ARCHIVE

Many addiction treatment centers offer solid programs for overcoming addictions that ruin your life. So why do an estimated 40%-60% of people relapse? What’s missing?

The answer lies in your brain.

The brain is the supercomputer that runs your life. It plays a central role in your vulnerability to addiction and your ability to recover and maintain sobriety. Brain dysfunction is the #1 reason why people fall victim to addiction, why they can’t break the chains of addiction, and why they relapse. Understanding the brain’s role in addiction and recovery is the key to breaking free from your addictions.

How the Brain Keeps You Chained to Addiction

Your susceptibility to addiction depends in large part on the biological makeup of your brain and your brain’s reward system. What is the brain’s reward system? It is an intricate network of brain systems and neurotransmitters that are critical to human survival. It drives us to seek out the things we need to stay alive and carry on the human race, such as sex and food.

Many things that are not necessarily crucial to our survival also activate the reward system in a healthy way, such as:

Then there are substances and behaviors that cause the reward system to become overactive in an unhealthy way, such as:

Let’s take a closer look at the neurotransmitters and brain systems involved in the reward system so you can see how it works and how it gets out of whack. First, let’s examine the role played by four neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters act as the brain’s messengers, relaying information within the brain. The strength or weakness of each of these neurotransmitters plays an important role in your ability to stop engaging in bad behaviors, such as compulsive gambling or shopping, or in driving you to addiction.

Brain Chemicals Involved with Cravings and Self-Control

Dopamine—motivation, saliency, drive, stimulant
Serotonin—happy, anti-worry, calming
GABA—inhibitory, calms, relaxes
Endorphins—pleasure and pain-killing properties

Dopamine is a feel-good chemical. Whenever we do something enjoyable, it’s like pressing a button in the brain to release a little bit of dopamine to make us feel pleasure. Cocaine, methamphetamines, alcohol, and nicotine all cause dopamine surges that make these substances highly desirable—sometimes even more desirable than the things we need to survive like food, water, and sex. The amount of dopamine released when drugs are taken can be 2-10 times more than what your brain produces for natural rewards. When dopamine is in low supply, it is linked to depression, ADD/ADHD, addiction, and other mental health issues.

Serotonin is thought of as the happy, anti-worry, flexibility chemical. Many of the current antidepressants work on this neurotransmitter. When serotonin levels are low, people tend to be worried, rigid, inflexible, oppositional and argumentative, and they are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, obsessive thinking, or compulsive behaviors.

GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that calms or helps to relax the brain. If you have suffered an emotional trauma or you are under a lot of stress, GABA may be depleted and your emotional or limbic brain may become excessively active, which is associated with depression and stress. This can lead you to use substances in an attempt to self-medicate and calm your limbic brain.

Endorphins are the brain’s own natural pleasure and pain-killing chemicals. They are the body’s own natural morphine or heroin-like compounds. Substances like opioids trigger the release of endorphins, which are heavily involved in addiction and the loss of control.

Why Can’t I Just Say No? The Brain’s Self-Control Circuit

The brain systems that drive you to seek out things that bring you pleasure and the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which puts on the brakes when you are about to engage in risky behavior, work in concert to create your self-control circuit.

In a healthy self-control circuit, an effective PFC provides impulse control and good judgment while the deep limbic system offers an adequate dose of motivation so you can plan and follow through on your goals. You can say no to alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription opioids, gambling, and many other bad behaviors.

In the addicted brain, the PFC is diminished and the drive circuits take control. When the PFC is underactive, it can create an imbalance in the reward system and cause you to lose control over your behavior. When this is the case you are more likely to fall victim to relapse despite your desire to stay in recovery. Having low activity often results in a tendency for impulse-control problems and poor internal supervision, and is associated with ADD/ADHD.

To overcome addiction, stick with a recovery program, and avoid relapse, it’s critical to address any underlying brain dysfunction as well as any co-occurring mental health conditions.

At Amen Clinics, we use brain SPECT imaging as part of a comprehensive evaluation to help our patients see and understand any underlying brain dysfunction. This is often a powerful first step to breaking the chains of addiction. We use an integrated brain-body approach to healing the brain and treating co-occurring mental health problems. If you want to join the thousands of people who have already enhanced their brain health and overcome their addictions and psychiatric symptoms at Amen Clinics, speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.

A growing body of evidence is finding a link between vitamin D levels and autism. New research in a 2019 edition of Molecular Psychiatry found that mothers with low levels of vitamin D at 11 weeks of pregnancy were associated with 1.58 greater odds of their child developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For this study, vitamin D insufficiency was defined as 25-<50 mmol/L on a blood test called 25-hydroxy vitamin D.

Similarly, in this same study, infants with vitamin D levels under 25 mmol/L were 1.33 times as likely to have ASD as newborns with vitamin D levels of 50 mmol/L or higher. When both the mother and baby had low levels, the odds were even higher—1.75 times increased risk of autism.

