ADHD (otherwise known as attention deficit disorder) is a non-discriminatory disorder affecting people of every age, gender, IQ, religious and socio-economic background.(1) If you have children who you suspect have atypical neuro behavior, there’s a large chance they inherited from you (most commonly the mother). ADHD, AD/HD, and ADD all refer to the same disorder. The only difference is that some people have hyperactivity and some people don’t. (1)
ADHD affects anywhere between 3-6% of the adult population, and is one of the top psychiatric illnesses noted to cause interference with daily activities and overall functioning. This disease can be noticed as early as the age of 7 in children, and up to 70% of these kids can have continuing problems as they get older. (2) Think about your own childhood struggles, and see if you can find patterns and behaviors that affected your progress or success.
“As I became older, my adult ADD continued to have a severely negative impact on my ability to focus, complete tasks, and even stay engaged during conversations.”
-Neil S.
If ADHD isn’t addressed early in life, issues such as drug problems, dropping out of school, issues with jobs/careers, and even time in prison could be potential outcomes for adults living with this condition. However, it can be tricky to diagnose this disease, since half of people that have ADHD also have another similar corresponding mental illness, such as anxiety or mood disorders, which can make it difficult to narrow down the ADHD diagnosis. (2)
Some of the symptoms and behaviors that typically appear with ADHD are:
Impulsiveness
Sensory dysfunction
Restlessness, inability to sit still for any length of time
Anxiety/depression
Unreliable mood swings
Unable to concentrate fully at given tasks or conversations
Easily distracted
Makes careless mistakes or lacks attention to detail
Avoids tasks that require sustained mental effort
Hyperfocus
Blurts out answers or excessive talking
Hot temper/quick fuse
Very impatient
Issues with self-confidence and self-esteem
Gets bored easily
Sleep restlessness, active mind
Currently, there are several ways that management of ADHD can be made possible, but this will be on a case by case basis. Some of the more natural management patterns include self-esteem enhancement activities, proper structure of daily living, and goal setting, especially for those who don’t notice a huge disruption in day to day activities or interruption from family/career/etc. However, there is another path of symptom management that many choose, and that is medication. (2)
“I was done with taking prescription medications like Adderall and the numerous bad side effects that came with them.”
– Neil S.
Unfortunately, the side effects of the medications on the market today to help with ADHD can have some adverse reactions; one popular medication, known as Ritalin, can lead to headaches, appetite loss, issues with sleeping, and anxiety/nervousness, just to name a few. (3) This is just one of the many stimulants available to patients suffering with ADHD, although antidepressants are utilized as well. Both of these options alter substances within the brain, and can have differing side effects for each person.
In particular, research has been done on those patients that have been using stimulants like Ritalin for extended periods of time, in order to note long term usage effects. Over time, studies have shown that taking this type of medication consistently can decrease the occurrence of depression as the patient ages; however, an updated study performed over the course of twelve years (and observing over 6500 children) noted that constant use of these stimulant drugs can cause a correspondingly large increase in the use of antidepressants during puberty. (4)
Research for this particular study began with children ranging from six to eight years old, who were prescribed a stimulant like Ritalin in order to manage symptoms from ADHD. These children – and their corresponding medicine intake over the years – were recorded until they reached twelve years of age. After this span of time, researchers noted that children who consistently took their medication had a higher chance of using antidepressants during puberty. (4)
Because of this information, and the increase in use of antidepressants with age, it’s important to be aware of behavioral and emotional issues that might arise during this fragile period of time. Which leads us to the question – is there a better way to manage ADHD and its symptoms, without the use of medications? Yes there is!
Neurofeedback is one of the many areas that have been delved into in regards to being effective at managing symptoms of ADHD. This process works by acquiring information about a patient’s brain waves, which are then in turn calculated and rendered back to the patient…. essentially making it so that the patient can see their brain activity in real time. This type of feedback then allows the patient to modulate their brain activity, and correspondingly change behaviors and emotions. (5) Research has shown that this type of neurofeedback can be helpful in decreasing hyperactivity and improving short attention spans, as well as reducing impulsive actions that are often seen with ADHD. In essence, neurofeedback accesses the subconscious, “reconnecting” pathways in the brain that can create ease in areas that individuals with ADHD struggle with. Combined with awareness and conscious efforts, improvements can build upon themselves if similar or new trauma is not introduced.
Another area of natural management that is interesting to see progress in is gut health and its correlation to ADHD. We know that having a healthy gut microbiome not only improves the immune system, but also many other aspects of health. The connection between the gut and brain is irrefutable in the medical literature and those suffering from ADHD have a significantly altered microbiome. Foods that help to build up the healthy microbiome within the gut can be noted to improve symptoms of ADHD, which makes sense, since the health and wellness of the brain and corresponding moods and emotions are based directly off reactions from the health of the gut. (6)
“By avoiding certain foods I learned I was sensitive to via a food sensitivity test, I was able to generate more focus, virtually eliminate brain fog, and keep my energy levels up throughout the day.”
– Neil S.
One study in particular noted that a protein called zonulin, which is found within the intestinal tract, increases when the permeability of the gut isn’t working the way that it should, AKA “leaky gut”. Because of this increase in zonulin, children have been noted to have increased symptoms of ADHD, as well as issues with functioning properly around peers. (7) This again points us in the direction of having a healthy gut in order to help manage symptoms that affect the brain!
Although there is much research left to do, it’s interesting to note that even though there are pharmaceutical interventions that are used to help manage ADHD, there are also natural solutions out there as well – and ones that have fewer negative side effects than medications. If you have questions or would like to speak more in depth about the relationship between gut health and brain waves, please speak with your local functional medicine doctor in Boulder.
Kates N. (2005). Attention deficit disorder in adults. Management in primary care. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 51(1), 53–59.
WebMD: Ritalin.
Bar-Ilan University. (2019, March 27). Childhood methylphenidate treatment predicts antidepressant use during adolescence.
Enriquez-Geppert, S., Smit, D., Pimenta, M. G., & Arns, M. (2019). Neurofeedback as a Treatment Intervention in ADHD: Current Evidence and Practice.Current psychiatry reports, 21(6), 46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1021-4
Harrell, M. (2016). Gut health and healthy brain function in children with ADHD and ASD. Counseling Today.
Özyurt, G., Öztürk, Y., Appak, Y. Ç., Arslan, F. D., Baran, M., Karakoyun, İ., Tufan, A. E., & Pekcanlar, A. A. (2018). Increased zonulin is associated with hyperactivity and social dysfunctions in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Comprehensive psychiatry, 87, 138–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.10.006
Testimonial
I came in specifically for treatment for an ongoing battle with adult ADD. Since I was a child, my ADD had hindered me from being in the here and now and staying focused on one thing at a time. As I became older, my adult ADD continued to have a severely negative impact on my ability to focus, complete tasks, and even stay engaged during conversations. I was done with taking prescription medications like Adderall and the numerous bad side effects that came with them. I was initially drawn to Dr. Autoimmune for their neurofeedback treatment, however, after becoming educated on the close relationship between the brain and the gut, I decided to take it an extra step and go through a complete gut microbiome reset. It turned out, I was not only suffering from ADD, but also “leaky gut”. Dr. Ian and his staff educated me on how the gut is responsible for creating the majority of the neurotransmitters your brain depends upon in order to function at it’s highest level. I was put on a strict detox diet for about 45 days, then slowly began to reintroduce certain foods back into my diet. By avoiding certain foods I learned I was sensitive to via a food sensitivity test, I was able to generate more focus, virtually eliminate brain fog, and keep my energy levels up throughout the day. The diet coupled with the neurofeedback has been amazing. I began to notice a difference in the way I thought in a couple of months after treatment began. I was calmer, more aware, and above all, focused. Let me just say, you will not see results overnight. You MUST do your part and eat well and avoid the foods determined by your diet protocol. Getting adequate sleep is also key. BUT, if you stick with the program, and do as Dr Ian and his staff recommend, you WILL begin to notice significant results in the weeks and months that follow treatment. This is an ongoing journey, and I’m grateful I chose Dr. Autoimmune to lead the way
-Neil S.
