Have you noticed that familiar scents—like peanut butter, fresh lemon, sweet strawberries, or even natural gas—don’t smell as strong as they used to, or that you can’t detect them at all? Losing your sense of smell might seem like just a minor inconvenience, but research shows it can be an early warning sign of bigger brain health concerns.
In fact, a declining ability to smell everyday odors is strongly linked to a higher risk of memory problems. Studies reveal that significant olfactory dysfunction can even be one of the earliest indicators of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease.
In recent years, researchers have been uncovering a fascinating link between scent and brain health. A growing body of evidence suggests that olfactory therapy—also called olfactory enrichment or smell therapy—may support cognitive function and memory.
This approach works by repeatedly stimulating the olfactory nerves and brain pathways involved in processing smells through exposure to a variety of scents. Early findings indicate that this simple practice could enhance memory and even serve as part of an early intervention strategy for those at risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
In the sections ahead, you’ll discover how your sense of smell is connected to brain function, why it matters for dementia prevention, and practical ways to strengthen your olfactory system to help protect memory and cognitive health.
Smell therapy, which involves stimulating the olfactory nerves and brain pathways responsible for processing smells through repeated exposure to varied scents, may help to improve cognition and memory in adults at risk for dementia.
Dementia is an umbrella term for progressive neurodegenerative diseases that deteriorate brain function. There are several types of dementia that lead to cognitive impairment, memory loss, difficulty with language, and changes in behavior and personality.
Sadly, dementia is recognized as a global healthcare challenge, with an estimated 55 million people around the world living with some form of this neurodegenerative disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for approximately 60-80 percent of all cases. In the U.S., it’s estimated that Alzheimer’s affects about 6.7 million Americans.
Common signs and symptoms of dementia may include the following:
There are many factors that lead to the development of dementia, including genetics and lifestyle factors. The underlying pathology of Alzheimer’s disease is generally believed to be the buildup of beta amyloid plaques that occurs between neurons (brain cells) and an accumulation of tangles of abnormal tau protein inside the neurons.
However, this theory is not settled science, and some researchers doubt its validity as a recent article in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease points out.
Importantly, brain-imaging research shows that changes in the brain typically develop more than a decade before a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
At Amen Clinics, brain SPECT imaging studies show that changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease can be detected on SPECT scans more than 20 years before cognitive impairment symptoms develop.
With many questions about memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease still to be answered, scientists have become increasingly interested in the olfactory connection to memory.
Related: COVID Depression: What Does Sense of Smell Have to Do With Moods?
Have you noticed how certain smells can powerfully conjure memories from earlier times in your life? Maybe it’s the scent of a perfume your late grandmother wore. Or perhaps the pleasant and familiar smell of fresh-cut grass takes you back to your youth playing in the yard. These scent-triggered memories are often filled with emotion and nostalgia.
There’s a reason your memories are tied to certain scents. It has to do with the center for processing scent in your brain—the olfactory cortex—being located very close to the brain’s memory and emotional centers. The area called the olfactory bulb, where scent signals are first received, has direct neural pathways to these centers, which allows smells to directly influence emotions and memory.
Memories associated with scent are generally considered more powerful, vivid, and emotionally impactful than other sense memories. Indeed, one research study comparing memory response to visual and olfactory cues clearly showed a greater memory recall response to smells.
That may have to do with how different sensory information is processed in the brain. Whereas nerve signals that relay information about sight, taste, touch, and sound first go to the brain’s thalamus to be redirected, scent information goes directly from the olfactory bulb to the brain’s amygdala and hippocampus, bypassing the thalamus altogether.
Part of the limbic system, the amygdala and hippocampus are the brain’s centers of emotion and memory, respectively. The hippocampus is involved in storing and organizing memories.
If it determines a smell is important—such as when it’s connected to an especially emotional moment—the hippocampus can file the information and store it long-term. Even many decades later, the same scent can stir the memory and feelings of that important moment.
The direct neural pathway from the olfactory bulb to the brain’s emotional and memory centers may explain the association between impaired sense of smell and memory loss revealed in research.
A growing body of research has revealed that olfactory dysfunction is associated with a higher risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
One longitudinal, population-based study tracked more than 1,500 participants who were within a normal range of overall cognitive function at baseline for 10 years. The study found that individuals who rated their olfactory sensitivity as “worse than normal” were more likely to develop dementia than those who reported normal sense of smell.
Additionally, low scores on an odor identification test also predicted heightened risk of dementia.
A more recent 12-year population study published in 2025 in Alzheimer’s & Dementia found that olfactory dysfunction is associated with increased risk of dementia.
Importantly, the study also revealed a stronger risk of dementia in individuals who suffered from severe olfactory impairment or anosmia (having no sense of smell at all). And the strongest dementia risk was associated with individuals who had both a genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease and anosmia.
Unfortunately, our sense of smell naturally diminishes with age. Olfactory function can also be impacted by infections such as COVID, lifestyle factors like smoking, as well as environmental influences such as pollution.
Statistics indicate that about 11 percent of Americans experience trouble smelling in their 50s, and that number continues rising each decade. A full 39 percent of individual over the age of 80 have difficulty identifying scents.
Experts suggest that improving olfactory function with smell therapy may offer a potential way to treat or prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Related: Can You Pass These Two Tests That Predict Dementia?
A diminished sense of smell may be reversible, according to research. And it may involve something as simple as regular use of an essential oil diffuser.
What’s more, improving olfactory function may help to improve brain and memory function.
In smell therapy, people are consistently and repeatedly exposed to different scents. Research suggests that taking this action can potentially:
Research is now exploring if this kind of therapy may help to reverse or prevent memory loss and boost cognition.
A review study published in 2022 in the medical journal Dementia analyzed 20 research studies that used olfactory stimulation (smell therapy) to improve cognitive function. Although the results were mixed, the review showed some promise and supported further investigation of olfactory stimulation as a non-drug intervention for individuals with dementia.
A new study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, explored the effect of overnight olfactory enrichment to retain or improve cognition, including memory, in healthy older adults.
For this study, they recruited a group male and female adults (ages 60-85) who were randomly assigned to either the olfactory enrichment group or a control group. Those who underwent smell therapy were exposed to seven essential oils each night for two hours using a diffuser.
Cognitive tests and MRI exams were performed at the start and closing of a six-month period.
Remarkably, the group who underwent olfactory enrichment showed a 226 percent improvement in verbal learning and memory testing as well as improved functioning in certain areas of the brain compared to the control group.
The promising results suggest that minimal, nightly olfactory therapy produces improvements in both cognitive and neural functioning. Although it’s a small study, the implications are far-reaching.
Olfactory enrichment may very well provide an effective, low-effort pathway to improved brain health. It’s possible that smell therapy for Alzheimer’s prevention and other forms of dementia may become a common practice in the future.
You may have already noticed a change in your ability to detect smells. If so, it’s a good indication to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist to have your olfactory function tested.
There are self-testing odor identification kits available at pharmacies and online as well. They provide additional information about how well you are able to identify scents, but they are not a replacement for consulting a physician.
The good news is that your olfactory abilities can be improved. Experts say that you can begin at home by smelling four different strong-smelling items you typically find at home. It might be a spice, coffee, or a fragrant flower or herb from your garden.
Smell them in the morning and evening for 30 seconds each. You can switch up the scents as well. Over time, this can help develop your sense of smell.
If you (or someone you love) are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of memory loss listed above, reach out to a medical doctor as soon as possible.
At Amen Clinics, we use brain SPECT imaging along with a detailed clinical evaluation, lab testing, and a review of medical, psychological, and lifestyle factors. This comprehensive approach helps us identify the root causes of memory loss—not just the symptoms.
Traditional psychiatry rarely looks at the brain directly, but at Amen Clinics, SPECT scans show blood flow and activity patterns. These images can reveal early changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease years before symptoms appear, helping us intervene sooner.
Our treatment plans are personalized and may include nutritional strategies, natural supplements, medications (when appropriate), cognitive training, psychotherapy, and lifestyle interventions to strengthen brain health. By targeting each patient’s unique needs, we help slow decline and optimize cognitive function.
Memory loss and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
Quarmley M, Moberg PJ, Mechanic-Hamilton D, et al. Odor Identification Screening Improves Diagnostic Classification in Incipient Alzheimer’s Disease. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 2016;55(4):1497-1507. doi:10.3233/JAD-160842 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3233/JAD-160842
The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease website
Articl: “ The Amyloid Hypothesis: Greatest invention or Biggest Blunder in Biomedical Science Ever?”
Accessed September 4, 2025
Younes L, Albert M, Moghekar A, Soldan A, Pettigrew C, Miller MI. Identifying Changepoints in Biomarkers During the Preclinical Phase of Alzheimer’s Disease. Front Aging Neurosci. 2019 Apr 2;11:74.
de Bruijn MJ, Bender M. Olfactory cues are more effective than visual cues in experimentally triggering autobiographical memories. Memory. 2018 Apr;26(4):547-558.
Bouhaben J, Delgado-Lima AH, Delgado-Losada ML. The role of olfactory dysfunction in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease: A meta-analysis. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2024 Aug;123:105425.
Stanciu I, Larsson M, Nordin S, Adolfsson R, Nilsson L-G, Olofsson JK. Olfactory Impairment and Subjective Olfactory Complaints Independently Predict Conversion to Dementia: A Longitudinal, Population-Based Study. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. 2014;20(2):209-217.
Laukka EJ, Ekström I, Larsson M, Grande G, Fratiglioni L, Rizzuto D. Markers of olfactory dysfunction and progression to dementia: A 12-year population-based study. Alzheimers Dement. 2023 Jul;19(7):3019-3027.
National Institute of Health website
“Quick Statistics About Taste and Smell”
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-taste-smell
Accessed September 4, 2025.
Hwang SH, Kim SW, Basurrah MA, Kim DH. The Efficacy of Olfactory Training as a Treatment for Olfactory Disorders Caused by Coronavirus Disease-2019: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy. 2023;37(4):495-501.
D’Andrea F, Tischler V, Dening T, Churchill A. Olfactory stimulation for people with dementia: A rapid review. Dementia (London). 2022 Jul;21(5):1800-1824.
Woo CC, Miranda B, Sathishkumar M, Dehkordi-Vakil F, Yassa MA, Leon M. Overnight olfactory enrichment using an odorant diffuser improves memory and modifies the uncinate fasciculus in older adults. Front Neurosci. 2023 Jul 24;17:1200448.
Whether physical or emotional chronic pain creates and sustains a cycle of suffering. Each bout of pain reinforces and deepens emotional and fear circuits, the brain’s suffering pathways. And that makes it easier for the next wave of pain to follow.
In Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain, psychiatrist and brain health expert Dr. Daniel Amen introduces the concept of the Doom Loop. This self-perpetuating Doom Loop remodels the brain’s circuits, hardwiring them to expect and feel more pain—a case of neuroplasticity gone horribly wrong.
The more this Doom Loop repeats, the more automatic it becomes, locking the brain into a pattern of suffering.
But if the Doom Loop is the villain of your pain story, then the Healing Loop is the hero. This groundbreaking framework can guide you out of the suffering that has taken over your life and into lasting pain relief.
Whether it’s an injury, stress, or repressed emotions, recognizing what sets off your pain is the first step toward healing.
When trapped in the Doom Loop, you may feel escape is impossible. But instead of letting these triggers control you, you’ll learn how to take charge of them. Think of the Healing Loop as your road map to calming your brain, soothing your body, and taking control of your pain.
In his new book, Dr. Amen reveals that he uses the term RELIEF as an acronym that spells out the steps for interrupting the Doom Loop. It will set you on the path to healing, using the following techniques:
The RELIEF Healing Loop starts by helping you recognize the triggers that activate your pain. We know that a multitude of factors can create chronic pain. Whether it’s an injury, stress, or repressed emotions, recognizing what sets off your pain is the first step toward healing.
Next, you’ll ease your brain’s suffering pathways. This means calming the emotional and fear cir-cuits that have been keeping you stuck. Through targeted strategies that enhance brain health, you’ll strengthen your brain’s ability to handle pain without overreacting to it.
Strategies are inspired by Dr. Amen’s BRIGHT MINDS model, which outlines the 11 major risk factors for brain aging and memory loss:
One of the most critical steps is learning to let go of negativity and ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts). These thoughts fuel your pain, making it worse. But with positivity bias exercises, you’ll retrain your brain to predict the best instead of the worst.
As you start to initiate muscle relaxation and emotional expression, your body will follow suit. You’ll practice techniques that reduce muscle tension and release trapped emotions—two often-overlooked contributors to chronic pain.
The next step is to embrace brain-healthy habits that support your journey toward healing. By adopting a lifestyle that boosts your brain’s health, you’ll enhance the effectiveness of every pain-relief strategy you use.
Your brain has an incredible ability to heal and adapt, and with the right strategies, you can often improve how it processes pain. Therefore, finding relief is not about blaming yourself for your pain. It’s about empowering you to take control of it.
Finally, all of this will help you foster lasting healing, motion, connection, and purpose. Living a pain-free life allows you to improve your relationships, remain physically active, and fulfill your most important goals.
We know that individuals with chronic pain can suffer from depression, anxiety, and negative moods or emotions. The RELIEF Healing Loop helps prevent these and other issues that can rob you of your mental health, destroy your well-being, and even shorten your life.
By following the RELIEF Healing Loop, you’ll find yourself breaking free from the grip of pain and embracing a life filled with peace and vitality.
Just as the brain can wire itself into a negative cycle, it can also be rewired for healing and relief. By interrupting these patterns and guiding your brain towards healthier pathways, you can harness neuroplasticity for good, ending the cycle and paving the way for recovery.
In other words, pain doesn’t have to control your life. With the RELIEF Healing Loop, you’ll have the tools you need to reclaim your health and happiness, one step at a time.
Pain doesn’t have to be a life sentence—and understanding its connection to your brain is the first step toward relief. Dr. Amen’s latest book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain, will teach you how to achieve lasting physical and emotional pain relief.
Walker ER, McGee RE, Druss BG. Mortality in mental disorders and global disease burden implications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2015 Apr;72(4):334-41. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.2502. Erratum in: JAMA Psychiatry. 2015 Jul;72(7):736. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.0937. Erratum in: JAMA Psychiatry. 2015 Dec;72(12):1259. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.2246. PMID: 25671328; PMCID: PMC4461039.
Have you ever felt anxious or guilty after eating something you didn’t consider “clean” or “pure”? Or do you spend so much time planning and preparing “healthy” meals that it interferes with work, relationships, or joy in life?
If so, it may go beyond healthy living—it could be a sign of orthorexia nervosa, a lesser-known eating disorder. Unlike eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, , orthorexia isn’t driven by weight loss or food quantity. Instead, it’s an obsessive fixation on food quality, purity, and “optimal” nutrition.
At first, striving to eat well might seem like a positive thing. But when that pursuit becomes rigid and all-consuming, it can actually harm both your physical health and emotional well-being. In fact, the restrictions of orthorexia can even lead to malnutrition—the very opposite of what was intended.
In this blog, you’ll learn the warning signs, symptoms, and treatment options for orthorexia, so you can recognize when healthy eating has crossed into unhealthy territory.
Unlike other eating disorders, orthorexia is not driven by a desire for thinness or food quantity control. Instead, it's focused on food quality and purity for optimal health.
The term orthorexia was first coined by Steven Bratman, MD, in an article published in the October 1997 issue of Yoga Journal. “Ortho” is an ancient Greek word that means straight, upright, true or correct—suggesting the fixation on eating purely. “Exia” is borrowed from anorexia, the Greek word that means “possession or condition.”
In the article, Dr. Bratman recounts an earlier time in his life working as a cook and organic farmer at a large commune in upstate New York. At the time he was a staunch believer in nutritional medicine for healing.
However, in trying to serve the dietary needs of the spiritual community—which was a broad, diverse group of vegans, vegetarians, macrobiotic followers, Hindu-influenced visitors, raw foodists, and others—he noticed how often their food theory principles contradicted each other. And he observed how his own obsessive-like ideas around food purity impacted his mental and physical health.
It occurred to him that the overfocus on pure and healthy eating was harmful. Hence, he used the term orthorexia nervosa to describe people whose extreme diets—intended for health reasons—may lead to malnutrition and/or impairment of daily functioning.
Although it is not listed as an eating disorder diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), orthorexia is a serious mental health problem. In a review study Dr. Bratman co-authored, he proposed diagnostic criteria for the condition, including:
Additionally, the mental obsession and compulsive behavior surrounding healthy food and eating becomes clinically impairing in any of the following ways:
In 2022, a group of international eating disorder researchers and specialists met to create consensus on how to further define orthorexia. Their work was published in Eating and Weight Disorders.
Based on their consensus, orthorexia is defined as a mental health disorder associated with reduced wellbeing and falling within the DSM-5 eating disorder category called “Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders.”
They also restated known behaviors and added that orthorexia involves:
If these behaviors sound like you, it could be a red flag that you might be struggling with othorexia.
It is not clear yet how prevalent orthorexia is, but experts estimate it to be less than 1 percent of the U.S. population, according to one study. It is thought to be higher among specific populations.
While there’s no one cause of orthorexia, research points to a number of psychological and sociocultural conditions that lead to its development. At the individual level, certain personality traits are associated with the disorder, including:
Related: What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
An individual with these personality traits may be more likely to engage in the rigid, extreme dietary behaviors that characterize orthorexia nervosa. Also, a history of body image issues and dieting can drive disordered eating patterns centered around health obsessions and consuming pure foods.
Sociocultural influences can add a lot of fuel to the fire with this disorder. Idealized body images and clean eating trends across social media platforms are pervasive. They can create a tendency for comparison and mounting pressure in individuals to conform to impossibly high and unsustainable health and nutrition standards.
Of course, social media is notorious for spreading misinformation and unscientific health claims stoking fears about “toxic” foods and promoting dangerously restrictive and narrow dietary choices.
Western culture has long prioritized physical appearance and equated dietary purity with health, which are believed to play a role in the development of orthorexia nervosa as well.
Experts have also noted the following risk factors for orthorexia:
What’s so insidious about orthorexia is that it often develops from a good-intentioned desire to improve health. Often, an individual will adopt a certain diet or eating plan because of a health condition or simply to feel healthier or have more energy.
Gradually, these good intentions grow more consuming and extreme, and at some point, the obsession with healthy and pure eating starts to cause more harm than good.
Based on brain-imaging research involving nearly 300,000 brain scans at Amen Clinics, it is clear that brain activity plays a role in eating disorders. Brain SPECT scans show that the following brain regions are involved in eating disorders:
In orthorexia, this can look like obsessively rereading nutrition labels or replaying a single worry about whether a food is “clean enough,” even when you try to focus on something else.
If you have orthorexia, this might mean intense anxiety when eating at a restaurant where food preparation feels out of your control, leading you to avoid social meals altogether.
In orthorexia, this could contribute to misperceptions about how food choices are affecting health—such as feeling “unclean” or “toxic” after eating a single processed item, even if their body shows no real signs of harm.
Here’s the good news. Orthorexia is highly treatable. As it can have severe consequences (malnourishment, loss of relationships, and poor quality of life), it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible if you suspect you or someone you love is suffering from orthorexia.
Simply acknowledging the problem is the first step to recovering from it. Understanding if other mental health disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or anxiety disorders, are involved is another critical step. And knowing how your brain functions and if your it needs optimization is yet another essential piece of the puzzle.
Seek the help of a medical doctor as well as a qualified mental health professional. Especially in cases of malnourishment and/or severe weight loss, it’s important to seek treatment from a medical care provider.
Orthorexia treatment can involve a wide range of therapies and techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP) are two types of therapy that are used to successfully treat orthorexia, according to research.
Related: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: What Is It and Who Can Benefit?
A mental health professional can also address any co-occurring mental health conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or other eating disorders.
Orthorexia is characterized by an unhealthy obsession with eating only “pure” or “clean” foods. Unlike anorexia nervosa and bulimia, it’s not about weight loss but about food quality. When taken to extremes, it can harm both mental and physical health.
Some orthorexia warning signs include spending excessive time thinking about food purity, avoiding social situations involving food, feeling anxious or guilty after eating “unhealthy” foods, and tying your self-worth to how well you follow strict eating rules.
Orthorexia is treatable. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and integrative brain-based care can help challenge obsessive food-related thoughts and reduce anxiety. A mental health professional can create a personalized treatment plan.
Facebook-f X-twitter Youtube How Can You Help Someone with an Eating Disorder? Table of Contents Eating disorders are often hidden battles. Behind forced smiles, skipped
Eating disorders are often hidden battles. Behind forced smiles, skipped meals, or seemingly harmless habits may be a struggle that quietly erodes both body and mind. Because the warning signs are often subtle, it’s easy for these disorders to go unnoticed until the situation becomes severe.
What many don’t realize is that eating disorders—including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder—are the deadliest of all mental health conditions. In fact, they carry a higher mortality rate than depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
How bad is it? An estimated 10,200 people die each year as a direct result of eating disorders, according to a 2020 report. That’s one life lost every 52 minutes.