These findings are consistent with a 2017 study in British Journal of Psychiatry Open, which found that children born to mothers with mid-pregnancy vitamin D deficiency had more than twice the risk of developing ASD.

Another study from 2018 that focused on 3-year-old children found that those in the bottom 25% of vitamin D levels were at a 260% increased risk of ASD.

The exact mechanism of how vitamin D deficiency impacts the risk of autism remains unclear, but the important nutrient plays a vital role in overall brain development.

The Neuroprotective Qualities of Vitamin D

On the flip side, newborns with high levels of vitamin D have reduced odds of autism compared with infants with low levels, according to the largest study to explore the connection between the vitamin and ASD. This study, presented at the 2018 International Society for Autism Research involved a blood analysis of 3,370 infants.

Vitamin D has many other neuroprotective qualities. Called the “sunshine vitamin,” it is actually a steroid hormone, and it activates receptors on neurons in regions important to the regulation of behavior. It also protects the brain by acting in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity.

The sunshine vitamin also plays a critical role in the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is involved in mood control, shifting attention, and cognitive flexibility. And it has a powerful influence on cognitive and mental health, in addition to physical health. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with depression, cognitive impairment, and psychosis, as well as heart disease, cancer, obesity, and all causes of mortality.

The Vitamin D Crisis

A report in JAMA Internal Medicine that looked at vitamin D levels for American adults in 1988-1994 compared with 2001-2004 showed that our levels are dropping. The percentage of people with levels of 30 ng/mL or more fell from 45% to 23%. This means that 3 out of 4 Americans have low levels of this important vitamin.

Some of the reasons for the dramatic rise in vitamin D deficiency include the fact that people are wearing more sunscreen when outside and spending more time inside while working or sitting in front of the television or computer.

The following groups are more likely to experience vitamin D deficiency:

Optimizing vitamin D levels (especially vitamin D3) has been associated with improvements in a number of areas. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, you may want to get your vitamin D level checked and optimize it if it is low.

Similarly, if you have a child with autism, have their vitamin D level tested and optimize it if necessary. One study in Pediatrics found that supplementation with vitamin D improved symptoms of autism. In addition, here are some other things you can do for your autistic child.

At Amen Clinics, we have seen more than 1,000 people with ASD and have used brain imaging in combination with blood tests and lab work as part of a comprehensive evaluation to get an accurate diagnosis and provide targeted treatments that minimize symptoms. If you want your child to join the many others who have improved their autism symptoms at Amen Clinics, speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.

By Melissa Quinn, MD

Marcia (not her real name) sat across from me in my office at Amen Clinics in Los Angeles. She felt good about the tremendous gains she had made in terms of her mood stability, sleep patterns, and anxiety level. Yet, according to her family, she remained short-tempered and easily irritated.

She’d been prescribed nearly every combination of medications but had experienced significant side effects on many of them. After I ordered genetic testing for her, we were finally on the right track.

When I suggested adding lithium orotate as part of her wellness plan, she looked at me stunned. Having a doctor recommend lithium brought up feelings of fear and confusion for Marcia. These sentiments are understandable, given that prescription lithium has significant risks, including hand tremors, increased urination, hair thinning, decreased thyroid function (over time), and more.

Lithium has been approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder and may also be helpful when prescribed “off-label” for conditions, such as treatment-resistant depression with suicidal thinking. When treating these illnesses, dosages of lithium can reach 1,800mg daily.

The supplement lithium orotate, however, contains much smaller quantities of lithium than the prescription form, generally ranging from 5mg to 10mg daily and in some cases, up to 20mg daily. Some clinicians are skeptical that such a low dosage can provide much support, but many clients have reported feeling benefits.

The Basics of Lithium and Lithium Orotate

Here’s some background on lithium orotate and some examples of how clinicians are using it. Lithium orotate is an over-the-counter nutraceutical that consists of orotic acid (a compound produced naturally in the body) and lithium (an alkali metal). Lithium is present in the diet, mainly in grains and vegetables, which is why the supplement is often called “nutritional lithium.”

In fact, lithium is so important to our health that it has been added to the World Health Organization’s list of nutritionally essential trace elements. The orotate compound is important because it delivers the lithium in its bioactive form so your body can absorb it.

Lithium is found in the drinking water in many cities, and research shows that there is an association of lowered incidence of crimes, suicides, and arrests related to drug addictions in these areas. Some researchers are even suggesting we should put lithium in drinking water as a way to reduce suicide. The research indicates that lithium at a low dosage has a beneficial effect on behavior. 

Prescription-strength lithium is regarded as a neuroprotective agent. It’s being studied in certain neurodegenerative disorders, namely, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson’s disease. It’s been shown to disrupt glycogen synthase kinase-3, a key enzyme responsible for the development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles associated with Alzheimer’s disease. A study in the 2015 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease concluded that lithium treatment may have beneficial effects on cognitive performance in people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.