An exciting new physiological reason why optimizing your sleep can dramatically improves your health
Do you struggle with sleep? Perhaps you have difficulty falling asleep at night, or you wake up throughout the night, and/or you feel chronically exhausted during the day. Or maybe you fall asleep fine and stay asleep, but force yourself to wake up early for certain obligations and therefore lower the total time you sleep per night. No matter the reason, a great amount of Americans find adequate sleep to be elusive. In fact, 40% of American get less than 7 hours of sleep while the recommended number of hours is between 7-9 hours for adults according to the National Sleep Foundation (Jones, 2019).
Why does this matter? While countless studies have shown that getting enough sleep is important for our health, earlier this year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that insufficient sleep has become a public health problem (Lichtenstein, 2015). According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, people with sleep deficiency have a greater risk of many health complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and obesity (Lichtenstein, 2015). A cumulation of research raises the concern that if a person is not getting adequate sleep, all other health practices, such as diet and exercise, potentially become irrelevant as sleep optimization may take the gold medal when talking about maximizing health.
While sleep is certainly essential to many known physiological functions, such as hormone regulation and metabolism, an increasing body of research suggests that another one of those essential functions may also include the theory of the glymphatic system (or paravascular clearance pathways), highlighting the critical role of sleep in the clearance of many brain toxins (Lliff et al, 2012).
The glymphatic system is a newly discovered pseudolymphatic system in the brain. The word glymphatic is a combination of the words “glial” and “lymphatic” as the glymphatic system is theorized to work through the utilization of glial cells to help clear the brain of waste in a way similar to the lymphatic system. Glial cells surround neurons and hold them in place, supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons, insulate one neuron from another, and destroy pathogens and remove dead neurons. The lymphatic system is part of the vascular system and an important part of the immune system, composed of a large network of lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph. Put these two systems together and there is the glymphatic system theory. Essentially, the glymphatic system is suggested to actively transport cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through brain spaces, pushing CSF into glia cells that line the paravascular space and at night, this space expands and harmful proteins and waste products are transported out of the brain (Rasmussen, 2018). Although a full and concrete understanding of the fluid dynamics has not yet been reached, there is promising research suggesting that sleep is critical for this pathway’s brain toxin clearance mechanisms. What is a consequence of poor glymphatic function? More than likely brain fog, fatigue and depression to name a few!
During sleep, the extracellular space (the space surrounding all the cells) of the brain expands, promoting toxins to be exchanged from CSF into interstitial fluid (part of the extracellular fluid, fluid between cells, Lliff et al, 2012).For example, the protein amyloid beta, which the build up of is associated with the development of Alzheimer’s, is transported out of the brain via this pathway in rodents (Lliff et al, 2012), and imaging studies have highlighted similar findings of amyloid beta accumulation during sleep deprivation in humans (Rasmussen, 2018). Furthermore, research suggests that this paravascular system may also be imparied in patients with metabolic syndrome/elevated blood sugar and ultimately may contribute to diabetes-induced dementia (Kim et al, 2018). In addition, decreased CSF pressure and volume are correlated with increasing age in humans, which likely also decreases glymphatic flow (Fleischman et al, 2012; Bothwell et al, 2019). Essentially, the increase in interstitial space during sleep is what permits this pathway to be active, as rodent studies have shown that there is reduced or no flow during wakefulness (Jessen et al, 2015).
Ultimately what this all means is that getting sufficient sleep (both time asleep and quality of sleep) is critical. From longitudinal studies, we can see that increased levels of certain toxins, like BPA, may contribute to sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (Berydoun et al., 2016), while an increase in other toxins such as urinary arsenic, phthalates, and polyfluoroakyl compounds have been correlated with more waking episodes during the night (Erden et al., 2014; Shiue, 2017)). Could this be from an overload to the glymphatic system? At the same time, better self-reported sleep has been correlated with improved health outcomes, significantly for mental health and moderately for physical and cognitive health (Gadie et al., 2017). In addition, research has demonstrated sleep’s role in a huge range of illnesses. For example, the liver plays a significant role in biotransformation, and in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), sleep disturbances and quality have been found to predict 20% of the variability in liver stiffness, suggesting that at least in a compromised liver, sleep is vital (Marin-Alejandre etal., 2019).
Furthermore, a meta-analysis also found a small but significant increase in the risk of NAFLD in patients with shorter sleep duration (Gadie et al., 2017). When research on sleep’s significance with brain health is considered in conjunction with research on sleep’s significance on whole body toxin clearing, the glymphatic system theory of sleep’s critical role in brain toxin clearing becomes increasingly promising.
For many, understanding sleep’s vital role in human health seems like the easy part, as in reality, physically practicing better sleep hygiene can be very difficult. So, what can you do to optimize your sleep? Below is a list of sleep hacks that will help you get a better not sleep, not only leaving you feeling more rejuvenated and alert throughout your days, but also dramatically affect both your mental and physical long term health.
Sleep Hygiene Hacks:
Limit blue light before bed/Wear Blue light blockers!
So many people like to watch TV before going to bed (or like scrolling through your phone) — but did you know that you could be affecting the quality of your sleep by doing that?
The blue light emitted from TV screens, laptops and even smartphones causes your brain to think that it’s daytime and that can inhibit, or at least suppress, the release of melatonin, your body’s sleep hormone.
To combat that, you can wear amber-colored glasses that can reduce blue light-induced melatonin suppression by about 60%! That means a higher likelihood of getting to sleep faster and sleeping more soundly after binging your favorite TV show before bed.
Such blue light blockers can easily be found on amazon and are not expensive.
Keep your room like a cave:
Dark
Invest in some black out curtains or a sleep mask.
Research shows that even dim light during sleep can affect your cognitive function the next day as light mimics your circadian rhythm’s response to natural sunlight, which elicits a physiological response in the body to wake you up.
Cool
When you go to sleep, your set point for body temperature – the temperature your brain is trying to achieve – goes down, aiding to induce sleep.
If you go to sleep in a cooler room, it is easier for this mild body temperature reduction to occur, and therefore easier for you to sleep.
Although it differs per individual, it is suggested to keep the temperature of your room between 65-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Quiet
Just like light can wake you up and offset your circadian rhythm, so can sound.
Anything that alters your attention elicits cortisol release and inhibits melatonin, making falling and staying asleep more difficult.
Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time.
Our bodies rely on routine and timing of those routines. Not only is sleep reliant on timing of hormones released in the body, but so are so many other physiological cues that contribute to sleep quality as well. For example cortisol. Our bodies naturally release cortisol at specific times throughout the day so that it is lowest when we are falling asleep.
If you’re throwing such rhythms out of wack by one night going to sleep early, calm and collected, and then the next staying up super late jumping on your bed, your body will have no idea when to send appropriate sleep promoting signals the following night. Getting on a schedule helps create predictability for your body systems.
This also applies to the time you wake up in the mornings, keep it the same!
Limit large meals/eating before bed
When you eat a large meal, your body immediately goes to work processing, breaking down, and digesting.
Inevitably, when your body needs to be working hard at anything, it is hard for it to simultaneously relax and be in a sleeping state.
Also, a full stomach can contribute to not being able to feel comfortably.
Keep the bedroom for sleep only/Night time routines
This helps train your mind and body for sleep.
It is suggested that making it so your bed is only used for sleep and not working, watching TV, eating, etc., will train your body to know it’s time to sleep the moment you get into bed at night.
This also comes into play with night time routines. If you have a nightly ceremony before bed (such as always brushing your teeth and washing your face and then putting on your PJs and then combing your hair), this is train your body to know it’s sleeping time!
Exercise regularly
This is both mental and physical.
Mentally, exercising makes your more tired, want to sleep, and feel like you released all the pent up energy from daily life.
Physically, hormones and other chemicals are released during and after exercising that aides in feeling more relaxed and ready to rest at the end of the day.