At Amen Clinics, we view eating disorders not as lifestyle choices or moral failings but as serious brain health issues that require compassion, understanding, and specialized care.
If you’re wondering how to help someone with an eating disorder, the first step is awareness. By learning to recognize the signs, understanding the brain’s role in disordered eating, and responding with empathy instead of judgment, you can offer support that may truly save a life.
Eating disorders are the deadliest of all mental health conditions—carrying a higher mortality rate than depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Eating disorders affect millions of people, but three types are especially widespread:
Unlike bulimia, they do not regularly engage in purging behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative use. Feelings of guilt, shame, or distress are common after binge episodes.
Although many people with binge eating disorder are overweight, not everyone with the disorder struggles with weight issues.
The condition is one of the most dangerous eating disorders due to its serious medical complications and high mortality rate.
The cycle of bingeing and purging can cause significant harm to both physical and emotional health.
Many people believe eating disorders are obvious, but they often hide in plain sight. A 2024 study indicates that subtle shifts in behavior, mood, or physical health may be early signs of eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or binge eating. These red flags should not be ignored.
It may seem like intense fixation on “healthy” eating (also called orthorexia), rigid dieting rules, constant binge eating, or skipping meals are just lifestyle choices. However, when food rituals become extreme, they may signal deeper struggles.
Here are a few behavioral patterns to watch out for:
➤ Cutting food into tiny pieces
➤ Avoiding eating in front of others
➤ Solely relying on food to solve a problem or celebrate
➤ Disappearing to the bathroom immediately after meals or snacks
➤ Excessive exercise, particularly when done secretly or compulsively
Emotional and social changes are often easier to spot than eating behaviors themselves. Someone struggling may withdraw from social gatherings that involve food, become unusually secretive, or show heightened irritability.
Research has linked anorexia nervosa, binge eating, bulimia, and other eating disorders to a range of mental health issues, such as anxiety, and depression. This can contribute to mood swings that leave loved ones like yourself confused. These emotional signs often accompany the physical habits of an eating disorder.
The body frequently reveals what words try to hide. Warning signs that the body is under distress and in need of urgent care include:
Watch for these and be mindful of how to bring up concern with non-judgmental empathy. It can make all the difference in how they see the problem and whether they seek help.
Eating disorders are not just about food. They are brain-based disorders that distort perception, decision-making, and reward systems.
Understanding the neurological underpinnings sheds light on why recovery requires more than willpower. And why individuals need more support beyond a lifestyle change.
Brain imaging studies have shown that eating disorders disrupt the balance between reward pathways, impulse control centers, and stress-response systems. The brain’s reward system may overvalue the perceived benefits of restricting food or purging, while the prefrontal cortex (your brain’s “brake system”) struggles to inhibit harmful behaviors.
This distorted circuit makes obsessive thoughts about food and body image extremely difficult to silence without targeted treatment.
Trauma, bullying, or high stress levels can overwhelm the brain’s coping mechanisms, pushing some people to seek control through food behaviors. Restricting, bingeing, or purging may feel like a way to manage overwhelming emotions, even though it ultimately worsens mental and physical health. For many, an eating disorder becomes a maladaptive survival strategy rooted in trauma.
Related: Healing Emotional Trauma: The Brain-Based Approach
Chemical messengers in the brain like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, play critical roles in regulating mood, appetite, and self-control. Imbalances in these neurotransmitters can contribute to obsessive fears of weight gain, compulsive bingeing rituals, or distorted body image.
Correcting neurochemical imbalances with intentional treatment is a key part of recovery.
Related: How to Hack Your Brain Chemicals
If you suspect someone close to you may be struggling with anorexia, binge eating, or bulimia, the way you approach them can make all the difference. Compassion, not confrontation, should be your guiding principle every time.
Start with gentle curiosity rather than accusations. You can open the door with statements like:
“I’ve noticed you seem stressed lately, and I care about you.”
Focus on expressing genuine concern for their well-being. Also, avoid comments about weight or appearance to focus more on acknowledging how they’re feeling. Listening without judgment creates a safe space for them to share and builds trust with you for the future.
Even when symptoms appear mild, early medical evaluation is crucial for longer term success. A review of 202 studies on co-occurring physical and mental health conditions confirms that eating disorders can cause serious complications.
Encouraging a loved one to seek help from a doctor, therapist, or specialized clinic such as Amen Clinics can help prevent irreversible damage and set the stage for recovery.
Practical support goes beyond conversations and turns into action. You can start by:
Eating disorders are chronic conditions for many, so relapse prevention is an essential part of the recovery process. Structured and ongoing support helps reinforce progress and protect against setbacks.
Long-term care may include regular check-ins, follow-up brain scans, and therapy sessions to monitor progress and make treatment adjustments. These touchpoints help catch warning signs early and reinforce the skills developed during treatment.
Lasting recovery depends on strengthening emotional resilience. Mental health practices such as mindfulness, journaling, stress-management techniques, and building strong social support networks can protect against relapse.
By nurturing self-compassion and coping skills, your loved ones are better equipped to navigate life’s challenges without turning to disordered eating behaviors.
To help someone with an eating disorder, you must first understand that it’s not about vanity, diet culture, or simply having “willpower.” It’s about the brain.
These disorders distort thinking, hijack reward systems, and can lead to life-threatening complications if left untreated. But with early detection, compassionate support, and brain-based treatment, healing is possible.
Traditional treatment for eating disorders often focus only on behavior. Amen Clinics takes a brain-based, integrative approach that addresses the underlying neurological and psychological drivers of eating disorders.
The brain SPECT imaging at Amen Clinics allows clinicians to see patterns of overactivity or underactivity linked to anxiety, perfectionism, impulsivity, trauma, and other issues. Getting more personalized insight guides targeted treatment for eating disorders, ensuring that care is not one-size-fits-all but rather tailored to their unique brain.
At Amen Clinics, neurofeedback therapy may be an integral part of an eating disorder treatment plan. This noninvasive treatment teaches patients how to regulate brain activity, reducing compulsive urges and calming perfectionist thought patterns.
Over time, this brain training builds self-control and emotional resilience, giving them the tools they need to sustain recovery.
Recovery from an eating disorder requires a whole-person approach. At Amen Clinics, treatment integrates evidence-based therapies (such as cognitive behavioral therapy or ANT therapy as Amen Clinics founder Dr. Daniel Amen calls it), brain-healthy nutrition, and targeted supplements to restore balance in brain chemistry.
This combination strengthens emotional stability, improves energy, and reduces obsessive food-related thoughts.
Eating disorders and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
Krug, I., Liu, S., Portingale, J., Croce, S., Dar, B., Obleada, K., Satheesh, V., Wong, M., & Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M. (2025). A meta-analysis of mortality rates in eating disorders: An update of the literature from 2010 to 2024. Clinical Psychology Review, 116, 102547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2025.102547
Deloitte. (2020) Social and economic cost of eating disorders in the United States of America: Report for the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders and the Academy for Eating Disorders. https://hsph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Social-Economic-Cost-of-Eating-Disorders-in-US.pdf
Pennesi, J.-L., Jabs, M., Baillie, S., Hart, L., Hay, P., Mitchison, D., Norton, L., Prnjak, K., & Wade, T. D. (2024). Early warning signs for eating disorders in children: A realist synthesis of websites summarizing caregiver and consumer perspectives. International Journal of Eating Disorders. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24359
Horovitz, O., & Argyrides, M. (2023). Orthorexia and Orthorexia Nervosa: A Comprehensive Examination of Prevalence, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Nutrients, 15(17), 3851. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173851
Tan, E. J., Raut, T., Le, L. K., Hay, P., Ananthapavan, J., Lee, Y. Y., & Mihalopoulos, C. (2023). The association between eating disorders and mental health: an umbrella review. Journal of eating disorders, 11(1), 51. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00725-4
MacNeil, B. A. (2022). Examining predictors of menstrual irregularity among women receiving outpatient treatment for an eating disorder: Psychiatric diagnosis, age of onset, physical, and psychological symptoms. Psychiatry Research Communications, 2(2), 100049. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psycom.2022.100049
Wani, M., Chakole, S., Agrawal, S., Gupta, A., Chavada, J., Pathade, A. G., & Yelne, S. (2023). Unveiling Skin Manifestations: Exploring Cutaneous Signs of Malnutrition in Eating Disorders. Cureus, 15(9), e44759. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.44759
Wonderlich, J. A., Bershad, M., & Steinglass, J. E. (2021). Exploring Neural Mechanisms Related to Cognitive Control, Reward, and Affect in Eating Disorders: A Narrative Review of FMRI Studies. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 17, 2053–2062. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S282554
Costandache, G. I., Munteanu, O., Salaru, A., Oroian, B., & Cozmin, M. (2023). An overview of the treatment of eating disorders in adults and adolescents: pharmacology and psychotherapy. Postepy psychiatrii neurologii, 32(1), 40–48. https://doi.org/10.5114/ppn.2023.127237
Hambleton, A., Pepin, G., Le, A. et al. Psychiatric and medical comorbidities of eating disorders: findings from a rapid review of the literature. J Eat Disord 10, 132 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00654-2
Stackpole, R., Greene, D., Bills, E., & Egan, S. J. (2023). The association between eating disorders and perfectionism in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eating Behaviors, 50, 101769. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2023.101769
Bryson, C., Douglas, D., & Schmidt, U. (2024). Established and emerging treatments for eating disorders. Trends in Molecular Medicine, 30(4), 392–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmed.2024.02.009
Oftedal, E., Ueland, V., & Rørtveit, K. (2022). Therapeutic writing in a programme for binge eating disorder-A tool to come closer to clarifying feelings. Scandinavian journal of caring sciences, 36(4), 1217–1227. https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.13095
Facebook-f X-twitter Youtube Table of Contents Gut Health and ADHD: Can Vitamins and Minerals Improve Both? There’s a growing buzz in scientific and mental health
There’s a growing buzz in scientific and mental health communities about the gut-brain connection. The truth is the gut does so much more than digest food. It also talks to the brain, shaping everything from mood and memory to focus and behavior. For people with ADHD, this conversation between the gut and brain may be especially critical.
New research, including a 2025 study, suggests that taking vitamins and minerals can shift the makeup of gut bacteria in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also called attention deficit disorder (ADD). The evidence shows that supplementation with micronutrients is linked to a high potential for improving focus, attention, and behavior.
With decades of experience in nutritional psychiatry and brain-based healthcare, Amen Clinics is at the forefront of uncovering how lifestyle changes, targeted nutritional supplements, and gut-brain strategies can support better outcomes for people with ADHD.