Findings suggest that the supplement lithium orotate can promote a positive mood and supports cognitive function in the elderly.

Clinicians should be aware of the very important differences between full-dose prescription lithium and the low-dose supplement lithium orotate. When recommended appropriately, the supplement can be a beneficial addition to the clinical toolbox.

About the Author: Melissa Quinn, MD, Amen Clinics Los Angeles

Dr. Melissa Quinn is a psychiatrist who is double board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Her passion is to help people heal, get psychologically well, find the relief they deserve, and help them to become the best version of themselves. She helps children, adolescents, adults, and families get their lives back on track with a whole-person—and when appropriate—a whole-family approach. By developing her clients’ inner strengths, she shows them how to reach their highest potential.

She knows that people are seeking a range of solutions for prevention, health, and healing. As a result, Dr. Quinn became passionate about learning integrative approaches and was subsequently board-certified in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through The Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine. She later went on to peruse a fellowship in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) through Duke University. She enjoys working with a variety of clients, but she specializes in working with patients with ADHD, developmental and intellectual delays, anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and mood disorders.

 

When the TV remote goes on the fritz, do you throw it against the wall in anger? If someone cuts you off on the highway, do you want to chase after that person and run them off the road? When someone looks at you funny, is your first instinct to yell at them or punch them in the face?

Reacting with anger, aggression, or violence can get you into trouble. Temper flare-ups can cause strife in your relationships. Getting into fights can lead to physical harm. And if you go too far, a violent nature can eventually lead to trouble with the law.

For many people, episodes of anger or aggression are often followed by feelings of guilt and shame. Even though you know that shoving someone and throwing things isn’t desirable behavior, you can’t help yourself. Does it mean you’re a bad person?

Are Angry People Bad People?

Take a look at these individuals who struggle with anger.

Blaine: As a schoolboy, Blaine had a terrible time learning to read and frequently got into fights.

At age 60, he was still aggressive and moody. His temper outbursts just seemed to come out of the blue. “The littlest things set me off. Then I feel terribly guilty,” says Blaine.

Jason: This 30-something business executive admits he has frequent, intense violent thoughts. “I can be walking down the street and someone accidentally brushes against me, and I get the thought of wanting to shoot him or club him to death,” says Jason. “These thoughts frighten me.”

Misty: At age 45, Misty was besieged by angry outbursts. One day, someone had inadvertently bumped into her in the grocery store and she had started screaming at the woman. “I just don’t understand where my anger comes from,” she says. “I’ve had 16 years of therapy, and it is still there. Out of the blue, I’ll go off. I get the most horrid thoughts. You’d hate me if you knew.”

What Brain Imaging Reveals About Anger and Violence

Are Blaine, Jason, and Misty bad people? Do they lack a moral compass? Is there a reason why they act the way they do? Brain imaging studies show that anger, aggression, and violent behavior—often diagnosed as intermittent explosive disorder—are often signs of abnormalities in an area of the brain called the left temporal lobe.

The temporal lobes are located on either side of the brain behind the eyes and underneath the temples. On the dominant side of the brain (the left side in most people), the temporal lobe is intimately involved with emotional stability, as well as memory, language comprehension, and visual and auditory processing. Research has shown that emotional stability is heavily influenced by the temporal lobe. Optimum activity in the temporal lobes enhances mood stability, while increased or decreased activity in this part of the brain leads to fluctuating, inconsistent, or unpredictable moods and behaviors. Problems associated with abnormal activity in the dominant (usually left) left temporal lobe include:

The symptoms above are typically thought of as psychological, but in reality, they have a biological basis. Temporal abnormalities occur much more frequently than previously recognized. This is because the temporal lobes sit in a vulnerable area of the skull that makes them prone to damage even in mild traumatic brain injuries and concussions. Head injuries aren’t the only source of temporal lobe problems. They can also stem from genetics or exposure to toxins or infections.

What’s Behind Their Anger?

What caused Blaine, Jason, and Misty to develop such an aggressive nature? Brain SPECT imaging studies, which show healthy and abnormal brain activity, helped shine a light on their behavior.

Blaine: When Blaine was 5 years old, he fell off the porch headfirst into a pile of bricks. His SPECT scans showed significantly low activity in his prefrontal cortex and left temporal lobe, likely due to that childhood head injury.

Jason: Because Jason’s father was also a “rageaholic” it is likely that there was a genetic component involved and Jason inherited his temporal lobe dysfunction. His SPECT scan confirmed left temporal lobe abnormalities, but he had good prefrontal cortex activity, so he was able to supervise his behavior and maintain impulse control over his terrible thoughts.