What happens when these things don’t work? Maybe we should look at your brain? Brain mapping is a tool that has been around for over 50 years and can map our “Delta” level, which is essentially our sleep brain wave. Brain waves reflect function of neurons and if this is elevated it may be driving insomnia! Brain mapping is a non-invasive way to dive further into the root causes and neurofeedback can actually train these pathways back into a healthier place. Better sleep usually follows so if you are lacking that energy, clarity and vigor maybe we should look at that Delta wave and see if this is a barrier to your optimal health.
Functional medicine testing like salivary cortisol can also clue us into whether stress is driving problematic sleep. These tests can look at the circadian rhythm (meaning it varies throughout the day) and help us determine where someone needs help.
We will dive further into sleep and discuss melatonin, cortisol and how stress play a major impact in our circadian rhythms in a further blog but this is something critical to our ability to get deep sleep! Stay tuned…….
These are just a few of our favorite sleep hacks, however there are plenty more out there, such as breathing exercises, meditation, neurofeedback, supplements, and more. We would love to hear some of your sleep hacks!
Here at Dr. Autoimmune, we strongly emphasize optimizing sleep and can work with each patient on an individual basis to uncover what might be behind their sleep issues and how to work towards an amazing nights sleep!
Your Boulder/Denver functional medicine doctor,
Ian Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP
References:
Lichtenstein GR. The Importance of Sleep. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2015;11(12):790
Iliff JJ, Wang M, Liao Y, et al. A paravascular pathway facilitates CSF flow through the brain parenchyma and the clearance of interstitial solutes, including amyloid ?. Sci Transl Med. 2012;4(147):147ra111. doi:1126/scitranslmed.3003748.
Rasmussen MK, Mestre H, Nedergaard M. The glymphatic pathway in neurological disorders. Lancet Neurol. 2018;17(11):1016-1024. doi:1016/S1474-4422(18)30318-1
Kim YK, Nam KI, Song J. The glymphatic system in diabetes-induced dementia. Front Neurol. 2018;9:867. doi:3389/fneur.2018.00867
Jessen NA, Munk AS, Lundgaard I, Nedergaard M. The glymphatic system: a beginner’s guide. Neurochem Res. 2015;40(12):2583-2599. doi:1007/s11064-015-1581-6
Bothwell SW, Janigro D, Patabendige A. Cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and intracranial pressure elevation in neurological diseases. Fluids Barriers CNS. 2019;16(1):9. doi:1186/s12987-019-0129-6
Beydoun HA, Beydoun MA, Jeng HA, Zonderman AB, Eid SM. Bisphenol-A and sleep adequacy among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Sleep. 2016;39(2):467-476. doi:5665/sleep.5466
Erden ES, Genc S, Motor S, et al. Investigation of serum bisphenol A, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. 2014;45(2):311-318. doi:10.1007/s12020-013-0022-z
Shiue I. Urinary arsenic, pesticides, heavy metals, phthalates, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and polyfluoroalkyl compounds are associated with sleep troubles in adults: USA NHANES, 2005-2006. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2017;24(3):3108-3116. doi:1007/s11356-016-8054-6
Gadie A, Shafto M, Leng Y, Kievit RA; Cam-CAN. How are age-related differences in sleep quality associated with health outcomes? An epidemiological investigation in a UK cohort of 2406 adults. BMJ Open. 2017;7(7):e014920. doi:1136/bmjopen-2016-014920
Marin-Alejandre BA, Abete I, Cantero I, et al. Association between sleep disturbances and liver status in obese subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a comparison with healthy controls. Nutrients. 2019;11(2):E322. doi:3390/nu11020322
PTSD and Neuro feedback
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is a type of psychiatric disorder that develops after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. It can be as vivid as war and major disasters or as subtle as a being abandoned or alone in a time of need. It can happen to anyone, at any age and it affects 3.5% of adults in the United States.
Symptoms of PTSD
Symptoms of PTSD may begin within a month after the traumatic event; however, in some cases the symptoms may take years to appear. The symptoms may cause problems in your work or social situations and also in relationships. They may also reduce your capability to do the routine daily tasks.
Symptoms fall into the following four categories:
Intrusive thoughts or memories
Symptoms under this category include the following:
Recurrent, distressing, unwanted memories and thoughts of the terrifying or traumatic event.
Flashbacks of the traumatic event or reliving the event in a way that it is happening again.
Nightmares or upsetting dreams regarding the event.
Severe physical reactions or emotional distress to something, which reminds you of that event.
Avoidance
Symptoms under this category include the following:
Avoiding places, people, objects, situations or activities that bring back distressing memories.
You may try and avoid thinking or remembering about the event.
You may resist discussing and talking regarding what happened and what your feelings are about it.
Negative feelings and thoughts
Symptoms under this category include:
You develop negative thoughts regarding yourself, other individuals and the world in general.
Hopelessness about your future.
Problems with memory such as forgetting important aspects about the past traumatic event.
Difficulty in maintaining relationships, especially close ones.
Feeling of detachment from your friends and family.
You have less interest in those activities that you enjoyed previously.
You have difficulty in experiencing or feeling positive emotions.
Feeling of emotional numbness.
You have ongoing feelings of horror, fear, guilt, shame or anger.
Reactive and Arousal symptoms
Symptoms under this category include:
You get easily frightened or startled.
You always stay on guard for any imminent danger.
You may show behavior that is self-destructive or reckless such as you may drive too fast or drink too much alcohol.
You may have trouble in sleeping.
You may have trouble in concentrating.
You may be irritable or have aggressive behavior or anger outbursts.
In children of six years of age and below, the following signs and symptoms of PTSD may also occur:
Your child may re-enact the various aspects of past traumatic or terrifying event via play.
Your child may have frightening dreams or nightmares of the event.
Physical Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD frequently co-exists with other various mental and physical health diseases ranging from heart disease to depression and among the most common physical manifestations of post traumatic stress disorder is physical or body pain.
Connection between Physical pain and PTSD
A straightforward connection between physical pain and PTSD is that certain traumas are often physical and cause immediate bodily injury and pain. Some traumas however do not cause immediate physical symptoms. They are more subtle. The emotional signs and symptoms of PTSD may also cause physical pain. Disturbances of sleep, anxiety and hyper-arousal, they all lead to physical stress and tension ultimately damaging your health. Back pain, migraines, body aches and stomach pains can stem easily from symptoms of PTSD.
To further this idea, many other issues, which co-exist with PTSD such as anxiety, depression, obesity and substance abuse, may also trigger the symptoms of physical pain.
PTSD and Neurofeedback
Many people who suffer from PTSD require professional therapy to recover from their symptoms that may be quite disabling and intense. Neurofeedback (NF) also referred to as neurotherapy or EEG biofeedback is an innovative therapy to treat PTSD. This therapy uses the capacity of the brain to change or reshape its networks. It helps by training your brain to function in a better way and research shows that it helps to relieve anxiety, sharpen attention, improve behavior and learning and enhance mood without medication.
The process of neurofeedback is simple, non-invasive and painless. By simply sitting and watching a movie, you are able to affect your brain waves through the feedback seen and heard in the dimming of the screen and sound. This training creates new, healthy brainwave patterns and allows the brain to function more efficiently and effectively.
According to a study published in the journal PLOS one, NF has been found to produce significant improvement in the symptoms of patients suffering from chronic PTSD. In another study published in the Journal Medical Psychotherapy, the effects of NF on the symptoms of combat related PTSD of Vietnam veterans were studied. The study demonstrated that NF therapy produced relief in symptoms of PTSD and provided long term prevention of relapse of PTSD! Very few interventions exist currently without psychiatric medications which provide such dramatic relief.
Conclusion
PTSD is a kind of psychiatric disorder that occurs after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. It may manifest itself as both emotional and physical symptoms. One of the most attractive aspects of neurofeedback therapy is that it does not require counseling or the painful reliving of memories, which drive symptoms.