Here’s a breakdown of how micronutrients influence gut health and why that matters so much for ADHD management.
Amen Clinics is at the forefront of uncovering how lifestyle changes, targeted supplements, and gut-brain strategies can support better outcomes for people with ADHD.
The gut and brain are in constant communication through a superhighway called the vagus nerve, along with chemical messengers like neurotransmitters and immune signals. Inside your digestive tract are trillions of microbes collectively known as gut microbiota. They play a direct role in producing neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA—all of which affect mood and focus.
When your gut bacteria are balanced, the messages sent to your brain are calming and supportive. However, when the microbiome is out of balance, those messages can increase anxiety, irritability, and distractibility—one of the hallmark symptoms of ADHD.
Studies show that children and adults with ADHD tend to have more gut inflammation, higher intestinal permeability (aka “leaky gut”), and microbial imbalances. This heightened sensitivity means that even small disruptions—such as eating artificial food dyes or lacking key nutrients—can set off a chain reaction that impacts your attention, behavior, and mood.
In other words, for people with ADHD, gut health is a foundational part of your mental and physical well-being.
In the 2025 study mentioned earlier, a team of researchers looked at whether giving children with ADHD extra vitamins and minerals could help with focus and emotional control—and whether these changes might be linked to gut health.
In the study, 44 children took either micronutrients or a placebo for eight weeks, then all were given micronutrients for another eight weeks. Stool samples were collected to see how gut bacteria changed over time. The study suggests that taking nutritional supplements improves gut health.
Beyond the gut, the children in the study also experienced notable improvements in ADHD symptoms, including better attention, emotional regulation, and reduced hyperactivity.
These behavioral changes occurred in tandem with shifts in gut bacteria, suggesting a strong relationship between micronutrient-fueled microbiota and brain function.
Several previous studies have linked nutrition to improved mental health outcomes, especially in ADHD. Research from other clinical trials has shown that micronutrient formulas can improve mood, reduce impulsivity, and enhance emotional resilience in both children and adults with ADHD. Gut health appears to be a major mechanism driving these changes.
In the study, the children received a broad-spectrum micronutrient formula—not just one or two vitamins, but a carefully balanced combination of vitamins and minerals. The micronutrient capsules contained 36 ingredients, including:
The supplement used was designed to provide nutrients at levels higher than a standard multivitamin, but still within safe limits. The researchers aimed to address multiple potential deficiencies at once rather than targeting a single nutrient.
Related: What Is the Role of Gut Microbiota in Alzheimer’s Disease?
The 2025 study, which appeared in the journal Gut Microbes, found that micronutrient supplements influenced the gut microbiome in children with ADHD in important ways.
For example, taking vitamins and minerals was associated with an overall increase in the diversity of gut bacteria.
Specifically, the bacterial group Actinobacteriota decreased in children taking micronutrients compared to placebo. At the same time, two families of bacteria known to produce butyrate—Rikenellaceae and Oscillospiraceae—increased in children who showed the most behavioral improvement.
Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid that supports gut lining health, reduces inflammation, and may positively influence brain function.
These findings suggest that micronutrients may help rebalance the gut microbiome by reducing certain bacteria while boosting helpful butyrate-producing microbes, potentially contributing to better focus and emotional regulation.
A more diverse microbiome is generally associated with lower inflammation, improved digestion, mental stability, and more stable neurotransmitter production. For those with ADHD, increasing microbial diversity can help regulate focus and mood by ensuring a wider variety of bacteria are working together to send helpful signals to the brain.
Related: Does My Gut Health Affect My Mental Stability
Yes, but ideally with a strategy. Not all probiotics are created equal. Look for evidence-based strains like Lactobacillus helveticus or Bifidobacterium longum, which have been studied for their effects on mood. Also, add prebiotic-rich foodslike onions, garlic, leeks, and bananas, which feed the good bacteria and encourage diversity.
The best micronutrient supplement can only do so much if the body is under daily assault from inflammatory foods. That’s why Amen Clinics often recommends an elimination diet, which can calm the immune system and improve nutrient absorption by first removing:
This step alone can reduce ADHD symptoms in some people.
Related: What is an Elimination Diet? (And Why Your Mental Health Needs One)
When you eat something your body doesn’t tolerate well, it can trigger systemic inflammation. That inflammation travels through the gut-brain axis and results in brain fog, poor concentration, irritability, or impulsivity. Identifying and removing certain trigger foods is often a game-changer for ADHD gut health.
While micronutrients are generally safe, testing for deficiencies first is crucial. At Amen Clinics, we use lab testing to identify gaps in nutrition before making personalized recommendations. This ensures targeted support without overloading the system.
Nutritional supplements are generally safe, but taking too many vitamins and minerals may lead to digestive issues or mineral imbalances in some cases. That’s why it’s important to work with a clinician experienced in integrative ADHD treatment.
Most people begin to notice changes within four to 10 weeks of consistent use. The improvements in focus, energy, and emotional balance develop gradually, but are meaningful and long-lasting when paired with lifestyle changes.
Amen Clinics addresses ADHD gut health from every angle and may include:
Our brain SPECT imaging allows us to see how different regions of the brain are functioning. Combined with gut health insights, this helps us personalize treatment plans for better outcomes because no two brains are the same.
If you’re ready to take control of your ADHD symptoms with a gut-first approach, schedule an appointment with Amen Clinics. We’ll guide you through lab testing, SPECT imaging, and a fully customized nutritional and supplement plan.
This goes beyond basic symptom management and focuses on optimizing your brain and body for a better life with ADHD.
Absolutely! Gut-brain health strategies are showing promise for anxiety, depression, fatigue, and brain fog, all of which often co-occur with ADHD. Supporting your microbiome with an ADHD gut health protocol may be the missing piece you need for sharper focus, better follow-through, and greater impulse control.
ADHD and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
Ast, H. K., Hammer, M., Zhang, S., Bruton, A., Hatsu, I. E., Leung, B., McClure, R., Srikanth, P., Farris, Y., Norby-Adams, L., Robinette, L. M., Arnold, L. E., Swann, J. R., Zhu, J., Karstens, L., & Johnstone, J. M. (2025). Gut microbiome changes with micronutrient supplementation in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: the MADDY study. Gut Microbes, 17(1), 2463570. https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2025.2463570
Zhi, J., Zhang, S., Huang, M., Qin, H., Xu, H., Chang, Q., & Wang, Y. (2024). Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation as a potential therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Modulation of the noradrenergic pathway in the prefrontal lobe. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2024.1494272
Ming, X., Chen, N., Ray, C., Brewer, G., Kornitzer, J., & Steer, R. A. (2018). A Gut Feeling: A Hypothesis of the Role of the Microbiome in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders. Child Neurology Open, 5, 2329048X18786799. https://doi.org/10.1177/2329048X18786799
Wang, Y., & Cao, M. (2025). The impact of a multi-micronutrient nutritional formula combined with cognitive behavioral therapy in managing symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 13, 1624344. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2025.1624344
Toscano, M., De Grandi, R., Stronati, L., De Vecchi, E., & Drago, L. (2017). Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium longum BB536 on the healthy gut microbiota composition at phyla and species level: A preliminary study. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 23(15), 2696–2704. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v23.i15.2696
Appleton J. (2018). The Gut-Brain Axis: Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health. Integrative Medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 17(4), 28–32. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6469458/
For millions of Americans, mood issues, low energy and cognitive problems may be due to heavy metal toxicity. However, not everyone with elevated levels of heavy metals experiences noticeable symptoms. In fact, that was the case for psychiatrist and brain health expert Dr. Daniel Amen.
For decades, Dr. Amen has helped people adopt habits that enhance brain and body health, and he always try to lead by example.
That’s why he was shocked when he did a common hair sample for heavy metals, and it showed surprisingly high levels of mercury, lead, and arsenic. “Honestly, I was a bit horrified,” says Dr. Amen.
“I then did a more specific urine challenge test, which confirmed the results. I was being poisoned, not by my wife (I hope),” he says jokingly, “but by exposure and sluggish detoxification pathways.” Thankfully, six months later his levels returned to normal.
In this blog, you’ll learn what causes elevated levels of heavy metals in the body and brain. You’ll also discover the strategies Dr. Amen used to lower them without side effects.
For millions of Americans, mood issues, low energy and cognitive problems may be due to heavy metal toxicity (heavy metal poisoning). Even people who lead a healthy lifestyle can unknowingly have excessive toxicity.
When heavy metals accumulate in the body over time, it can lead to heavy metal toxicity (heavy metal poisoning).
Metals that can be toxic to your body include:
These metals enter the body, travel through the bloodstream, and infiltrate the cells within vital organs, tissues, and even in fat cells. When heavy metals bind to receptors in the body’s organs, it prevents them from performing their intended functions.
Once they have penetrated their way into the body, heavy metals can be difficult to eliminate and may remain stuck for years, even decades.
Overexposure to heavy metals harms the brain. On brain SPECT scans, heavy metal toxicity is associated with a pattern called “scalloping” in which there is overall low activity in the brain.
Related: 10 Scary Ways Toxins Poison Your Brain
SPECT is a brain-imaging technology that measures blood flow and activity in the brain. It shows areas of the brain with healthy activity, too much activity, and too little activity. The SPECT scan below of a person with toxic exposure shows low blood flow and activity throughout the brain.
Heavy metal toxicity often develops slowly and can be difficult to recognize because its symptoms mimic other common conditions. Keep in mind that this can become a serious condition that should not be self-managed in high-risk cases.
Seek professional help if you notice some of the most reported signs, which include:
Other studies point to a greater likelihood of developing cognitive impairment following exposure to multiple heavy metals. Research shows that overexposure to heavy metals is also associated with increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
Some people may experience only a few of these symptoms so heavy metal toxicity can be easy to overlook, even in a cluster. If you suspect exposure, it’s important to consider your lifestyle, occupation, and diet.
Related: Toxic Brain Quiz: 23 Everyday Toxins That Destroy Thinking
WHY DID DR. AMEN DO A HEAVY METAL DETOX?
In some people, like Dr. Amen, high levels of heavy metals cause no noticeable symptoms. That’s why he was so shocked by his test results.
Dr. Amen’s Heavy Metals Test Results:
|
Date |
6/21/23 |
Normal Range |
|
Mercury |
32 |
<5 μg/g Creat |
|
Lead |
6.9 |
<1 µg/g Creat * |
|
Arsenic |
95 |
<10 μg/g Creat |
*Note that many scientists say that no level of lead is safe.
Even though he wasn’t experiencing any signs of heavy metal toxicity, he was well aware of the risks. As a brain health specialist, he wanted to do everything possible to protect his brain and cognitive health—now and in the future.