Misty: At the age of 4, Misty fell off the top of a bunk bed and had been unconscious for only 1-2 minutes. Her brain scan revealed damage to the front and back parts of her left temporal lobe.

Can Violent People Change?

Is there any hope for people like Blaine, Jason, and Misty to change? Is there hope for you if you’re filled with anger or have violent thoughts and behavior?

Blaine: On a comprehensive treatment plan intended to stabilize temporal lobe activity and enhance prefrontal cortex activity, Blaine got a grip on his anger. And it happened quickly. Just 3 weeks after starting treatment, he said he hadn’t lost his temper a single time since getting on the new regimen. “That was the first time in my life I can remember going 3 weeks and not screaming at someone,” he says. Four years later, his temper was still under control.

Jason: With treatment, Jason had far fewer violent thoughts. And after seeing that his aggressive nature was related to biological abnormalities in his left temporal lobe, he no longer felt ashamed.

Misty: When Misty began a treatment program that included both medication, supplements, and other natural therapies, she found it very helpful in calming the “monster” within.

As these 3 individuals show, people who have a tendency to explode in anger can change. Seeking an evaluation and looking at the brain to understand the root causes of unwanted aggressive behavior is an important first step.

If you want to feel more in control of your temper, or you want a loved one to stop violent behavior, the Amen Clinics can help. We’ve helped thousands of people, including Blaine, Jason, and Misty, rein in their anger. We use brain SPECT imaging as part of a comprehensive evaluation to find underlying patterns of brain dysfunction associated with aggression and violent behavior. Based on this information, we are better able to personalize treatment using the least toxic, most effective solutions for a better outcome.

For more information, call 888-288-9834 to talk to a specialist today or schedule a visit.

About 75% of the body’s neurotransmitters are produced in the gastrointestinal tract, and they are in direct communication with the brain. Because of this, the health of your gut—and the trillions of bacteria that live there—is tightly linked to your brain function and your mental health. New research suggests gut bacteria is so powerful it could be used to treat clinical depression.

Good Bugs vs. Bad Bugs

Some gut bacteria are beneficial to your health and well-being while others are harmful. And in a classic good guy vs. bad guy scenario, they are all trying to wrestle for control of your microbiome. When the ratio of good bugs to bad bugs is about 85 percent good guys to 15 percent troublemakers, it creates a healthy gut. When the ratio is tipped the other way, the bad bugs cause trouble and can lead to physical and mental problems.

If the good bugs are deficient, you are more likely to feel anxious, stressed, depressed, and tired. New research has also found a gut-brain link in autism.

In some people, imbalances in gut bacteria contribute to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract becoming porous. Known as leaky gut, this condition is associated with mood and anxiety disorders, ADD/ADHD,  Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease. Leaky gut is also linked to chronic inflammation, along with a host of other issues from autoimmune diseases (such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and multiple sclerosis) and digestive issues (gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea) to seasonal allergies and skin problems (acne, rosacea).

The Link Between Bacteria and Depression

Researchers at Northeastern University have long been investigating the link between gut bacteria and mental health, and in particular, to clinical depression. For a 2018 study, they teamed up with researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College to take a deeper dive into the connection. They took brain scans as well as fecal samples from people who had been diagnosed with depression and discovered that people with brain patterns associated with depression had fewer bacteria of a particular genus called Bacteroides.

These bacteria produce the neurotransmitter GABA, which helps calm the brain and prevent it from over-firing. People with low levels of GABA are more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia.

Treating Depression with Bacteria

The researchers suggest this opens up the possibility of treating depression with the bacteria that produce GABA. The idea of manipulating gut health to promote better mental health is still in its infancy, however, this isn’t the first time that scientists have pointed to gut bacteria as a possible therapy for depression.

In a 2011 trial, when mice ingested specific bacteria, it increased GABA levels and decreased behaviors associated with depression and anxiety. And back in 2005, a study in Medical Hypotheses suggested that probiotics—live bacteria found ­in some foods, like yogurt, and in supplements—may be beneficial as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for major depressive disorder.

3 Ways to Boost Beneficial Gut Bacteria

Until bacteria therapies are developed, there are many things you can do to promote better gut health, including the following:

1. Limit alcohol consumption.

Alcohol is used to clean your skin of bacteria before you receive an injection and as a preservative for scientific specimens. It’s hard to imagine that it can be good for the 100 trillion bugs living in your gut that are essential to your life.

2. Skip sugar.

Consuming too much sugar promotes an overgrowth of yeast (bad bugs) in your gut.

3. Consume prebiotics.

Dietary fiber that promotes good bugs can be found in apples, beans, cabbage, psyllium, artichokes, onions, leeks, asparagus, and root vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, yams, squash, jicama, beets, carrots, and turnips.

If you’re suffering from depression and aren’t responding to treatment, it may be time to think about your gut health. At Amen Clinics, we have helped thousands of patients overcome depressive symptoms with a personalized treatment plan that includes addressing gut health and nutrition.