Neurofeedback is an innovative therapy that is gaining much attention in recent times and is quite successful in relieving symptoms of PTSD.
If you or a family member suffers from PTSD please contact Dr. Autoimmune and schedule your brain map/QEEG so you can let your health soar again!
Ian Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP
Bessel A. van der Kolk, Hilary Hodgdon, Mark Gapen, Regina Musicaro, Michael K. Suvak, Ed Hamlin, Joseph Spinazzola. A Randomized Controlled Study of Neurofeedback for Chronic PTSD. PLOS One. December 2016;
Eugene G. Peniston, Paul J. Kulkosky. Alpha-Theta Brainwave Neuro-Feedback for Vietnam Veterans with Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Medical Psychotherapy. 1991; 4: 47-60.
ASD/ADD
ASD or autism spectrum disorder is a type of developmental disorder, which affects behavior and communication. Though patients suffering from autism may get diagnosed from the disorder at any age; but, it is considered a developmental disorder as its symptoms appear during the initial two years of a child’s life.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is a guide used in the diagnosis of mental disorders, states that people suffering from ASD have the following:
Difficulty with interaction and communication with other individuals
Repetitive behaviors and restricted interests
Symptoms, which hurt the ability of the person to function optimally at work, school and other walks of life
Causes of ASD
According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) at least 1 in 70 kids in the USA suffer from ASD (autism spectrum disorder), which is an alarming number.
Though, scientists suggest that aberrations in genes that act together with certain environmental factors as the causative factor of ASD; however, several studies have highlighted that neuroinflammatory processes play a more critical role in the causation of ASD. Over the last decade, intense research has been done to find out how exactly immune dysfunction alters brain function and causes autism.
According to a review published in the journal ‘Current opinion in neurology’, autoantibodies (antibodies that target tissues of your own body) targeting brain proteins have been found in both children suffering from autism and their mothers. The review further states that there is alteration in both humoral and cellular immunity in patients with autism. Moreover, in some patients with autism active inflammation in the central nervous system has been found (>60%).
Another review published in the journal ‘Immunology letters’ suggests that ASD is characterized by immune dysfunction. Symptoms of immune dysfunction present in ASD are neuroinflammation (inflammation in the nervous system), increased responses of T lymphocytes, presence of autoantibodies etc. Research is pointing at a reaction to foods in the child’s diet that may cross react with cerebellar proteins, diminishing brain development and executive function (cerebellum fires to the frontal cortex which is critical to behavioral control, mood and attention so anything generating inflammation in one area may create problems in others). These responses are associated with core symptoms of ASD including repetitive behaviors and impaired communication and poor social interactions. Hence, it can be suggested that the immune dysfunction present in ASD patients affects neurological processes and various aspects of neural development; thereby, resulting in changes in behavior and communication.
Another study published in the ‘journal of neuroinflammation’ found various biochemical compounds related to inflammation in the plasma of patients suffering from autism. These chemicals can change blood flow, impact nutrient utilization and impede “neuroplasticity”, or the process of neurons connecting and creating a healthy neuron-network.
Heavy Metal Exposure Raises the Risk of ASD
It has been found that exposure to heavy metals such as lead, copper, aluminum, cadmium and mercury at various stages of development of the child may raise the risk of ASD. Prenatal exposure to heavy metals can result in defective brain development of the fetus. Consuming fish, using aluminum cooking utensils and living nearby gasoline stations has been found to result in maternal exposure to toxins.
According to a study published in the journal ‘behavioral neurology’, environmental exposure of children to toxic heavy metals during their developmental period plays a vital role in the causation of autism. The exposure to these heavy metals may be prenatal or postnatal. Some of the possible sources of exposure to heavy metals include fertilizers, chemical products, building materials, industrial paints, fish (which has high amounts of mercury), dental fillings containing silver, and preservatives containing mercury (thiomersal) present in vaccines. Lead is present in the dirt found near roads or in paint on old houses. Children who eat paint chips or who have pica (an illness in which the child eat non-nutritious things such as paint or drywall) may get toxic levels of lead in their blood.
Females who have chronic heavy metal exposure and have accumulated high levels of heavy metals such as mercury in their body tissues and blood may pass these metals to their growing fetus or infants through breastfeeding.
Vaccinations as a Potential Source of Heavy Metal Exposure
It has been found that mercury present in the preservatives used in vaccines is also a potential source of heavy metal exposure for children. Moreover, vaccines given for measles, mumps and rubella or MMR that is given during early life is also correlated to the disorder.
Conclusion
The causative factors of autism or ASD remains controversial and elusive, but both environmental and genetic factors have been suggested. However, recent studies suggest that exposure to heavy metals during key phases of development of a child may play a vital role in the causation of ASD. Moreover, autism is a neuroinflammatory condition and not a genetic aberration, which results from immune dysfunction resulting from environmental factors such as heavy metal exposure. This is the most important point as many so called “Autism advocacy groups” would like to normalize the behavior found in kids suffering with autistic spectrum. There is no doubt many children grow into healthy, productive adults even with Autism but for others this condition rules their life and their parents’ lives. Instead of saying we have a new “normal”, functional medicine and functional neurology looks to the reasons why someone developed incorrectly, what inflammatory triggers they have and how we can rehabilitate the brain to improve function and create less dependence on medication.
If you are curious about how we can provide a deeper level of natural support to your child then please join us for our ADD/ADHD & Autistic spectrum lecture at Dr. Autoimmune in North Boulder this Wednesday, August 1 @ 6:00PM. Limited seating available so RSVP is required!
Looking forward to providing you with the info to let your family’s health soar!
Ian Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP References
Farida El Baz Mohamed, Eman Ahmed Zaky, Adel Bassuoni El-Sayed, Reham Mohammed Elhossieny, Sally Soliman Zahra, Waleed Salah Eldin, Walaa Yousef, Youssef, Rania Abdelmgeed Khaled, Azza Mohamed Youssef. Assessment of Hair Aluminum, Lead, and Mercury in a sample of autistic Egyptian Children: Environmental Risk Factors of Heavy Metals in Autism. Behavioral Neurology. October 2015; 2015: 545674.
Afaf El-Ansary, Laila Al-Ayadhi. Neuroinflammation in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of neuroinflammation. 2012; 9: 265.
Gamakaranage C. Heavy Metals and Autism. Journal of Heavy Metal Toxicity and Diseases. September 2016; 1:3.
Charlotte Madore, Quentin Leyrolle, Chloe Lacabanne, Anouk Benmamar-Badel, Corinne Joffre, Agnes Nadjar, Sophie Laye. Neuroinflammation in Autism: Plausible Role of Maternal Inflammation, Dietary Omega 3 and Microbiota. Neural Plasticity. September 2016; 2016.
Jennifer Mead, Paul Ashwood. Evidence supporting an altered immune response in ASD. Immunology letters. January 2015; 163(1): 49-55.
Paula Goines, Judy Van de Water. The Immune System’s Role in the Biology of Autism. Current Opinion in Neurology. April 2010; 23(2): 111–117.
Are you looking for an individualized program that will set your child up for success next school year? Dr. Autoimmune’s Summer Brain Camp is just that!
Unlike other camps, ours is individualized to meet your child’s specific needs and the times are flexible to meet your schedule! The brain is highly complex and that’s why we’ve created a program to identify key areas of weakness and use specific tools to develop those areas. The results can be life changing!
We use a three-fold methodology to determine the “weak links” that may be hindering your child from reaching their highest potential. Then we create a customized plan to target your child’s specific needs causing outstanding results! The three areas are: Lab Testing, Brain Mapping, and Functional Neurology. By combining these three areas, we get a comprehensive picture of how your child’s brain is functioning.
1) Lab tests may offer great insight into your child’s health. They look at imbalances in nutritional status, inflammation, and food sensitivities that could trigger the brain. When anyone has inflammation in the gut or doesn’t have enough nutrients it can slow or impede normal function. This could manifest as sensory integration problems, fatigue, mood swings, or disorganized attention! Research is pointing to our microbiome as one of the most common triggers for emotional health. A child may develop a spectrum condition when the microbiome is not in balance.