That’s why he committed to performing a heavy metal detox.
If you think you may be experiencing symptoms related to heavy metal toxicity, it’s important to seek help. Make an appointment with an integrative medicine (also called functional medicine) physician to test your levels.
What is a heavy metal detox? It’s a protocol that is intended to remove excess heavy metals from a person’s body. A detox program typically involves reducing exposure to heavy metals and using treatments, supplements, and foods that help flush the metals from the body.
Quit smoking, remove amalgam dental fillings if you have them, stop using aluminum or Teflon cookware, and eliminate personal care products and household cleaners that contain toxins.
In a fascinating experiment that involved switching to organic food for just two weeks, a family experienced a 95 percent decrease in pesticide levels in a their urine. Another study showed that compared to kids who ate organic foods, those who consumed foods grown conventionally had nine times higher levels of neurotoxic pesticides.
Opt for foods with sulfur, such as broccoli and garlic, according to research in Scientific World Journal. In addition, go for fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, and gluten-free grains, which have been shown to reduce mercury levels in blood and in the brain. Early research also suggests that cilantro may reduce the absorption of heavy metals.
Stop drinking cocktails, wine, and beer because alcohol is a toxin that negatively impacts brain and body function. Avoid non-organic foods that contain pesticides and other potential toxins. Skip foods with additives or artificial dyes. And don’t eat foods that are potential allergens, such as gluten, sugar, dairy, and soy.
One systematic review found that sweating with saunas or physical activity could help reduce levels of heavy metals. In fact, it found that regular use of saunas brought mercury levels into the normal range.
The duration of a heavy metal detox depends on several factors: the type of metal, level of accumulation, age, overall health, and detox method used.
It’s important to remember that a heavy metal detox is not a one-time event that solves everything. It’s an ongoing process that should be integrated with long-term healthy habits, including a nutrient-rich diet, consistent hydration, and regular monitoring
Following a heavy metal detox, levels can improve significantly. After about three months of following a program to detoxify from heavy metal exposure, Dr. Amen re-tested his levels. Then he tested them again nearly three months after that.
As you can see in the chart below, his levels dropped dramatically.
Dr. Amen’s Heavy Metals Test Results:
|
Date |
6/21/23 |
10/9/23 |
12/29/23 |
Normal Range |
|
|
Mercury |
32 |
9.3 |
5.2 |
<5 μg/g Creat |
6-fold drop |
|
Lead |
6.9 |
6.1 |
5.8 |
<1 µg/g Creat * |
16% drop |
|
Arsenic |
95 |
9.7 |
9.4 |
<10 μg/g Creat |
10-fold drop |
Reducing heavy metal toxicity in the body and brain is so important, because it can help protect you from experiencing symptoms now or in the future.
While some companies offer at-home heavy metal testing kits, these tests have limitations:
For more information on testing options, Amen Clinics recommends consulting with a physician who can interpret results in the context of symptoms and medical history.
Safety is paramount when addressing heavy metal detox. While detoxification can benefit overall health, improper approaches can lead to serious side effects:
Heavy metal toxicity is more common than you might realize, and it can have long-term consequences. Recognizing the signs early, testing accurately, and implementing a safe heavy metal detox plan can improve your cognitive function, reduce fatigue, and protect long-term health.
A safe detox plan often combines dietary improvements, lifestyle changes, and, when necessary, clinical interventions. Combining nutrition, targeted supplementation, and medically supervised chelation (if needed) provides the most effective outcomes for heavy metal detox without significant risk.
The integrative specialists at Amen Clinics use brain SPECT imaging as well as advanced assessments to help diagnose heavy metal toxicity and create a personalized plan to treat it.
Brain fog, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other issues associated with heavy metal toxicity can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
Xiao L, et al. Combined exposure to multiple metals and cognitive function in older adults. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Volume 222, 1 October 2021, 112465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112465
Ouyang, L., Li, Q., Rao, S., Su, R., Zhu, Y., Du, G., Xie, J., Zhou, F., Feng, C., & Fan, G. (2023). Cognitive outcomes caused by low-level lead, cadmium, and mercury mixture exposure at distinct phases of brain development. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 175, 113707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2023.113707
Islam F, et al. (2022). Exposure of metal toxicity in Alzheimer’s disease: An extensive review. Front. Pharmacol., Sec. Neuropharmacology, Volume 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.903099
Cheng, H., Yang, B., Ke, T., Li, S., Yang, X., Aschner, M., & Chen, P. (2021). Mechanisms of Metal-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurological Disorders. Toxics, 9(6), 142. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9060142
Zhang, H., Wang, J., Zhang, K., Shi, J., Gao, Y., Zheng, J., He, J., Zhang, J., Song, Y., Zhang, R., Shi, X., Jin, L., & Li, H. (2024). Association between heavy metals exposure and persistent infections: the mediating role of immune function. Frontiers in public health, 12, 1367644. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1367644
Balali-Mood, M., Eizadi-Mood, N., Hassanian-Moghaddam, H., Etemad, L., Moshiri, M., Vahabzadeh, M., & Sadeghi, M. (2025). Recent advances in the clinical management of intoxication by five heavy metals: Mercury, lead, chromium, cadmium and arsenic. Heliyon, 11(4), e42696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42696
Rodríguez, J., & Mandalunis, P. M. (2018). A Review of Metal Exposure and Its Effects on Bone Health. Journal of toxicology, 2018, 4854152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4854152
Rana, M. N., Tangpong, J., & Rahman, M. M. (2018). Toxicodynamics of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic-induced kidney toxicity and treatment strategy: A mini review. Toxicology Reports, 5, 704–713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.05.012
Curl CL, Fenske RA, Elgethun K. Organophosphorus pesticide exposure of urban and suburban preschool children with organic and conventional diets. Environ Health Perspect. 2003 Mar;111(3):377-82. doi: 10.1289/ehp.5754. PMID: 12611667; PMCID: PMC1241395.
Sears, Margaret E. “Chelation: harnessing and enhancing heavy metal detoxification–a review.” TheScientificWorldJournal vol. 2013 219840. 18 Apr. 2013, doi:10.1155/2013/219840
Moosavi, Maryam. “Bentonite Clay as a Natural Remedy: A Brief Review.” Iranian journal of public health vol. 46,9 (2017): 1176-1183.
Carrasco-Gallardo, Carlos et al. “Shilajit: a natural phytocomplex with potential procognitive activity.” International journal of Alzheimer’s disease vol. 2012 (2012): 674142. doi:10.1155/2012/674142
Merino, José Joaquín et al. “The Long-Term Algae Extract (Chlorella and Fucus sp) and Aminosulphurate Supplementation Modulate SOD-1 Activity and Decrease Heavy Metals (Hg++, Sn) Levels in Patients with Long-Term Dental Titanium Implants and Amalgam Fillings Restorations.” Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 8,4 101. 16 Apr. 2019, doi:10.3390/antiox8040101
Bhattacharya S. The Role of Spirulina (Arthrospira) in the Mitigation of Heavy-Metal Toxicity: An Appraisal. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol. 2020;39(2):149-157. doi: 10.1615/JEnvironPatholToxicolOncol.2020034375. PMID: 32749124.
Sears ME, Kerr KJ, Bray RI. Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat: a systematic review. J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:184745. doi: 10.1155/2012/184745. Epub 2012 Feb 22. PMID: 22505948; PMCID: PMC3312275.
What if the key to lifting your mood isn’t found in a pill bottle, but on your plate? The sadness, low energy, or brain fog you’ve been struggling with may not be “all in your head”—it may be fueled by what you eat.
A growing body of research reveals a strong connection between diet and depression. The foods you choose every day don’t just fuel your body, they also influence your brain chemistry, impact your gut health, drive inflammation, and affect your mental clarity.
At Amen Clinics, where we’ve studied nearly 300,000 brain scans, we’ve seen firsthand how poor nutrition can impair brain function and contribute to mood disorders. That’s why our approach combines nutritional psychiatry, brain imaging, and functional medicine to uncover hidden causes of depression—and empower you with food and lifestyle strategies that support long-term healing and emotional resilience.
Here’s what you need to know about diet and depression.
The foods you choose every day don’t just fuel your body, they also influence your brain chemistry, impact your gut health, drive inflammation, and affect your mental clarity.
According to research, a poor diet not only starves your brain of the nutrients it requires to function optimally, but it also increases your vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
If you want to truly understand the link between diet and depression, you need to look beyond the brain and into the gut. Studies show that your digestive system isn’t just breaking down food—it’s constantly sending and receiving messages from your brain through what’s known as the gut-brain axis.
A healthy gut microbiome produces key neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which play an essential role in stabilizing mood, regulating sleep, and supporting focus. In fact, about 90 percent of the body’s serotonin is made in the gut, not the brain.
But when your gut is out of balance—due to a poor diet, chronic stress, infections, or even overuse of antibiotics—it can disrupt this delicate communication. An unhealthy microbiome can trigger nutrient deficiencies, increase systemic inflammation, and send distress signals to the brain. The result? Greater risk for symptoms of anxiety and depression.
In other words: when your gut isn’t happy, your brain often isn’t either.
Your brain depends on certain nutrients from food to produce neurotransmitters. These chemical messengers—such as dopamine, serotonin, and GABA—regulate your mood, motivation, relaxation, and more.
For instance, amino acids from protein help to build dopamine and serotonin, while vitamin B6 and magnesium help support the production of GABA. A diet overloaded with sugar and processed food lacks these nutrients and therefore can throw off the balance of mood-regulating chemicals.
This may make you feel demotivated, anxious, or emotionally unstable. Choosing nutrient-rich, whole foods will help to keep you maintain balance in your brain chemistry and keep your mood steady.
Related: 10 Best Brain Foods for Mood, Memory, Focus, and Cognitive Health
Some everyday foods may be the reason behind your low moods and brain fog. Understanding the link between diet and depressive disorders can help you make choices that support better mental health.
Refined sugars and processed foods like candy, white rice, bread, pasta, and soda may give you a quick boost, but they often lead to sharp spikes and crashes in blood sugar. The highs and lows can leave you feeling irritable, unfocused, anxious, and emotionally drained.
With time, these diets can contribute to chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and oxidative stress, all of which negatively impact your brain function and are linked to depression.
Some of the so-called “healthy” foods, such as whole wheat bread or yogurt, can cause problems for some people. Food sensitivities, particularly to gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, and casein, the protein in dairy, can trigger inflammation in your brain.
For sensitive individuals, the inflammation may lead to symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, headaches, bloating, irritability, and low mood. Since these reactions may be subtle and are often delayed, most people don’t realize that what they ate a day or two earlier could be contributing to their emotional distress.
