Brain Health and Healing

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/ S olved: The Riddle of Illness, by Stephen E. Langer,...

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...

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, a...

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 Par...

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 hospi...

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...

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 nutrac...

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,...

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 Ab...

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...

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...

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, SAM...

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, #au...

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...

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...

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...

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 potent...

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...

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 psychi...

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 s...

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,...