2) Brain Mapping (QEEG): Brain mapping is a unique way to literally capture information coming from neurons and shows how brain waves are functioning. This has been used for close to 40 years to determine imbalances in brain waves and rehabilitate them into healthy ranges using neurofeedback. Since children’s brains are quite plastic, meaning they accept information and create change easily, neurofeedback is a safe and effective way to exercise your child’s brain to optimal health. Your results are compared to healthy normal values and displayed as a picture to analyze. In the picture below you will notice Delta is elevated (red/yellow) which could cause fogginess or problems with waking up refreshed. High Theta can cause problems with concentration and staying on task. The elevated Alpha may be causing anxiety or just make someone more emotional while lower Beta can affect executive function like managing complex tasks and even learning! As the brain waves become more balanced, it is very common to notice symptoms like attention, mood swings, poor sleep, anxiety, and poor motivation improving – all without medication.
3) Functional neurology: Part of our initial work up with clients is performing a neurologic exam. You can learn an incredible amount by testing areas in the brain like the frontal lobe (mood, drive, motivation), Parietal lobe (association, dyslexia tendencies, coordination), and cerebellum (eye movements, accuracy and coordination). We perform about 50-60 individual tests that look into these areas and determine if the brain has developed properly. Primitive reflexes are at the root of our testing. Primitive reflexes are present in newborns to initiate movement, which develops the brain. Without them, the brain does not develop completely, and if they last too long, it is also an indication of gaps in brain development. Think of these gaps like holes in a foundation. Just as a home built on a foundation with holes is not structurally sound, a brain with primitive reflexes present is not able to fully mature. The result is learning difficulties, attention and focus problems, behavioral issues, and sensory processing issues. Fortunately, there are exercises, games, and bodywork that address the weaknesses and allow the brain to fully develop. This information is explained to you in detail and we incorporate specific home based exercises that can create new connections and improved brain function!
Whatever your goal or challenge for your child we are here to help. Brain Camp can be a great way to finally get at those challenges you were to busy to deal with during the school year! We understand just how busy it gets because we have kids to! We are opening office hours Fri/Sat to accommodate your busy schedules and we can create a team to help your child achieve optimal brain health!
For a limited time we’re offering a comprehensive initial consultation which includes 1.) Neurologic Examination 2.) Brain Map 3.) Report of Findings AND 4.) 2 Trail Neurofeedback Sessions for just $95 ($1,275 value)! We are confident we can shed light on your child’s health and help their brain soar to a new height!
Call 303.882.8447 to schedule your initial appointment!
We understand the pain involved with living with Anxiety and/or Depression and have successfully taken on the root causes of these conditions and provided relief for hundreds of Colorado residents.
If you’re struggling with one or both of these conditions please take the time to watch the latest webinar covering Dr. Autoimmune’s Functional Medicine approach to taking on Anxiety and/or Depression featuring Dr. Ian Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP.
Scroll down for both patient testimonies AND learn more about one of the possible causes of Anxiety/Depression with “The way to heal the mind is to heal the whole body” by Dr. Ian Hollaman DC.
Register below and you will automatically be taken to our Anxiety/Depression webinar hosted by Dr. Ian Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP.
This is a NO COST, NO OBLIGATION, FREE WEBINAR! Participants will also be sent our Balance Your Brain: Overcome Anxiety and/or Depression handout and the webinar link incase you missed something. Anyone who watches Dr. Ian’s webinar will also be invited to enjoy exclusive, New Patient pricing.
We appreciate your time and looking forward to letting your health soar!
The way to heal the mind is to heal the whole body – by Dr. Ian Hollaman DC, MSc, IFMCP
“I feel like this depression is a never ending story. Will I ever get better and feel good, happy and healthy again? I can’t take this anymore. It keeps pulling me down into the blackness and I wish with all my heart I could take it away. I’m tired, so tired of this constant battle. I want to feel like me again. I used to be so happy. I used to sleep through the night and feel energetic all day. I didn’t use to live with all this pain”. Do you feel depressed? You are not alone! What if you could . . .
address the actual cause of your depression or anxiety Safely and Effectively?
Take control of your life?
Transform your body, your brain, and your experience with an Effective, Integrative, Functional medicine approach to Healing?
It’s hard to face illness, pain, and fear. But it IS possible to move through it and transform yourself. It takes courage and commitment as well as powerful knowledge, support, and tools from an expert. Depression isn’t the root disease itself. It’s the outward expression of imbalance in the body, the symptom. It’s the body alerting you to the fact that something is wrong.
Depression is not simple, there are many complex factors involved.
Both anxiety and depression, along with other mood and neuropsychiatric disorders, such anxiety, sleep disorders, eating disorders, or bipolar disorder generally result from a complex interplay of factors. These may include a combination of nutritional, physical, environmental, social and emotional factors, affecting your genetic tendencies and brain biochemistry (meaning that your neurotransmitters, or the chemical messengers within your brain, can be affected by these key components of well-being). You can think of anxiety and depression as disruptions in brain health.
Gut health – heal your gut to heal your mind.
The brain-gut connection.
Did you know we have a second brain? The second one, called our enteric nervous system, consists of some 100 million neurons that are embedded in the walls of our gut. There are incredibly intricate interconnections between the brain and the gut and the vagus nerve (the nerve responsible for a lot of your thinking and brain function) connected from the top of your stomach, all the way up to your brain. The “brain-gut” connection is essentially what it sounds like: Your gut and brain are directly linked. As important as the neurons in the gut is the kind of bacteria and other microbes collectively known as our microbiome. They do many important things like break down our food, fight off infection, and boost our immune system and also play a very important role in our mental health. In addition, about 95% of your serotonin (“feel good” brain chemical) is produced in your gastrointestinal tract. When your gut is unhappy, stressed, inflamed…your brain is unhappy or stressed. Inflammation in your gut sends signals to your brain, causing similar responses such as inflammation, stress, anxiety, depression and a host of other mental health issues.
“By improving the microbiome we can actually see positive changes in mood, cognitive function, and executive function,”
A stronger microbiome means less inflammation, which means reduced risk of inflammatory brain diseases and disorders like Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
“Leaky gut” is linked to mental health disorders.
Our gut takes a hit over time when we eat processed foods, eat foods we are allergic to, get overloaded with environmental toxins, medications, and antibiotics. This leads to a wear and tear on our gut linings, which then leads to a “leaky gut”
Leading to digestive issues (from constipation, gas and bloating to allergies, brain fog, and skin breakouts)… Which then leads to inflammation in the body (as food particles leak into our bloodstream—outside the digestive tract). Our body sees food in the bloodstream as “outside invaders” and ends up attacking itself (causing an inflammatory response, which impacts our whole body—brain included).
This constant state of stress causes chronic inflammation; the body reacts to the stress as a type of infection and tries to overcome it. Because inflammation is at the root of many diseases, this exposure to prolonged stress can have serious consequences for your health, ranging from high blood pressure to autoimmune disorders to chronic depression and mental health disorders.
Neurofeedback – balancing brain wave energy
Traditionally, depression has been treated with therapy and medication, both of which have limitations, and medications can have significant side effects.
Even with medication, countless depression sufferers continue to struggle. Medications don’t teach the brain how to get out of the unhealthy brain pattern of depression.
Depression is neurological, not psychological.
The left frontal area of the brain is associated with positive emotions and motivation and a desire to be involved with other people. The right frontal area of the brain is more associated with worry, depression, and fear, accompanied by the motivation to withdraw from and avoid other people and different environments. When there is more slow brainwave activity in the left frontal area, this part of the brain is more inactive and the right frontal area is more dominant. Such a person is predisposed to become depressed more easily, to withdraw from other people, and to be anxious. Neurofeedback training works on the root of the problem, altering the brain patterns affiliated with depression. Neurofeedback can restore healthy brain wave patterns and bring lasting brain changes. It is non-invasive and produces no undesirable side effects making neurofeedback a powerful tool.