Amen Clinics takes the guesswork out of psychiatry by performing comprehensive brain-body evaluations that include looking at a variety of biological issues that contribute to symptoms of depression. Schedule a visit online or call 888-288-9834 to speak to a specialist.

Everybody feels anxious from time to time. You get a knot in your stomach when you’re going on a first date, your hands get sweaty when you have a job interview, or you can’t stop those racing thoughts about your financial situation. For some people, the nervousness, worry, and panic feel constant. You’re not alone.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the nation with 40 million American adults experiencing feelings of tension, apprehension, and fear each year. Seeking treatment often results in a prescription for medication. But anti-anxiety pills can be bad news.

The Problems with Anti-Anxiety Pills

Beware that traditional treatment with anti-anxiety medications can be harmful to the brain. For example, benzodiazepines—including Xanax, Valium, and Ativan—suppress brain activity and can make the brain look toxic (shriveled or low in activity). They have also been found to increase the risk of dementia.

Even more alarming is the fact that deaths from overdoses involving benzos quadrupled from 2002 to 2015, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. And a 2016 study found that the number of prescriptions being doled out for benzos has jumped by 67%. Now, an estimated 13.5 million American adults are popping these harmful and addictive antianxiety pills.

Because of their addictive nature, getting off benzos can be challenging. Stopping the pills abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms, including a worsening of anxiety.

Fortunately, pills aren’t the only option to ease your anxiety.

Natural Ways to Soothe Anxiety

Here are 6 things you can do to lower anxiety before resorting to medication.

1. Check for underlying medical causes.

Low blood sugar, anemia, and hyperthyroidism can cause symptoms associated with anxiety. When necessary, addressing those medical issues can help alleviate symptoms.

2. Just breathe.

Slow and deep belly breathing, as well as meditation, can immediately increase a sense of calm.

3. Try hypnosis.

Hypnosis and guided imagery can be very powerful in helping you overcome symptoms of anxiety.

4. Do calming exercises.

Yoga and qi gong can help you achieve a more peaceful mindset.

5. Learn to kill the ANTs.

The automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) that invade your thinking can make you feel awful. You do not have to believe every stupid thought you have.

6. Start with nutritional supplements.

Nutraceuticals—such as l-theanine, GABA, and magnesium—have been found to promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Try these before resorting to antianxiety medications that can be both addictive and toxic to your brain,

Find out more about these and other natural strategies to calm anxiety in this “Skills or Pills” episode of The Brain Warrior’s Way Podcast with Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen.

Amen Clinics has helped thousands of people overcome anxiety and panic attacks. We use brain SPECT imaging to help identify your particular type of anxiety to help find personalized solutions as part of a brain-body approach to healing.

If you or a loved one is experiencing debilitating anxiety, speak with a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit online.

By Rishi Sood, MD, ABPN

Imagine waking up every morning feeling sad, exhausted and hopeless.  You go to the doctor and after a brief visit, you are prescribed a medication that is intended to increase serotonin (the “happy” chemical).  After 4 to 6 weeks you are told that you should see improvement, but your symptoms get worse.   You return to the doctor and are told to discontinue the treatment and over the course of several years go through several medication trials and all sorts of psychotherapy, which do not help.  More aggressive approaches are tried.  However, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, ECT, and Ketamine (used in treatment-resistant cases) fail to provide relief.  Over this time period, your marriage ends, you become unemployed and the only purpose to continue living is to see your children grow.  Unfortunately, this had been Kevin’s journey when he arrived at the Amen Clinics New York in September of 2017.

When I met Kevin for an initial consultation, he shared that we were his last hope.  We agreed that we needed to take a deeper look to determine what we were missing.  We began by taking a detailed childhood developmental history.

It was evident that Kevin was exposed to early childhood trauma. His earliest memories were of his parents arguing with the quarrels turning violent when his father would drink alcohol.  His older sister would intervene, while Kevin would avoid conflict altogether and use video games to escape reality.  Kevin was described by peers and teachers as a shy, introverted, well-behaved boy, but what no one could see is how much Kevin struggled with focus.  When teachers would lecture, he would zone out or, as he described it “my brain would shut down.”  Completing homework took more than four hours when it should have taken one to two hours to complete.  Kevin was able to get “average” grades but often felt inferior as his parents would compare him to Asian peers who were excelling in their tight-knit community.  His mother would tell him to work harder and berate him for being lazy.  During his adolescence, Kevin turned to marijuana to numb his feelings of inadequacy and decrease overall stress.

Hearing this, I began to think of Kevin’s poor brain.  I had an idea of what could be going on but needed to actually look at his brain to really have a clear picture.

