schizophrenia B vitamins

Magnesium for Bipolar, Anxiety, Agitation, Psychosis, Depression

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 18:00:00 -0700

This episode discusses the balancing effects of magnesium, and its role in moderating bipolar, anxiety, agitation, voices, and stress. Also its potential benefit for depression and addictions.
Studies and Reviews
George A. Eby, Karen L. Eby, and Harald Murk, "Magnesium and major depression"
Weston PG. Magnesium as a sedative. Am J Psychiatry. 1921-22;1:637–8.
Sarris J, “Adjunctive nutraceuticals with standard pharmacotherapies in bipolar disorder: a systematic review of clinical trials,” Bipolar Disord,. Aug-Sep 2011;13(5-6):454-65.
My books
Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder
Natural Healing for Schizophrenia
#Brain Health and Healing, #magnesium, #magnesium and mood, #bipolar vitamins, #bipolar #anxiety, #agitation, #voices, #psychosis #stress, #hyperactivity, #insomnia, #depression, #addiction, #Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder

A Table of Contents Relating to Bipolar Disorder

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 17:00:00 -0700

In Season 1 we looked first at the effects of light on mood, and then went on to the
Major Biotypes, and some of the key related nutrients:
Episode 6: Influence of Light on Mood and Sleep: Mania, Depression, SAD, Bipolar
Episode 7: A Major Stress Disorder, Pyroluria. In: Anxiety, PTSD, bipolar, schizophrenia, ADHD, etc.
Episode 8: Copper and Zinc. Re: mood, voices, paranoia, hyperactivity, autism, anxiety, mania, insomnia, violence
Episode 9: Vitamin B6 (P5P): Depression, Anxiety, Learning problems, Autism, Childhood Psychosis, etc.
Episode 10: Undermethylation and chronic depression, schizoaffective, bipolar, OCD, learning and behavior disorders
Episode 11: Folate (folic acid): Depression, Mania, and Biotype
Episode 12: Histapenia (overmethylation), re: Schizophrenia, Paranoia, Mania, Anxiety, Hyperactivity
Episode 13: Niacin for Anxiety, Schizophrenia, and Mania

Coming up next season: magnesium, essential fatty acids, neural sodium/potassium balance, choline/inositol, more on B vitamins, more nutrients, epilepsy and other neurological issues, thyroid, adrenals and other hormone issues, allergies and sensitivities, oxidative stress, inflammation, toxins, excitotoxicity, Candida, other health issues.

Not all topics are relevant for any given patient. The physician needs to determine the particular pattern affecting the individual.

Note: A number of these biochemistries, along with additional factors specific to each disorder, can also play a role in schizophrenia, depression, learning and behavior disorders, etc. Check the episode title for indications.

Still have questions? See my book to delve further:
Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder

#Brain Health and Healing, #bipolar disorder, #bipolar, #bipolar biochemistry, #natural healing for bipolar disorder, #bipolar nutrients, #bipolar vitamins, #bipolar biotypes, #health and bipolar, #toxins and bipolar

Niacin for Anxiety, Schizophrenia, and Mania

Sat, 30 Apr 2022 21:00:00 -0700

In this episode we discuss niacin (vitamin B3), and how it helps counter brain overstimulation and so, anxiety, mania, and schizophrenia. We also talk about the use of B3 for confusion, learning disorders, dementia, and nicotine and alcohol withdrawal.

Books
Hoffer A, Saul AW. (2015) Niacin: The Real Story, Basic Health Pub, Inc.
Hoffer A, Adventures in Psychiatry: The Scientific Memoirs of Dr Abram Hoffer.
Edelman, E, Natural Healing for Schizophrenia, and Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder

A couple of Dr. Hoffer's early studies
Hoffer A, Osmond H, Smythies J. (1954) Schizophrenia; a new approach. II. Result of a year's research. J Ment Sci. 100:29-45.
Hoffer, A., Osmond, H., Callbeck, M. J., & Kahan, I. (1957). Treatment of schizophrenia with nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Psychopathology, 18(2), 131-157.

NIACIN and dementia
M Morris, D Evans, Dietary niacin and the risk of incident Alzheimer's disease and of cognitive decline, J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2004; Aug; 75(8): 1093–99.
Moutinho, M., et al. (2022) The niacin receptor HCAR2 modulates microglial response and limits disease progression in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Science Translational Medicine, Vol. 14, No. 637.

#vitamins for anxiety, #vitamins for schizophrenia, #vitamins for voices, #help with quitting cigarettes, #vitamin B3, #Niacin, #Brain Health and Healing, #Borage Books, #Natural Healing for Schizophrenia, #fight or flight

Histapenia (overmethylation), re: Schizophrenia, Paranoia, Mania, Anxiety, Hyperactivity

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 16:00:00 -0700

Histapenia (overmethylation) is associated with significant anxiety, and, beyond that, is a major biotype in schizophrenia and bipolar. In this episode, we discuss symptoms of histapenia, and nutrients associated with improvement.