Food dyes, sweeteners, and preservatives are some of the artificial additives that may seem harmless. However, growing research suggests that they can have a negative impact on brain health and emotional wellbeing, particularly in individuals who are sensitive.
Some of the synthetic dyes and preservatives offer no nutritional value but have been associated with irritability, hyperactivity, and mood swings, especially in children.
Aspartame and sucrose are some of the artificial sweeteners that may interfere with the production of neurotransmitters, contributing to depression and anxiety in some people.
Related: Brain Health Guide to Red Dye 40
Surprisingly, you could be eating regularly but not supplying your brain with the nutrients it needs to thrive. Changing your eating habits can be a powerful tool in managing diet and depression effectively.
As mentioned earlier, your brain depends on certain nutrients to regulate energy, mood, and cognitive function. When you are low in key minerals and vitamins, it can have a direct impact on how you think and feel. It’s also important to look out for the mild deficiencies as they can also erode your emotional resilience silently.
Consider this:
Studies indicate that a diet for depression can help balance moods and protect mental health. Knowing the foods that fight depression is key to eating right.
Related: 8 Mood Foods that Fight Depression
Prioritize nutrient-dense foods that support both your emotional stability and cognitive sharpness. Anti-inflammatory foods, wild-caught fish, leafy greens, berries, avocados, legumes, and clean proteins offer essential vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats to fuel your brain.
Eating these brain foods will improve your mood, mental clarity, and protect you against age-related cognitive decline. Look at the chart for Happy Foods to consume and Sad Foods to avoid.
| Happy Foods | Sad Foods |
|---|---|
|
Foods that spark endorphins: Spicy foods (jalapeño, habanera, chili, and other peppers) and dark chocolate Fruits and vegetables: Eat up to eight servings a day to boost levels of happiness; tomatoes have been shown to lift mood Serotonin-rich foods: Combine tryptophan-containing foods (eggs, turkey, seafood, chickpeas, nuts, and seeds) with healthy carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and quinoa to drive insulin into the brain Omega-3-rich foods: Flaxseeds, walnuts, salmon, sardines, beef, shrimp, walnut oil, chia seeds, avocados, and avocado oil Probiotic-rich foods: Brined vegetables, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, miso soup, pickles, spirulina, chlorella, and kombucha tea Prebiotic-rich foods: Dandelion greens, psyllium, artichokes, asparagus, beans, cabbage, raw garlic, onions, leeks, and root vegetables (carrots, jicama, beets, turnips and more) MACA: A root vegetable native to Peru |
Simple carbs, such as bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes, which increase inflammation and the risk of depression and negativity |
Balanced eating provides steady energy and essential nutrients. Including fiber-rich foods, healthy fats, and clean protein consistently in your diet helps to stabilize your blood sugar levels and prevent the energy crashes that can trigger fatigue, mood swings, and poor concentration.
Omega-3s support your brain cell structure and communication, protein supplies the amino acids that help produce neurotransmitters, and fiber promotes your gut health. Together, they sustain your mental stamina.
Take action. Start by understanding the connection between low moods and food. Track your food intake on a daily basis and note how it affects your emotions. With time, you may begin to see patterns emerge.
If your symptoms don’t improve, seek help from a mental health professional who understands that treating depression needs to involve a whole-person approach.
At Amen Clinics, we understand that what you eat largely affects your moods, motivation, and energy. Our clinicians create targeted nutrition plans for depression that will help you improve moods and enhance brain function.
Amen Clinics takes a whole-person approach to healing that involves four key aspects of life: biological, psychological, social, and spiritual. Nutritional psychiatry falls within the biological circle as one part of a comprehensive healing plan.
Through comprehensive lab testing, Amen Clinics can uncover nutrient deficiencies that could be affecting your brain health and mood. By identifying low levels of vital nutrients like vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, omega-3s, and B vitamins, we can create a personalized supplement plan tailored to meet your brain’s specific needs.
Our clinicians at Amen Clinics create personalized brain-healthy meal plans tailored to your unique needs. Targeted nutraceuticals may also be recommended as nutritional support to help optimize brain function. Most depressed patients report improvements in depression symptoms when they follow a brain-healthy diet.
Absolutely! At Amen Clinics, we’ve seen tens of thousands of people with depression experience great improvements in mood, emotional stability, and overall wellbeing when they switch to eating the best brain foods.
Nourishing your body with the right foods gives it the tools it needs to heal and function better, helping you to feel more like yourself again.
Depression, mood disorders, and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
Wu, H., Gu, Y., Meng, G., Zhang, Q., Liu, L., Wu, H., Zhang, T., Wang, X., Sun, S., Wang, X., Zhou, M., Jia, Q., Song, K., Chang, H., Tao, H., & Niu, K. (2023). Relationship between dietary pattern and depressive symptoms: an international multicohort study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Published June 20, 2023.
Menniti G, Meshkat S, Lin Q, Lou W, Reichelt A, Bhat V, et al. Mental health consequences of dietary restriction: increased depressive symptoms in biological men and populations with elevated BMI. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. 2025; DOI: 10.1136/bmjnph‑2025‑001167.
Osadchiy, V., Martin, C. R., & Mayer, E. A. (2019). The Gut–Brain Axis and the Microbiome: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 17(2), 322–332. PMID: 30292888; PMCID: PMC6999848.
Gómez-Pinilla, F. (2008). Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(7), 568-578.
Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Synthetic Food Dyes and California’s OEHHA Assessment: Fact Sheet. March 2022. California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) concluded that the scientific literature indicates synthetic food dyes can impact neurobehavior in some children.
Petrilli, Matthew A et al. “The Emerging Role for Zinc in Depression and Psychosis.” Frontiers in pharmacology vol. 8 414. 30 Jun. 2017, doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00414
When we think of pain, we often see it as a physical problem—a sore muscle, a bad back, or an injury that never quite healed. But what if you found out that pain is as much in your brain as it is in your body? In fact, the brain plays a critical role in how pain is processed, perceived, and even prolonged.
Even more surprising, physical pain is processed in the same brain pathways as emotional distress. This explains why chronic pain and mental health conditions like depression tend to occur together.
In his latest book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain, Dr. Daniel Amen sheds light on the revolutionary idea that chronic pain—both physical and emotional—is deeply rooted in the brain’s pathways.
Chronic pain is not just what happens to your body—it’s how your brain processes the experience. The brain has the power to amplify pain signals, making them more intense and longer lasting.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly one-fourth of the adult population—more than 50 million Americans—live with chronic physical pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain that affects the body most days and lasts for at least three months.
The costs of this public health crisis are staggering, draining both personal health and national resources. According to U.S. statistics, between $560 to $650 billion a year is lost in direct healthcare and disability costs—plus billions more to absenteeism and work productivity.
Chronic pain is also associated with a host of other issues, including:
And it’s not just a concern among adults. Research shows that 20 percent of children experience chronic pain, and when they do, they have a much higher incidence of anxiety and depression.
Then there’s emotional pain. Depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and more affect over 50 percent of the population at some point in their lives.
Through years of research and brain imaging, Dr. Amen has discovered that pain isn’t just about where it hurts. It’s also about how the brain reacts to that hurt. This connection between pain and the brain is why two people with the same injury can experience vastly different levels of pain.
Physical and emotional pain don’t travel on separate pathways in the brain. They are processed by overlapping ones, like two lanes merging onto the same highway. When one lane becomes congested or there’s an accident, the other lane is also affected, creating a traffic jam of suffering in the brain’s circuits.
There are three pathways in the brain that work together to amplify or calm pain signals:
In other words, it’s not just what happens to your body—it’s how your brain processes the experience. The brain has the power to amplify pain signals, making them more intense and longer lasting.
This close connection means that when physical pain flares up, emotional pain often follows, and vice versa. Physical and emotional pain both sensitize and amplify each other. Together, they can lock you into what Dr. Amen calls a self-perpetuating “Doom Loop.”
When your brain gets stuck in this loop of suffering, it can become hypersensitive to even minor discomforts, interpreting them as major threats. This is why chronic pain can feel never-ending, even when the original injury has healed.
Here’s the good news: By changing your brain, you can change your experience of pain. Through targeted strategies to calm the brain’s pain pathways, you can begin to break free from the cycle of suffering and regain control over your life.
Pain doesn’t have to be a life sentence—and understanding its connection to your brain is the first step toward relief. Dr. Amen’s latest book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain, will teach you how to achieve lasting physical and emotional pain relief.
Pereira A, Conwell Y, Gitlin MJ, Dworkin RH. Suicidal ideation and behavior associated with antidepressant medications: Implications for the treatment of chronic pain. Pain. 2014 Dec;155(12):2471-2475. PMID: 25168669.
Rikard SM, Strahan AE, Schmit KM, Guy GP Jr.. Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2019–2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:379–385. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7215a1.
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Advancing Pain Research, Care, and Education. Relieving pain in America: A blueprint for transforming prevention, care, education, and research. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2011. PMID: 22553896.
Dudeney J, Aaron RV, Hathway T, Bhattiprolu K, Bisby MA, McGill LS, Gandy M, Harte N, Dear BF. Anxiety and Depression in Youth With Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2024 Nov 1;178(11):1114-1123. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.3039. PMID: 39250143; PMCID: PMC11385330.
Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can feel like being caught in a mental loop you can’t escape. Intrusive thoughts intrude without warning, and repetitive behaviors may seem like the only way to quiet them. The more you try to break free, the more stuck you may feel—wondering if you control your thoughts or if they control you.
You’re not alone. The World Health Organization lists OCD among the top 20 causes of disability worldwide and the fifth most disabling condition for women ages 15 to 44. These numbers highlight just how serious—and common—this condition really is.
But here’s the important truth: OCD is not a personal flaw or weakness. It’s rooted in brain activity patterns that can be understood and treated. With the right strategies and support, it’s possible to interrupt the cycle, retrain your brain, and reclaim a sense of peace and control in your daily life.
Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can feel like being caught in a mental loop you can’t escape. But OCD is not a personal flaw or weakness. It’s rooted in brain activity patterns that can be understood and treated.
Understanding the causes of OCD is the first step in learning how to help OCD. The disorder involves specific brain circuits that reinforce obsessive thinking and compulsive actions, making simple self-discipline ineffective.
Let’s break down some of the key brain regions involved in this mental health condition:
OCD is closely tied to overactivity in the ACG and basal ganglia. This means those repeated worries or intrusive thoughts can strengthen within these circuits over time, creating patterns that feel automatic and difficult to interrupt.