When we scanned his brain, several subcortical structures were much more active as compared to healthy controls for his age group.  A “diamond pattern” was seen in both resting and concentration states.  We often see this pattern in individuals who have experienced emotional trauma and suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  It was as if Kevin’s brain was on high alert ready to defend against any threat when there was no threat. 

Initial SPECT scans showing high activity in subcortical regions.

It was also evident that Kevin had frontal lobe dysfunction which worsened when he concentrated.  The frontal lobe is the “Executive Center” of our brain and governs concentration and short-term memory.  This explained Kevin’s struggles in school and in his marriage where he reported: “not being able to keep up with daily responsibilities which led to severe disaccord between me and my ex-wife.” 

In order to effectively help Kevin, it was imperative that both systems (frontal lobe and subcortical) needed to be targeted.  Upon review of prior treatment plans, both systems were in fact targeted but never together.

The first phase of treatment involved quieting the subcortical circuitry without causing further frontal lobe dysfunction.  Our research has shown that a particular class of medications (SNRI-Selective Serotonin Norepinephrine Inhibitors) can drastically reduce depressive symptoms when dealing with these specific brain patterns.  We started Venlafaxine (SNRI) and within six weeks Kevin began to report less obsessional thinking, and agitation and was no longer in a constant “fight or flight state.” 

To help further decrease the high activity in the emotional trauma circuitry, Kevin completed several sessions of Eye Movement Desensitization Processing (EMDR). During the EMDR therapy, Kevin attended to emotionally disturbing material (i.e. witnessing his father physically abusing his mother). The EMDR therapy facilitated the accessing of his traumatic memory network so that information processing was enhanced, with new associations forged between the traumatic memory and more adaptive memories or information.  Kevin reported that the memories “no longer controlled me, it was as if I was free from the past.”

Despite his improvement, Kevin continued to report struggling with attention which made sense as we still had work to do on his frontal lobe.  Kevin and I agreed to take more of a natural approach, before adding more medication.  We started Omega 3 Power and L-Tyrosine to increase dopamine levels.  Within two weeks Kevin reported improved concentration and within three months read a novel cover to cover for the first time in his life. 

Kevin understood that taking the medication and supplementation provided the scaffolding to aid in recovery.  To take his brain health to the next level he would need to do more.  Now that the depression had lifted, he was motivated.  Kevin began to exercise (High-Intensity Interval Training 3 times per week) and eliminated processed sugar from his diet.  This further increased energy levels and enhanced sleep.

In just 6 months, Kevin’s condition had dramatically improved and he reported having a “new lease on life.”

As I reflect on Kevin’s case, I cannot help but wonder, “What would have happened to Kevin had we not looked at his brain?”   I do not believe we would have been able to help Kevin.  This case highlights how critical it is to understand the interplay of brain systems and how optimization in a specific sequence can lead to dramatic improvement.  

We continue in our quest in helping others, with the hope that one day everyone will have the opportunity that Kevin had.  When Kevin changed his brain by doing the things we recommended, he changed his life.

About the Author: Rishi Sood, MD, ABPN

Dr. Sood values working with adults and children across all age ranges. He is experienced in mood and anxiety disorders, addiction, ADD/ADHD, impulsive/disruptive behavior disorders, Autism Spectrum, psychotic disorders, OCD, and PTSD. He uses dynamic as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, family psychotherapy and works to integrate pharmacotherapy and alternative therapies to optimize brain health and function. Behavioral change is a process and Dr. Sood incorporates a motivational interviewing approach into evaluations to support the client and meet them where they are at, offering client-centered care. He firmly believes that clients do well with continued support in their journey toward optimal brain health.

 

Are you getting enough vitamin D? If you’re like most people, you probably aren’t. Vitamin D deficiencies are becoming more common, affecting about half of the people on planet Earth. According to one study, 70% of adults and 67% of kids ages 1-11 have insufficient levels of vitamin D. It’s no wonder when you consider the increasing amount of time we spend indoors and all that sunscreen we slather on our bodies when we’re outside. (Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D is activated when sunlight hits the skin.)

Vitamin D deficiency, or even just less-than-optimal levels of the sunshine vitamin, can spell trouble for your memory and moods. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with depression, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and cognitive decline, as well as psychosis, autism, heart disease, and about 200 other conditions.

Who’s at Risk for Low Vitamin D Levels?

Anyone can have sub-optimal levels of the sunshine vitamin, but certain groups are at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, including:

Vitamin D Deficiency and Memory Decline

Receptors for vitamin D are found throughout the brain and play a critical role in making memories. A team of researchers at Tufts University in Boston analyzed vitamin D blood levels in over 1,000 people over the age of 65 to determine its relationship to cognitive function. Out of the 1,000 study participants, 65% had “insufficient” or “deficient” levels of the sunshine vitamin.  These people performed worse on tests of executive function (such as reasoning, flexibility, and perceptual complexity), attention, and processing speed compared with those who had optimal levels of vitamin D.