Recommended Reading
Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD: Bibliography https://omarchives.org/dr-abram-hoffer-md-books/
Carl C Pfeiffer, MD, PhD: Nutrition and Mental Illness pdf https://www.andalanpelajar.com/nutrition/nutrition_and_mental_illness_an_orthomolecular_approach_to_balancing_body.pdf
William J Walsh, PhD: Nutrient Power https://www.walshinstitute.org/nutrient-power.html
Eva Edelman: Natural Healing for Schizophrenia/ Bipolar https://www.boragebooks.com/

#brain health and healing, #natural healing for schizophrenia, #natural healing for bipolar disorder, #anxiety, #panic, #schizophrenia, #paranoid schizophrenia, #mania, #hypomania, #histapenia, #overmethylation, #restless leg, #hyperactivity, #niacin, #folate, #zinc

Folate (folic acid): Depression, Mania, and Biotype

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 19:00:00 -0700

Why folate (folic acid) can have opposite effects on mood. How It can worsen undemethylated depression, by reducing serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the synapse. How, conversely, it can be antidepressant for people who do not create enough antidepressant neurotransmitters. Also discusses how folate can, in some cases, help counter voices and mania.

Reference books
Walsh WJ, Nutrient Power
Edelman E, Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder/Schizophrenia

#Folate, #depression, #mania, #folate depression, #folate mania, #folate bipolar, #folic acid, #BH4, #biopterin, #methyl-folate, #OCD, #overstimulation, #voices, #paranoia

Undermethylation and chronic depression, schizoaffective, bipolar, OCD, learning and behavior disorders

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 16:00:00 -0800

Brain undermethylation is frequently associated with chronic severe depression and schizoaffective. It is also common in autism, OCD, and learning and behavior disorders. This podcast describes the means by which methylation regulates the availability of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine to counter depression. We also discuss effects on mental and physical health, and look at methionine, SAMe, methyl-B12, and other nutrients which support methylation.

Studies and Books
Pfeiffer: Histamine in schizophrenia
Jaffe/Kruesi: Biotypes
Walsh book: Nutrient Power
Edelman book: Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder

#brain undermethylation, #methylation, #histadelia, #depression, #schizoaffective, #OCD #autism, #serotonin, #dopamine, #norepinephrine, #SAMe, #methionine, #methyl-B12, #severe depression, #obsessions, #compuslsions

Vitamin B6 (P5P): Depression, Anxiety, Learning problems, Autism, Childhood Psychosis, etc.

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 19:00:00 -0800

Brief overview of the importance of B6 to cognition, mood, and neuroprotection. Discusses dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, GABA, taurine, and MAO. Looks at effects on depression anxiety, learning, autism, psychosis, etc.
Some of the studies:
Learning disorders
Anxiety depression, epilepsy
Vitamin B6 info
Rimland on autism
#vitamin B6, #P5P, #depression, #anxiety, #learning disorders, #autism, #childhood psychosis, #pyroluria, #pyrrole disorder, #serotonin

Copper and Zinc. Re: mood, voices, paranoia, hyperactivity, autism, anxiety, mania, insomnia, violence

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 12:00:00 -0800

Copper and zinc exist in a dynamic balance. High copper with low zinc is overstimulating and can contribute to symptoms in anxiety, paranoia, violence, hyperactivity, schizophrenia, bipolar, autism and insomnia. Discusses the effects of zinc and copper on body and brain.
Studies:
Copper info
Zinc and wound healing
Metal metabolism enzyme
Walsh on copper in autism, postpartum issues, and violence.

#copper, #copper zinc ratio, #bipolar, #schizophrenia, #violence, #insomnia, #anxiety, #mania, #paranoia, #autism, #anxiety, #hyperactivity, #copper anxiety, #copper autism, #copper schizophrenia, #cooper violence, #copper mania, #zinc anxiety, #zinc paranoia, #zinc insomnia, #brain health and healing podcast

A Major Stress Disorder, Pyroluria. In: Anxiety, PTSD, bipolar, schizophrenia, ADHD, etc.

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 15:00:00 -0800

We talk here about a major stress disorder, pyroluria, that occurs across the gamut of mental health conditions: schizophrenia, bipolar, anxiety, panic, PTSD, learning and behavior disorders, etc. People with pyrrole disorder react intensely to stress. The good news is it’s very responsive to nutrient treatment, particularly to zinc and B6 (or P5P), which are constantly depleted by pyrroles. (But similarly, people can go downhill fast if nutrients are discontinued.) This podcast looks at signs, symptoms, and nutrients.

Definitions useful for this episode:
Pyrrole - a natural biochemical used in forming the hemoglobin in red blood cells.
Pyrrole disorder - a condition in which excess of certain pyrroles removes significant quantities of B6 and zinc, increasing sensitivity to stress, and leading to adverse mental and physical reactions.
P5P (pyridoxal-5-phosphate) - a more potent form of B6.