We first measure brain function with a quantitative EEG brain map, so that you can see the reason in your brain for your mood problems. The QEEG will show areas of the brain where there is too little or too much activity.
Hundreds of studies have been done investigating EEG activity and many important areas of our daily life functioning, including our attention, mood, anxiety, social functioning, and learning and thinking skills. EEG can be used to identify the basis in the brain for attention deficits and the distinct EEG patterns that have been identified for depression.
Once we determine the source of the problem, we target that area for change through neurofeedback brain training. This allows you to reshape your brain, not just mask your symptoms. Neurofeedback training will stabilize your depressed mood and other symptoms which keep you depressed like insomnia and anxiety.
Those with depression often notice improvement after only a few sessions, but for the brain to fully learn to make healthier patterns consistently, a number of brain training sessions are required. With sufficient practice, the brain learns to make these healthy patterns on its own and regulate mood independently.
Neurofeedback can help depression sufferers get their lives back. Your brain changes when you are depressed and neurofeedback can help it relearn healthier patterns, giving those who suffer from depression a way out of their suffering.
Neurofeedback is able to make a change to the source of depression symptoms within the brain and central nervous system.
Neurofeedback training for Depression is very promising because it can not only relieve the symptoms of Depression but can also modify the brain’s biological predisposition for becoming depressed by reversing the frontal brain wave asymmetry that predisposes you to depression and help you regain control of your life. This complex venture is designed to help support your health and healing so you can feel better, energized and invigorated, calmer, and at peace.
Capable, experienced guidance makes all the difference in helping you reach a place of health and happiness faster, with superior and lasting results.
Because every person has a unique set of challenges, at Dr. Autoimmune we support you with a creative and effective individualized approach. Dr. Ian Hollaman has developed a unique, effective, non-drug approach to helping people with depression and anxiety. His program incorporates Functional Medicine, Functional Neurology, Nutrition, Brain Mapping, Neurofeedback and customized Chiropractic care.
Our role at Dr. Autoimmune is to provide support, knowledge, tools, and strategies that directly address the root cause of all your mental and physical challenges in order to enhance and encourage a positive transformation. We can get to the root cause of your depression by using a Comprehensive Functional Medicine Approach. This and more is possible!
Depression/Anxiety Symptoms checklist
• Prolonged sadness, feeling overwhelmed/hopeless, • Loss of interest in activities, social interaction, pleasure • Irritability, easily frustrated, angered, quick to tears • Changes in sleep – insomnia, racing thoughts keeping you awake • Weight gain or weight loss, loss of appetite, emotional overeating • Digestive problems – nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting • Brain fog – Trouble thinking, concentrating and making decisions • Unexplained aches and pains, headaches, rashes • Chronic fatigue, lack of energy • Excessive guilt and feeling worthless, ruminating thoughts
“I feel like this depression is a never ending story. Will I ever get better and feel good, happy and healthy again? I can’t take this anymore. It keeps pulling me down into the blackness and I wish with all my heart I could take it away. I’m tired, so tired of this constant battle. I want to feel like me again. I used to be so happy. I used to sleep through the night and feel energetic all day. I didn’t use to live with all this pain”.
Do you feel depressed? You are not alone!
What if you could . . .
address the actual cause of your depression or anxiety Safely and Effectively?
Take control of your life?
Transform your body, your brain, and your experience with an Effective, Integrative, Functional medicine approach to Healing?
It’s hard to face illness, pain, and fear. But it IS possible to move through it and transform yourself. It takes courage and commitment as well as powerful knowledge, support, and tools from an expert.
Depression isn’t the root disease itself. It’s the outward expression of imbalance in the body- the symptom. It’s the body alerting you to the fact that something is wrong.
Depression is not simple, there are many complex factors involved.
Both anxiety and depression, along with other mood and neuropsychiatric disorders, such anxiety, sleep disorders, eating disorders, or bipolar disorder generally result from a complex interplay of factors. These may include a combination of nutritional, physical, environmental, social and emotional factors, affecting your genetic tendencies and brain biochemistry (meaning that your neurotransmitters, or the chemical messengers within your brain, can be affected by these key components of well-being). You can think of anxiety and depression as disruptions in brain health.
Gut health – heal your gut to heal your mind.
The brain-gut connection.
Did you know we have a second brain? The second one, called our enteric nervous system, consists of some 100 million neurons that are embedded in the walls of our gut. There are incredibly intricate interconnections between the brain and the gut and the vagus nerve (the nerve responsible for a lot of your thinking and brain function) connected from the top of your stomach, all the way up to your brain.
The “brain-gut” connection is essentially what it sounds like: Your gut and brain are directly linked. As important as the neurons in the gut is the kind of bacteria and other microbes collectively known as our microbiome. They do many important things like break down our food, fight off infection, and boost our immune system and also play a very important role in our mental health. In addition, about 95% of your serotonin (“feel good” brain chemical) is produced in your gastrointestinal tract.
When your gut is unhappy, stressed, inflamed…your brain is unhappy or stressed. Inflammation in your gut sends signals to your brain, causing similar responses such as inflammation, stress, anxiety, depression and a host of other mental health issues.
“By improving the microbiome we can actually see positive changes in mood, cognitive function, and executive function,”
A stronger microbiome means less inflammation, which means reduced risk of inflammatory brain diseases and disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
“Leaky gut” is linked to mental health disorders.
Our gut takes a hit over time when we eat processed foods, eat foods we are allergic to, get overloaded with environmental toxins, medications, and antibiotics. This leads to a wear and tear on our gut linings, which then leads to a “leaky gut”
Leading to digestive issues (from constipation, gas and bloating to allergies, brain fog, and skin breakouts)… Which then leads to inflammation in the body (as food particles leak into our bloodstream—outside the digestive tract). Our body sees food in the bloodstream as “outside invaders” and ends up attacking itself (causing an inflammatory response, which impacts our whole body—brain included).
This constant state of stress causes chronic inflammation; the body reacts to the stress as a type of infection and tries to overcome it. Because inflammation is at the root of many diseases, this exposure to prolonged stress can have serious consequences for your health, ranging from high blood pressure to autoimmune disorders to chronic depression and mental health disorders.
Neurofeedback – balancing brain wave energy
Traditionally, depression has been treated with therapy and medication, both of which have limitations, and medications can have significant side effects.
Even with medication, countless depression sufferers continue to struggle. Medications don’t teach the brain how to get out of the unhealthy brain pattern of depression.
Depression is neurological, not psychological.
The left frontal area of the brain is associated with positive emotions and motivation and a desire to be involved with other people. The right frontal area of the brain is more associated with worry, depression, and fear, accompanied by the motivation to withdraw from and avoid other people and different environments. When there is more slow brainwave activity in the left frontal area, this part of the brain is more inactive and the right frontal area is more dominant. Such a person is predisposed to become depressed more easily, to withdraw from other people, and to be anxious. Neurofeedback training works on the root of the problem, altering the brain patterns affiliated with depression. Neurofeedback can restore healthy brain wave patterns and bring lasting brain changes. It is non-invasive and produces no undesirable side effects making neurofeedback a powerful tool.
We first measure brain function with a quantitative EEG brain map, so that you can see the reason in your brain for your mood problems. The QEEG will show areas of the brain where there is too little or too much activity. Hundreds of studies have been done investigating EEG activity and many important areas of our daily life functioning, including our attention, mood, anxiety, social functioning, and learning and thinking skills. EEG can be used to identify the basis in the brain for attention deficits and the distinct EEG patterns that have been identified for depression.
Once we determine the source of the problem, we target that area for change through neurofeedback brain training. This allows you to reshape your brain, not just mask your symptoms.
Neurofeedback training will stabilize your depressed mood and other symptoms which keep you depressed like insomnia and anxiety.