Other research appearing in a 2015 issue of JAMA Neurology showed that older adults with low levels of the sunshine vitamin experienced memory loss faster than those with healthy levels. The study included seniors with dementia, with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and with normal cognitive function. The MCI group had lower levels of vitamin D than the cognitively healthy people, and those with dementia had even lower levels than the MCI group. The older adults with insufficient or deficient levels of vitamin D experienced accelerated rates of decline in terms of executive function and episodic memory (remembering your own life history) compared with those who had normal levels.

Low Vitamin D = Low Mood

The lower your vitamin D, the more likely you are to experience the blues. A 2013 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Psychiatry looked at research involving a total of 31,424 people and found that having low levels of vitamin D increased the risk for depression. On the flip side, individuals with depressive disorders were more likely to have lower vitamin D levels. Vitamin D receptors are present in areas of the brain associated with depression, which researchers suggest may explain the connection.

3 Ways to Optimize Your Vitamin D Levels

Boosting vitamin D levels has been shown to promote better moods and appears to be neuroprotective. Here are 3 simple ways to achieve healthy levels.

If you’re suffering from symptoms of depression or memory loss, Amen Clinics can help. The Amen Clinics Method takes a unique brain-body approach to assessment that includes lab tests (including vitamin D levels) to determine if biological factors are contributing to symptoms, as well as brain SPECT imaging to evaluate brain health. With this valuable information, our physicians are better able to personalize treatment for your specific needs.

To find out how we can help you, call us today at 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit online.

Being overweight can make you feel bad about the way you look and feel like a failure if you can’t stick to a healthy diet. But can it actually contribute to depression?

A growing body of evidence shows that obesity and depression go hand in hand and can feed off each other. Weight problems increase the risk of developing depression. Likewise, people who are depressed are more likely to be overweight and experience a faster rise in body mass index (BMI) than people who are not depressed. Which came first—the weight problem or the depression—remains to be seen.

Fat, Depression, and the Brain

Fat tissue can contribute to the problem. Fat cells secrete substances called cytokines that cause inflammation. Chronic inflammation of the brain, which is often found in people who are obese, is also found in those struggling with depression.

Brain imaging studies show that the areas of the brain that are most impacted by obesity tend to be the ones involved in self-control and the regulation of appetite. When these brain regions aren’t functioning at optimal levels, it can make you more vulnerable to overeating and to giving in to cravings for unhealthy foods, which compounds the problem.

People who are depressed also tend to have markedly increased activity in the limbic areas of the brain, which are involved in setting a person’s emotional tone.

7 Tips to Get Thinner and Happier

Losing the extra pounds can help alleviate depressive symptoms and vice versa, getting your depression under control can help you manage your weight. Making minor tweaks to your food, nutritional supplements, exercise, and even your thinking patterns can help you do it.

1. Know your brain type.

Not all people who are overweight and depressed are the same. Knowing your brain type is the first step into learning more about how your unique brain functions. Brain imaging studies show that there are 5 types of overeaters and 7 types of depression:

Type 1: Pure Anxiety

Type 2: Pure Depression

Type 3: Mixed Depression

Type 4: Over-focused Depression

Type 5: Temporal Lobe Depression

Type 6: Cyclic Depression

Type 7: Unfocused Depression

Knowing your type can help you find the best solutions for your needs.

2. Eat more healthy fats to lose fat and feel better.

Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with depression and obesity. There is also evidence that low levels of these fatty acids play a role in substance abuse, and it can be argued that overeating is a form of substance abuse. Boosting omega-3 levels is one of the best things you can do for your weight and moods. Research shows it decreases body fat, appetite, and cravings, in addition to reducing symptoms of depression. Unlike what we have been told in the past, good fats are not the enemy of a healthy diet. To increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, eat more:

3. Optimize vitamin D levels.

Having low levels of vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” has been associated with both depression and obesity. Some researchers believe that nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population suffers from a vitamin D deficiency.  Get your levels tested and supplement with vitamin D if needed.

4. Get moving every day.

It’s no secret that exercise revs your metabolism, but it is also a powerful mood booster. In fact, several studies have found it to be as effective as antidepressant medication. How does it do it? Physical exercise stimulates neurotransmitter activity, especially dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which elevates mood. One of the ways it helps is by boosting a substance called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is involved in growing new brain cells and has been found to be instrumental in putting the brakes on depression.

5. Do the best exercises for boosting moods and metabolism.

The best exercises for people who are both depressed and overweight include those that combine aerobic coordination activities and a social aspect. The aerobic activity boosts blood flow and neurotransmitter activity, and social bonding can help calm overactivity in the brain’s limbic system to boost your mood. Try these activities:

6. Change your thinking, change your weight and moods.

Automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) can infest your mind and keep you chained to unhealthy habits that cause weight gain and mired in the negativity that contributes to depression. You may be familiar with ANTs like these:

“I have no control over my eating.”