A couple of good articles on pyroluria:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18383989/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18517107/

#BrainHealthAndHealing, #PyrroleDisorder, #pyroluria, #PTSD, #anxiety, #stress, #mood, #RapidCyclingBipolar, #schizophrenia, #zinc, #B6, #P5P, #IntegrativePsychiatry, #OrthomolecularPsychiatry

Influence of Light on Mood and Sleep: Mania, Depression, SAD, Bipolar

Sat, 18 Dec 2021 17:00:00 -0800

Explores the profound influence of sunlight on mood. Also goes into the effects of light dark cycles on hormone rhythms, on serotonin and melatonin production, and on cortisol and sleep interactions. And how these changes further alter mood.

See also:
Vitamin D history.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876201816301757
Two studies on predominance of mania inequatorial regions:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10882671_Predominant_Polarity_of_Bipolar_Patients_in_Israel
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876201816301757

Nerve Cell Communication Basics

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 12:00:00 -0800

A short segment on neural communication. A nerve cell is like a tree with a filament-like trunk, and branches on either end. Messages go to receptors on dendrites (the initial branches). Second messengers transfer information through to the nerve cell body, which computes whether to send it on through the neural axon. Sequential interchange of sodium and potassium ions creates an electrical potential down the axon to the terminal branches. Here calcium smashes vesicles filled with neurotransmitter against the terminal branch membrane, spilling neurotransmitter into the synapse. Neurotransmitter stimulates receptors on one or many other nerve cells. Reuptake transporters take neurotransmitter back up into the sending neuron and so mediate the time in which the neurotransmitter is available to send messages.
Videos on neurotransmission: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=neural+communication+video&t=ffab&iax=videos&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWhowH0kb7n0&ia=videos
#brainhealthandhealing, #neurotransmission, #neurotransmitter #reuptaketransporter, #axon, #synapse, #action potential, #neuralreceptor, #dendrites #neuralcommunication

Biochemical Individuality

Sun, 21 Nov 2021 14:00:00 -0800

Biochemical individuality. In 1957, Dr Roger Williams, with his book, Biochemical Individuality, brought attention to the concept that each person is biochemically unique. Some people are born with 3 kidneys or a heart on the “wrong” side of the body. Some have thyroid glands that can get so overactive under stress, as to trigger mania. Or overproducing adrenals that foster mania or psychosis. Or poor function of certain enzymes, like NAD, a key to brain metabolism, underactivity of which may lead to voices, dementia or depression. This uniqueness is one reason why nothing we say here should be interpreted as a prescription: treatment must be tailored to individual requirements. What we are doing here is teaching, so a person can work with their physician to determine what nutrients are best for them at any given time.
Book: Biochemical Individuality by Roger Williams:

Why Nutrients?

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 21:00:00 -0700

The brain is made from, and runs on, nutrients. Enzymes, proteins, neurotransmitters, hormones, and all brain cells are made of nutrients. Nutrients protect the brain from oxidative stress and toxicity. Nutrients (and environment) determine genetic expression, regulating stimulating and inhibitory brain activity and other brain processes. All of which underlies the effectiveness of nutrients in schizophrenia, as per the outcomes of Dr Carl Pfeiffer and Dr Abram Hoffer; and in bipolar, autism, learning disorders, violence, and other mental health conditions, as per the extensive database of Dr William Walsh.
https://www.walshinstitute.org/uploads/1/7/9/9/17997321/293801829-pyrrole-and-methyl.pdf

Foundations of Nutritional Psychiatry

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 21:00:00 -0700

The foundations of orthomolecular psychiatry. Nutrient treatment of the anxiety, depression and psychosis in scurvy and pellagra. Dr Abram Hoffer’s niacin and vitamin C megavitamin therapy for schizophrenia. Dr Carl Pfeiffer’s histamine axis biotypes. The research on pyrrole disorder. Dr William Walsh’s methylation imbalances and applications to bipolar, autism, violence, etc. Nutritional psychiatry continues to evolve through the work of many noted researchers.
Suggested books: Adventures in Psychiatry by Abram Hoffer
https://www.orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1974/pdf/1974-v03n04-p223.pdf

Intro: Brain Health and Healing

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 20:00:00 -0700

Nutrient-based approaches for anxiety, insomnia, depression, mania, voices, autism, etc, from a functional perspective. We focus mainly on orthomolecular and integrative psychiatry, and nutrients like zinc, magnesium, niacin, other B vitamins, omega 3, antioxidants, etc, Also: methylation imbalances, pyrrole disorder, and various health factors, such as thyroid, allergies, malabsorption, Candida, metal metabolism toxins, blood sugar, and other health conditions.
Who we are. Eva Edelman, author/researcher (see Borage Books), and Simone Jeanette, notorious bipolar. Listen for more.
https://www.boragebooks.com/bipolar.html
https://www.boragebooks.com/schizophrenia.html