Those with depression often notice improvement after only a few sessions, but for the brain to fully learn to make healthier patterns consistently, a number of brain training sessions are required. With sufficient practice, the brain learns to make these healthy patterns on its own and regulate mood independently.
Neurofeedback can help depression sufferers get their lives back. Your brain changes when you are depressed and neurofeedback can help it relearn healthier patterns, giving those who suffer from depression a way out of their suffering.
Neurofeedback is able to make a change to the source of depression symptoms within the brain and central nervous system.
Neurofeedback training for Depression is very promising because it can not only relieve the symptoms of Depression but can also modify the brain’s biological predisposition for becoming depressed by reversing the frontal brain wave asymmetry that predisposes you to depression and help you regain control of your life. This complex venture is designed to help support your health and healing so you can feel better, energized and invigorated, calmer, and at peace.
Capable, experienced guidance makes all the difference in helping you reach a place of health and happiness faster, with superior and lasting results.
Because every person has a unique set of challenges, at Red Tail Wellness we support you with a creative and effective individualized approach. Dr. Ian Hollaman has developed a unique, effective, non-drug approach to helping people with depression and anxiety. His program incorporates Functional Medicine, Functional Neurology, Nutrition, Brain Mapping, Neurofeedback and customized Chiropractic care.
Our role at Dr. Autoimmune is to provide support, knowledge, tools, and strategies that directly address the root cause of all your mental and physical challenges in order to enhance and encourage a positive transformation. We can get to the root cause of your depression by using a Comprehensive Functional Medicine Approach. This and more is possible!
Depression/Anxiety Symptoms checklist
• Prolonged sadness, feeling overwhelmed/hopeless, • Loss of interest in activities, social interaction, pleasure • Irritability, easily frustrated, angered, quick to tears • Changes in sleep – insomnia, racing thoughts keeping you awake • Weight gain or weight loss, loss of appetite, emotional overeating • Digestive problems – nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting • Brain fog – Trouble thinking, concentrating and making decisions • Unexplained aches and pains, headaches, rashes • Chronic fatigue, lack of energy • Excessive guilt and feeling worthless, ruminating thoughts
Join us Thursday, July 27th at 6pm
CALL (303) 882-8447 to reserve your seat or use the form below.
Attendees to this lecture will also be invited to enjoy their first Brain Mapping, 2 Neurofeedback sessions, and a Report Of Findings for just $90! (regular price $750)
ADHD (otherwise known as attention deficit disorder) is a non-discriminatory disorder affecting people of every age, gender, IQ, religious and socio-economic background.(1) If you have children who you suspect have atypical neuro behavior, there’s a large chance they inherited from you (most commonly the mother). ADHD, AD/HD, and ADD all refer to the same disorder. The only difference is that some people have hyperactivity and some people don’t. (1)
ADHD affects anywhere between 3-6% of the adult population, and is one of the top psychiatric illnesses noted to cause interference with daily activities and overall functioning. This disease can be noticed as early as the age of 7 in children, and up to 70% of these kids can have continuing problems as they get older. (2) Think about your own childhood struggles, and see if you can find patterns and behaviors that affected your progress or success.
“As I became older, my adult ADD continued to have a severely negative impact on my ability to focus, complete tasks, and even stay engaged during conversations.”
-Neil S.
If ADHD isn’t addressed early in life, issues such as drug problems, dropping out of school, issues with jobs/careers, and even time in prison could be potential outcomes for adults living with this condition. However, it can be tricky to diagnose this disease, since half of people that have ADHD also have another similar corresponding mental illness, such as anxiety or mood disorders, which can make it difficult to narrow down the ADHD diagnosis. (2)
Some of the symptoms and behaviors that typically appear with ADHD are:
Impulsiveness
Sensory dysfunction
Restlessness, inability to sit still for any length of time
Anxiety/depression
Unreliable mood swings
Unable to concentrate fully at given tasks or conversations
Easily distracted
Makes careless mistakes or lacks attention to detail
Avoids tasks that require sustained mental effort
Hyperfocus
Blurts out answers or excessive talking
Hot temper/quick fuse
Very impatient
Issues with self-confidence and self-esteem
Gets bored easily
Sleep restlessness, active mind
Currently, there are several ways that management of ADHD can be made possible, but this will be on a case by case basis. Some of the more natural management patterns include self-esteem enhancement activities, proper structure of daily living, and goal setting, especially for those who don’t notice a huge disruption in day to day activities or interruption from family/career/etc. However, there is another path of symptom management that many choose, and that is medication. (2)
“I was done with taking prescription medications like Adderall and the numerous bad side effects that came with them.”
– Neil S.
Unfortunately, the side effects of the medications on the market today to help with ADHD can have some adverse reactions; one popular medication, known as Ritalin, can lead to headaches, appetite loss, issues with sleeping, and anxiety/nervousness, just to name a few. (3) This is just one of the many stimulants available to patients suffering with ADHD, although antidepressants are utilized as well. Both of these options alter substances within the brain, and can have differing side effects for each person.
In particular, research has been done on those patients that have been using stimulants like Ritalin for extended periods of time, in order to note long term usage effects. Over time, studies have shown that taking this type of medication consistently can decrease the occurrence of depression as the patient ages; however, an updated study performed over the course of twelve years (and observing over 6500 children) noted that constant use of these stimulant drugs can cause a correspondingly large increase in the use of antidepressants during puberty. (4)
Research for this particular study began with children ranging from six to eight years old, who were prescribed a stimulant like Ritalin in order to manage symptoms from ADHD. These children – and their corresponding medicine intake over the years – were recorded until they reached twelve years of age. After this span of time, researchers noted that children who consistently took their medication had a higher chance of using antidepressants during puberty. (4)
Because of this information, and the increase in use of antidepressants with age, it’s important to be aware of behavioral and emotional issues that might arise during this fragile period of time. Which leads us to the question – is there a better way to manage ADHD and its symptoms, without the use of medications? Yes there is!
Neurofeedback is one of the many areas that have been delved into in regards to being effective at managing symptoms of ADHD. This process works by acquiring information about a patient’s brain waves, which are then in turn calculated and rendered back to the patient…. essentially making it so that the patient can see their brain activity in real time. This type of feedback then allows the patient to modulate their brain activity, and correspondingly change behaviors and emotions. (5) Research has shown that this type of neurofeedback can be helpful in decreasing hyperactivity and improving short attention spans, as well as reducing impulsive actions that are often seen with ADHD. In essence, neurofeedback accesses the subconscious, “reconnecting” pathways in the brain that can create ease in areas that individuals with ADHD struggle with. Combined with awareness and conscious efforts, improvements can build upon themselves if similar or new trauma is not introduced.
Another area of natural management that is interesting to see progress in is gut health and its correlation to ADHD. We know that having a healthy gut microbiome not only improves the immune system, but also many other aspects of health. The connection between the gut and brain is irrefutable in the medical literature and those suffering from ADHD have a significantly altered microbiome. Foods that help to build up the healthy microbiome within the gut can be noted to improve symptoms of ADHD, which makes sense, since the health and wellness of the brain and corresponding moods and emotions are based directly off reactions from the health of the gut. (6)
“By avoiding certain foods I learned I was sensitive to via a food sensitivity test, I was able to generate more focus, virtually eliminate brain fog, and keep my energy levels up throughout the day.”
– Neil S.
One study in particular noted that a protein called zonulin, which is found within the intestinal tract, increases when the permeability of the gut isn’t working the way that it should, AKA “leaky gut”. Because of this increase in zonulin, children have been noted to have increased symptoms of ADHD, as well as issues with functioning properly around peers. (7) This again points us in the direction of having a healthy gut in order to help manage symptoms that affect the brain!
Although there is much research left to do, it’s interesting to note that even though there are pharmaceutical interventions that are used to help manage ADHD, there are also natural solutions out there as well – and ones that have fewer negative side effects than medications. If you have questions or would like to speak more in depth about the relationship between gut health and brain waves, please speak with your local functional medicine doctor in Boulder.
Kates N. (2005). Attention deficit disorder in adults. Management in primary care. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 51(1), 53–59.