Essentially, your brain creates an easier pathway that “learns” to get stuck in these loops. This is why even when a person logically knows their thoughts are excessive, they can feel powerless to stop them.
Research shows that anxiety acts as fuel for OCD, which triggers a reciprocal response. When distressing thoughts arise, rituals or compulsions may offer temporary relief.
This relief reinforces the behavior, making the brain more likely to repeat it in the future. Over time, anxiety and compulsions create a feedback loop that deepens OCD patterns.
Related: What You Need to Know About OCD, According to a Psychiatrist
Breaking OCD cycles requires deliberate strategies that retrain the brain. Evidence-backed approaches focus on facing your fears and creating a space between your thoughts and actions that allow you to reset or restart when needed.
The good news is that a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) called exposure and response prevention (ERP) has been a cornerstone of effective OCD treatment. By gradually confronting feared situations without engaging in rituals, people have learned that anxiety naturally decreases over time.
ERP weakens the OCD pathways, allowing the brain to form new, healthier patterns long term.
Related: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: What Is It and Who Can Benefit?
Mindfulness practices help create distance from intrusive thoughts. Labeling thoughts as “just thoughts” and using mindful breathing shifts attention away from compulsive loops. A 2023 study found that mindfulness techniques also strengthen the prefrontal cortex, helping you put the brakes on obsessive thoughts.
The OCD pause technique encourages you to hold off on engaging in a compulsion right after an obsessive thought appears. Instead of responding immediately, imagine a big red stop sign. Take a moment to create space—this could mean taking calming breaths, counting slowly to five or 10, or briefly shifting your attention to another activity.
Over time, you aim to stretch out these pauses, giving the urge a chance to lessen on its own. Practicing this not only strengthens your ability to resist compulsions, but also helps weaken the OCD cycle and build greater self-control.
Even after being formally diagnosed with OCD, your medical doctor may not have the whole picture. This is because most psychiatrists never look at the organ they treat—the brain.
Amen Clinics uses cutting-edge brain science to understand the root causes of mental health conditions and to help tailor OCD treatment to your individual needs. Brain scans are one part of a whole-person approach that looks at all four circles of a person’s life—biological, psychological, social, and spiritual.
Related: What Your Doctor Might Be Missing About Your OCD
Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) brain scans provide a detailed view of blood flow and activity in the brain. It can help identify overactivity in areas associated with OCD, so clinicians can personalize intervention treatments.
Treatment for OCD may include brain training to reduce obsessive thoughts and compulsions, psychotherapy interventions, personalized diet and supplement recommendations, medication (when necessary), and more.
Your body and brain need the right combination of nutrients to function at their best and think clearly. A growing body of scientific evidence shows that certain nutritional supplements can support neurotransmitter balance to help soothe an overactive brain. For example:
These nutrients, when combined with therapy, brain training, or medication (when necessary), may reinforce progress in your OCD treatment.
Neurofeedback strengthens prefrontal control over compulsive loops, allowing you to regulate your brain activity more effectively. Brain training exercises improve your cognitive flexibility, which improves your response to intrusive thoughts without automatically resorting to rituals that keep you feeling stuck.
Related: What Is Neurofeedback and How Does It Rewire the Brain?
Lifestyle adjustments can significantly support recovery from OCD symptoms. Creating consistent routines and healthier habits helps stabilize your brain chemistry and improve resilience to stress among other factors.
Anxiety can stem from the unknown. Having more predictable schedules for meals, sleep, exercise, and breaks creates predictability in the brain, reducing the likelihood of worrisome thoughts and compulsive behavior. Structured routines allow your brain to focus on intentional actions rather than automatic OCD loops.
Chronic stress fuels OCD cycles, according to findings in Frontiers in Psychiatry. This impacts your ability to disrupt ruminating thoughts and repetitive actions.
Mindful movement, journaling, guided imagery, and meditation reduces those emotional triggers. This will essentially help your brain become more flexible and less reactive. These practices complement exposure and response prevention and mindfulness exercises for a comprehensive approach.
Poor sleep can increase anxiety, strengthen obsessive loops, and make it harder to interrupt rituals, according to a 2022 study. On the flip side, restorative sleep supports mental inhibition, which helps you resist compulsions. Prioritizing consistent, quality sleep is essential for lasting OCD relief.
Remember, OCD is not a character flaw. Understanding how the OCD brain works and how to balance it is the best place to start. It can help you get unstuck, so you can reclaim your life.
Some people with mild OCD—or who simply have OCD-like tendencies—may experience improvement from lifestyle adjustments alone. Others with more severe OCD symptoms may need professional guidance to make meaningful, long-term progress.
OCD symptoms can range from mild to severe, so how can you identify when the time is right to get help? Seek a professional evaluation if OCD:
Early intervention often leads to faster, more effective recovery. That said, it’s never too late to seek help for OCD.
Amen Clinics combines brain imaging and neuropsychological assessments to get the root causes of OCD. This helps our clinicians develop personalized treatment plans for your unique needs.
OCD treatment at Amen Clinics may include including innovative psychotherapy techniques, neurofeedback, targeted nutritional supplements, medication (when necessary), and more. Our functional psychiatry approach addresses all the contributing factors involved in OCD, so you can heal faster and more fully.
OCD, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
Pampaloni, I., Marriott, S., Pessina, E., Fisher, C., Govender, A., Mohamed, H., Chandler, A., Tyagi, H., Morris, L., & Pallanti, S. (2022). The global assessment of OCD. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 118, 152342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2022.152342
Piantadosi, S.C., Chamberlain, B.L., Glausier, J.R. et al. Lower excitatory synaptic gene expression in orbitofrontal cortex and striatum in an initial study of subjects with obsessive compulsive disorder. Mol Psychiatry 26, 986–998 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-019-0431-3
Weeland, C.J., Kasprzak, S., de Joode, N.T. et al. The thalamus and its subnuclei—a gateway to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Transl Psychiatry 12, 70 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-01823-2
Cao, L., Li, H., Hu, X., Liu, J., Gao, Y., Liang, K., Zhang, L., Hu, X., Bu, X., Lu, L., Wang, Y., Tang, S., Gong, Q., & Huang, X. (2022). Distinct alterations of amygdala subregional functional connectivity in early- and late-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 298(Part A), 421–430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.11.005
Krebs, G., Hannigan, L. J., Gregory, A. M., Rijsdijk, F. V., & Eley, T. C. (2020). Reciprocal links between anxiety sensitivity and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in youth: a longitudinal twin study. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines, 61(9), 979–987. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13183
Song, Y., Li, D., Zhang, S., Jin, Z., Zhen, Y., Su, Y., Zhang, M., Lu, L., Xue, X., Luo, J., Liang, M., & Li, X. (2022). The effect of exposure and response prevention therapy on obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research, 317, 114861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114861
Rathore, M., Verma, M., Nirwan, M., Trivedi, S., & Pai, V. (2022). Functional Connectivity of Prefrontal Cortex in Various Meditation Techniques – A Mini-Review. International journal of yoga, 15(3), 187–194. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_88_22
Eghdami, S., Eissazade, N., Heidari Mokarar, M., Boroon, M., Orsolini, L., & Shalbafan, M. (2024). The safety and efficacy of N-acetylcysteine as an augmentation in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1421150. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1421150
Ferreira, S., Couto, B., Sousa, M., Vieira, R., Sousa, N., Picó-Pérez, M., & Morgado, P. (2021). Stress influences the effect of obsessive-compulsive symptoms on emotion regulation. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 594541. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.594541
Wong, M. L., Leung, C. N. W., Lau, K. N. T., Chung, K. F., & Lau, E. Y. Y. (2022). The relationships among sleep problems, anxiety, memory complaints and compulsive checking behaviours. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 34, 100728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2022.100728
Yousefzadeh F, Sahebolzamani E, Sadri A, Mortezaei A, Aqamolaei A, Mortazavi SH, Shalbafan MR, Ghaffari S, Alikhani R, Mousavi SB, Naderi S, Shamabadi A, Jalilevand S, Akhondzadeh S. 5-Hydroxytryptophan as adjuvant therapy in treatment of moderate to severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: a double-blind randomized trial with placebo control. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2020 Sep;35(5):254-262. doi: 10.1097/YIC.0000000000000321. PMID: 32541380.
Esalatmanesh, Sophia et al. “Comparison of Saffron and Fluvoxamine in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.” Iranian journal of psychiatry vol. 12,3 (2017): 154-162.
Actor Oliver Hudson, the co-host of the Sibling Rivalry podcast with his sister Kate Hudson, has spent years on and off antidepressants to help him cope with anxiety and panic attacks. On an episode of the Change Your Brain Every Day podcast, he told Dr. Daniel Amen that due to some strange side effects, he decided to go off antidepressant medication.
But that process came with its own downsides. “The withdrawal process was horrible,” Hudson says.
According to Dr. Amen, who has treated tens of thousands of people for depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and other mood disorders, that’s not uncommon. He says, “When they put you on this stuff, they don’t tell you if it doesn’t work and we have to take you off, or if it works and you want to go off, it could be a nightmare for you.”
Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications in the U.S., yet many people are unaware of what can happen when they try to stop taking them. For some, like Hudson, coming off these medications can trigger a wide range of withdrawal symptoms—sometimes mild, but in many cases, surprisingly severe.
Antidepressant withdrawal, also known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, has only recently gained attention in research. This blog reviews the latest findings on antidepressant withdrawal and its symptoms and provides guidance on how to taper off these medications safely.
Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications, yet many people are unaware of what can happen when you stop taking them. Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms can be mild or surprisingly severe.
Antidepressant therapy is one of the most common treatments for depression, with more than one in 10 Americans taking one. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants, are considered the gold-standard treatment for depression. There are several other main classes of antidepressants, but SSRIs are the most prescribed type.
Related: Antidepressants: Everything You Need to Know
Generally, antidepressants work by adjusting the levels of certain neurotransmitters in your brain. SSRIs work by increasing serotonin levels in your brain. Serotonin helps to regulate your mood, sleep, memory, appetite, social behavior, and sexual desire.
Unlike other types of antidepressants, SSRIs have little impact on other neurotransmitters, such as dopamine or norepinephrine, which explains why they have fewer side effects compared to other antidepressants.
That said, when it comes to stopping antidepressant therapy, SSRIs tend to be associated with more withdrawal symptoms, depending on which type you take.
Here in the U.S. the following SSRIs (and their brand names) include:
For many individuals, especially those with severe depression, these medications can be a critical tool in their treatment. They can help people stabilize emotionally and increase their ability to cope with daily life.