“I don’t like foods that are healthy for me.”

“I have to eat to comfort myself.”

These ANTs play a major role in making you fat and stealing your happiness. Learning to challenge your thoughts is critical to winning the battle of the bulge and enhancing your moods.

7. Try the natural supplement SAMe.

A helpful treatment for emotional overeaters is the natural supplement SAMe in dosages of 400-1,600 mg. It is involved in the production of several neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine) that affect mood. The brain normally produces, all the same, it needs from the amino acid methionine. When a person is depressed, however, it impairs the synthesis of SAMe. Taking SAMe has been found to promote positive moods and also suppress appetite.

With the world’s largest database of functional brain scans — 150,000 and growing —Amen Clinics physicians are able to more accurately diagnose and more effectively treat the 7 types of depression than any other healthcare professionals. We also take a unique brain-body approach to treatment that includes brain health nutrition coaching to help you feed your body and fuel your brain so you can achieve and maintain a healthy weight and healthy moods.

Find out how we can help you today at 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit online.

Many people are aware of some of the devastating consequences of uncontrolled or untreated diabetes, including an increased risk for heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure. But did you know that it also puts you at a higher risk for memory problems, Alzheimer’s disease, and other types of dementia? Scientific evidence links abnormal insulin levels to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. That’s bad news for the 50% of the U.S. population who have diabetes or prediabetes.

Diabetes is a disorder that occurs when the body’s blood sugar levels are chronically too high. The condition develops when the body either does not produce enough insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels or does not use insulin efficiently. There are two types of diabetes:

Both types of diabetes damage blood vessels, which then cause harm to the body’s organs and brain.

Prediabetes, a precursor to type 2 diabetes, is defined as having blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

Diabetes and the Brain

Brain imaging studies using a technology called SPECT shows that diabetes has been linked to decreased blood flow to the brain (which is the #1 predictor of future memory problems) and a smaller hippocampus, a brain region that is involved in the formation of memories.

Even mildly elevated blood sugar levels and prediabetes are significant problems and are associated with brain atrophy, memory problems, and dementia. In people who didn’t have diabetes, the risk of dementia was 18% higher for those with an average blood glucose level of 115 milligrams per deciliter compared to those with average glucose levels of 100 mg/dL. (Normal blood sugar levels are less than 100 mg/dL.) And every incrementally higher glucose level was associated with a higher risk of dementia.

“High normal” blood sugar levels have also been linked with shrinkage in the hippocampus, leading to memory problems. The dementia risk was even worse for people who had diabetes because their blood sugar levels were generally higher. It was 40% higher for people with an average glucose level of 190 mg/dL compared to those with an average glucose level of 160 mg/dL.

10 Ways to Lower Your Risk for Diabetes and Protect Your Memory

The great news is that diabetes and prediabetes are preventable and even reversible in many cases and can help protect your memory. Here are 10 ways to do it.

  1. Ditch all sugar and artificial sweeteners. The refined stuff causes blood sugar levels to spike, and the fake stuff is linked to a higher risk of dementia.
  2. Limit high-glycemic, low-fiber foods (think cookies, cake, and pretzels).
  3. Eat smart carbohydrates that are high in fiber and low-glycemic (think vegetables, fruits, and protein-rich carbs like quinoa).
  4. Skip sodas and sugar-laden energy drinks and opt for still or sparkling water instead.
  5. Drink decaffeinated tea and coffee to boost metabolism and lower the risk of diabetes.
  6. Eat small quantities of high-quality protein and some healthy fat (such as avocado, walnuts, or olive oil) with every meal to stabilize blood sugar levels.
  7. If you’re overweight or obese, forget crash diets. Instead, lose weight gradually as you develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
  8. Make physical exercise—and especially strength training—a part of your daily routine to help balance blood sugar levels. In one study, women who did strength training reduced their incidence of diabetes by 30% compared to women who did no strength training.
  9. Spice up your cooking with cinnamon, which has been shown to lower fasting glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce HbA1c (a test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months)
  10. Supplement your diet with a high-quality multivitamin/mineral, as well as:
    • vitamin D (low levels have been linked to memory problems, including Alzheimer’s disease)
    • omega-3 fatty acids EPA/DHA (help maintain proper insulin signaling)
    • chromium picolinate (can aid in insulin regulation)
    • alpha-lipoic acid (improves overall blood sugar management)

If you or a loved one has diabetes or is experiencing memory problems, understand that there are many things you can do to prevent or reverse diabetes and memory loss. At Amen Clinics, we use brain SPECT imaging as part of a comprehensive brain-body assessment to help us develop a personalized treatment plan for your needs. Our Memory Rescue program has already helped many patients improve their memory.

Reach out today to speak with a specialist at 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit online.