They can help to reduce symptoms of depression and related anxiety such as:
SSRIs are often prescribed for depression and anxiety, as well as the following:
Sometimes an individual will try several antidepressants before finding one that works. Some people do not respond to antidepressant treatment, which is known as treatment-resistant depression.
As mentioned earlier, antidepressant withdrawal is also called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (ADS). The term “discontinuation” was chosen because some mental health experts believe it is more accurate. That’s because people do not technically “withdraw” from antidepressants as they are not addictive medications.
ADS can occur after stopping any antidepressant. The risk is greater in those who take antidepressants longer and when the medication in question has a short “half-life” (is eliminated from the body quickly).
Withdrawal problems are most likely to occur if you suddenly stop taking your antidepressant, after one month of continuous use.
Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms start to show after a few days and can last for several weeks or months. SSRI withdrawal symptoms include:
These symptoms are usually described as mild but unpleasant. However, a growing body of research is showing that ADS can be severe for many people.
When antidepressants are taken for longer durations, as they typically are, and at higher dosage levels, withdrawal symptoms can be much worse.
Research makes it clear that many people experience unpleasant symptoms when they stop taking antidepressants. But when it comes to the severity and duration of those symptoms, study findings vary.
Recent research shows that the average person takes antidepressants for about five years, yet most withdrawal studies are based on just 8–12 weeks of use.
A 2019 study reviewed 24 reports and found:
Over 50% of people experience withdrawal symptoms
Nearly half of those cases are severe
Symptoms can last weeks or months, not just two weeks
The longer someone takes antidepressants, the worse the withdrawal tends to be. Researchers warn that outdated guidelines may lead to misdiagnosis and longer use, and they urge doctors to better inform patients about withdrawal risks.
A 2020 study in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology set out to better understand long-term withdrawal symptoms after stopping antidepressants. They refer to these types of symptoms experienced over the long haul as protracted withdrawal syndrome (PWS).
The study analyzed 69 patient narratives from the internet forum SurvivingAntidepressants.org and found that PWS symptoms were experienced for an average of eight years. An astounding 81 percent of people reported affective symptoms such as anxiety, depression, emerging suicidality, and agitation.
Three-quarters of them complained about somatic symptoms such as headache, fatigue, dizziness, brain zaps, visual changes, muscle aches, tremor, diarrhea, and nausea. Sleep problems were reported by 44 percent and cognitive impairments by 32 percent. The main takeaway is that protracted withdrawal syndrome can be severe, long-lasting, and varied.
| Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms | Percentage of People Affected |
|---|---|
| Anxiety, depression, emerging suicidality, agitation | 81% |
| Headache, fatigue, dizziness, brain zaps, visual changes, muscle aches, tremor, diarrhea, nausea | 75% |
| Sleep disturbances | 44% |
| Cognitive impairments | 32% |
A 2023 survey study of 708 patients in various stages of coming off antidepressants provided an opportunity to hear their experience in getting guidance and support from medical professionals.
The researchers were struck by survey responses revealing how angry, frustrated, disappointed, and let down patients felt by their health care providers. These feelings stemmed from being disbelieved by providers, the lack of accurate information provided to them, and the poor level of care they were given once they became ill with withdrawal symptoms.
Additionally, antidepressant withdrawal symptoms were common, severe, and prolonged for a substantial number of users. As in other studies, longer duration of use was associated with greater likelihood of severe and protracted symptoms.
Online forums are indeed popular gathering spots for patients to share experience and get help. For example, the aforementioned forum Surviving Antidepressants has more than 23,000 members. A Facebook group that helps users taper off the antidepressant Cymbalta has nearly 45,000 members. Many others exist on different platforms, for specific antidepressants and in a number of different languages.
Contrary to these findings, some newer studies suggest that antidepressant discontinuation syndrome is mostly mild and temporary. A 2024 German study found that just 15 percent of patients experienced withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, headache, nausea and insomnia, and 3 percent of patients experienced severe withdrawal.
Additionally, a new 2025 review and analysis of 49 studies on antidepressant withdrawal published in JAMA psychiatry, found that it didn’t qualify as a discontinuation syndrome. It’s important to know that a conflict of interest was noted for several of the study’s authors who had ties to pharmaceutical companies.
Critics of these newer studies point out that the research findings were largely based on short-term antidepressant use. Even though the research is contradictory, it remains abundantly clear that coming off antidepressants carries the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
On a positive note, there are measure you can take that can help to support your mental health while tapering off antidepressants. Here are some tips for how to stop antidepressants.
Related: 11 Alternatives to Antidepressant Medication
At Amen Clinics, which has built the world’s largest database of brain scans related to behavior, the mental health specialists have found that depression isn’t a diagnosis, it’s a symptom. Knowing what’s causing your depression is key to healing.
The experts at Amen Clinics have identified 11 major risk factors that can contribute to depression. Discovering which risk factors you have can help you in understanding how to overcome depression symptoms.
Before discontinuing an antidepressant, make sure you’re mentally ready. Do you feel confident that you’re functioning well? Are your life circumstances sound? Are you ready to deal with any negative thoughts that might emerge?
If you are undergoing major changes in your life like a move, divorce, or an illness—it’s probably not the best time to go off your antidepressant.
Don’t ever stop antidepressants abruptly on your own. Once you’ve decided you want to go off your antidepressant, talk to a psychiatric doctor.
Research suggests that tapering off antidepressants under the supervision of a qualified mental health professional reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms and depression recurrence.
Each medication is different and requires a specific protocol for tapering safely. Talk it out with your doctor or psychiatrist and make a plan for how to deal with symptoms as they arise.
Only 20 percent of people on antidepressants undergo psychotherapy, according to a recent study. Yet, research indicates that people who undergo psychotherapy while discontinuing an antidepressant are less likely to have a relapse.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety and depression. So, if you’re contemplating quitting antidepressants, consider talk therapy to help you through the transition.
Low levels of certain vitamins and nutrients have been linked to symptoms of depression. For example, having low levels of omega-3 fatty acids, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and homocysteine have been associated with depressive symptoms.
To boost omega-3s, methylfolate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels, take high-quality nutritional supplements. Other nutraceuticals that may boost your mood include:
Saffron: There are more than 20 studies showing saffron is more effective than placebo and equal to the antidepressant effects of Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, and imipramine for depression.
Curcumin: Studies have found that curcumin—as Longvida, which is much more efficiently absorbed than simply root extract—helps with depression.
Zinc: A review of the existing studies suggests potential benefits of zinc supplementation—as citrate or glycinate— for depression.
Here are some strategies to help boost your mood and mental well-being as you taper off antidepressants and beyond:
Establish a daily routine: Creating a structured daily routine can provide a sense of stability, helping to alleviate the anxious feelings that accompany uncertainty.
Practice self-care: Prioritize yourself with self-care activities such as regular exercise, meditation, and spending time in nature, which can all significantly improve mood and reduce stress.
Build a support network: Surround yourself with supportive friends, family, and mental health professionals for emotional support and to reduce feelings of isolation.
Engage in pleasurable activities: Participate in activities that bring joy and satisfaction. They can help counter low mood and anxiety by promoting overall well-being.
Get enough sleep: Prioritizing good sleep hygiene is crucial, as too little sleep can exacerbate depressive symptoms. Develop a consistent sleep schedule and create a restful sleep environment.
Unfortunately, antidepressant discontinuation syndrome isn’t always preventable, but these tips may help to keep symptoms in check and support a stable mood.
Antidepressant withdrawal, also called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, refers to the symptoms that occur when stopping antidepressant medications—especially after long-term use. These symptoms can include anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, “brain zaps,” and mood changes.
It’s never recommended to quit antidepressants abruptly. Tapering slowly under the guidance of a qualified mental health professional greatly reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms and relapse. At Amen Clinics, we create personalized tapering plans supported by brain-based therapies, nutrition, and psychotherapy.
Yes. At Amen Clinics, we use brain SPECT imaging and a comprehensive evaluation to uncover the root causes of depression. This helps us create an individualized plan that may include natural therapies, targeted supplements, lifestyle changes, and psychotherapy to support a safer transition off antidepressants when appropriate.
Depression, mood disorders, and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
Mojtabai R, Olfson M. National patterns in antidepressant treatment by psychiatrists and general medical providers: results from the national comorbidity survey replication. J Clin Psychiatry. 2008 Jul;69(7):1064-74.
Ward W, Haslam A, Prasad V. Antidepressant Trial Duration Versus Duration of Real-World Use: A Systematic Analysis. Am J Med. 2025 May 3:S0002-9343(25)00286-4.
James Davies, John Read. A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects: Are guidelines evidence-based? Addictive Behaviors. Volume 97, 2019, Pages 111-121.
Hengartner MP, Schulthess L, Sorensen A, Framer A. Protracted withdrawal syndrome after stopping antidepressants: a descriptive quantitative analysis of consumer narratives from a large internet forum. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2020 Dec 24;10:2045125320980573.
John Read, Stevie Lewis, Mark Horowitz, Joanna Moncrieff. The need for antidepressant withdrawal support services: Recommendations from 708 patients. Psychiatry Research.Volume 326, 2023, 115303, ISSN 0165-1781.
Henssler, Jonathan et al. Incidence of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry. Volume 11, Issue 7, 526 – 535.
Kalfas M, Tsapekos D, Butler M, et al. Incidence and Nature of Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online July 09, 2025.
Horowitz MA, Framer A, Hengartner MP, Sørensen A, Taylor D. Estimating Risk of Antidepressant Withdrawal from a Review of Published Data. CNS Drugs. 2023 Feb;37(2):143-157.
Groot PC, van Os J. Outcome of antidepressant drug discontinuation with taperingstrips after 1-5 years. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2020 Sep 2;10:2045125320954609.
Olfson M, McClellan C, Zuvekas SH, Wall M, Blanco C. Psychotherapy Trends in the United States. Am J Psychiatry. 2025 May 1;182(5):483-492.
Guidi J, Fava GA. Sequential Combination of Pharmacotherapy and Psychotherapy in Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2021 Mar 1;78(3):261-269.
Yang X, Chen X, Fu Y, Luo Q, Du L, Qiu H, Qiu T, Zhang L, Meng H. Comparative efficacy and safety of Crocus sativus L. for treating mild to moderate major depressive disorder in adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2018 May 21;14:1297-1305.
Lopresti AL, Drummond PD. Efficacy of curcumin, and a saffron/curcumin combination for the treatment of major depression: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Affect Disord. 2017 Jan 1;207:188-196.
Lai J, Moxey A, Nowak G, Vashum K, Bailey K, McEvoy M. The efficacy of zinc supplementation in depression: systematic review of randomised controlled trials. J Affect Disord. 2012 Jan;136(1-2):e31-e39.