WebMD: Ritalin.
Bar-Ilan University. (2019, March 27). Childhood methylphenidate treatment predicts antidepressant use during adolescence.
Enriquez-Geppert, S., Smit, D., Pimenta, M. G., & Arns, M. (2019). Neurofeedback as a Treatment Intervention in ADHD: Current Evidence and Practice.Current psychiatry reports, 21(6), 46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1021-4
Harrell, M. (2016). Gut health and healthy brain function in children with ADHD and ASD. Counseling Today.
Özyurt, G., Öztürk, Y., Appak, Y. Ç., Arslan, F. D., Baran, M., Karakoyun, İ., Tufan, A. E., & Pekcanlar, A. A. (2018). Increased zonulin is associated with hyperactivity and social dysfunctions in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Comprehensive psychiatry, 87, 138–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.10.006
Testimonial
I came in specifically for treatment for an ongoing battle with adult ADD. Since I was a child, my ADD had hindered me from being in the here and now and staying focused on one thing at a time. As I became older, my adult ADD continued to have a severely negative impact on my ability to focus, complete tasks, and even stay engaged during conversations. I was done with taking prescription medications like Adderall and the numerous bad side effects that came with them. I was initially drawn to Dr. Autoimmune for their neurofeedback treatment, however, after becoming educated on the close relationship between the brain and the gut, I decided to take it an extra step and go through a complete gut microbiome reset. It turned out, I was not only suffering from ADD, but also “leaky gut”. Dr. Ian and his staff educated me on how the gut is responsible for creating the majority of the neurotransmitters your brain depends upon in order to function at it’s highest level. I was put on a strict detox diet for about 45 days, then slowly began to reintroduce certain foods back into my diet. By avoiding certain foods I learned I was sensitive to via a food sensitivity test, I was able to generate more focus, virtually eliminate brain fog, and keep my energy levels up throughout the day. The diet coupled with the neurofeedback has been amazing. I began to notice a difference in the way I thought in a couple of months after treatment began. I was calmer, more aware, and above all, focused. Let me just say, you will not see results overnight. You MUST do your part and eat well and avoid the foods determined by your diet protocol. Getting adequate sleep is also key. BUT, if you stick with the program, and do as Dr Ian and his staff recommend, you WILL begin to notice significant results in the weeks and months that follow treatment. This is an ongoing journey, and I’m grateful I chose Dr. Autoimmune to lead the way
An exciting new physiological reason why optimizing your sleep can dramatically improves your health
Do you struggle with sleep? Perhaps you have difficulty falling asleep at night, or you wake up throughout the night, and/or you feel chronically exhausted during the day. Or maybe you fall asleep fine and stay asleep, but force yourself to wake up early for certain obligations and therefore lower the total time you sleep per night. No matter the reason, a great amount of Americans find adequate sleep to be elusive. In fact, 40% of American get less than 7 hours of sleep while the recommended number of hours is between 7-9 hours for adults according to the National Sleep Foundation (Jones, 2019).
Why does this matter? While countless studies have shown that getting enough sleep is important for our health, earlier this year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that insufficient sleep has become a public health problem (Lichtenstein, 2015). According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, people with sleep deficiency have a greater risk of many health complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and obesity (Lichtenstein, 2015). A cumulation of research raises the concern that if a person is not getting adequate sleep, all other health practices, such as diet and exercise, potentially become irrelevant as sleep optimization may take the gold medal when talking about maximizing health.
While sleep is certainly essential to many known physiological functions, such as hormone regulation and metabolism, an increasing body of research suggests that another one of those essential functions may also include the theory of the glymphatic system (or paravascular clearance pathways), highlighting the critical role of sleep in the clearance of many brain toxins (Lliff et al, 2012).
The glymphatic system is a newly discovered pseudolymphatic system in the brain. The word glymphatic is a combination of the words “glial” and “lymphatic” as the glymphatic system is theorized to work through the utilization of glial cells to help clear the brain of waste in a way similar to the lymphatic system. Glial cells surround neurons and hold them in place, supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons, insulate one neuron from another, and destroy pathogens and remove dead neurons. The lymphatic system is part of the vascular system and an important part of the immune system, composed of a large network of lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph. Put these two systems together and there is the glymphatic system theory. Essentially, the glymphatic system is suggested to actively transport cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through brain spaces, pushing CSF into glia cells that line the paravascular space and at night, this space expands and harmful proteins and waste products are transported out of the brain (Rasmussen, 2018). Although a full and concrete understanding of the fluid dynamics has not yet been reached, there is promising research suggesting that sleep is critical for this pathway’s brain toxin clearance mechanisms. What is a consequence of poor glymphatic function? More than likely brain fog, fatigue and depression to name a few!
During sleep, the extracellular space (the space surrounding all the cells) of the brain expands, promoting toxins to be exchanged from CSF into interstitial fluid (part of the extracellular fluid, fluid between cells, Lliff et al, 2012).For example, the protein amyloid beta, which the build up of is associated with the development of Alzheimer’s, is transported out of the brain via this pathway in rodents (Lliff et al, 2012), and imaging studies have highlighted similar findings of amyloid beta accumulation during sleep deprivation in humans (Rasmussen, 2018). Furthermore, research suggests that this paravascular system may also be imparied in patients with metabolic syndrome/elevated blood sugar and ultimately may contribute to diabetes-induced dementia (Kim et al, 2018). In addition, decreased CSF pressure and volume are correlated with increasing age in humans, which likely also decreases glymphatic flow (Fleischman et al, 2012; Bothwell et al, 2019). Essentially, the increase in interstitial space during sleep is what permits this pathway to be active, as rodent studies have shown that there is reduced or no flow during wakefulness (Jessen et al, 2015).
Ultimately what this all means is that getting sufficient sleep (both time asleep and quality of sleep) is critical. From longitudinal studies, we can see that increased levels of certain toxins, like BPA, may contribute to sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (Berydoun et al., 2016), while an increase in other toxins such as urinary arsenic, phthalates, and polyfluoroakyl compounds have been correlated with more waking episodes during the night (Erden et al., 2014; Shiue, 2017)). Could this be from an overload to the glymphatic system? At the same time, better self-reported sleep has been correlated with improved health outcomes, significantly for mental health and moderately for physical and cognitive health (Gadie et al., 2017). In addition, research has demonstrated sleep’s role in a huge range of illnesses. For example, the liver plays a significant role in biotransformation, and in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), sleep disturbances and quality have been found to predict 20% of the variability in liver stiffness, suggesting that at least in a compromised liver, sleep is vital (Marin-Alejandre etal., 2019).
Furthermore, a meta-analysis also found a small but significant increase in the risk of NAFLD in patients with shorter sleep duration (Gadie et al., 2017). When research on sleep’s significance with brain health is considered in conjunction with research on sleep’s significance on whole body toxin clearing, the glymphatic system theory of sleep’s critical role in brain toxin clearing becomes increasingly promising.
For many, understanding sleep’s vital role in human health seems like the easy part, as in reality, physically practicing better sleep hygiene can be very difficult. So, what can you do to optimize your sleep? Below is a list of sleep hacks that will help you get a better not sleep, not only leaving you feeling more rejuvenated and alert throughout your days, but also dramatically affect both your mental and physical long term health.
Sleep Hygiene Hacks:
Limit blue light before bed/Wear Blue light blockers!
So many people like to watch TV before going to bed (or like scrolling through your phone) — but did you know that you could be affecting the quality of your sleep by doing that?
The blue light emitted from TV screens, laptops and even smartphones causes your brain to think that it’s daytime and that can inhibit, or at least suppress, the release of melatonin, your body’s sleep hormone.
To combat that, you can wear amber-colored glasses that can reduce blue light-induced melatonin suppression by about 60%! That means a higher likelihood of getting to sleep faster and sleeping more soundly after binging your favorite TV show before bed.
Such blue light blockers can easily be found on amazon and are not expensive.
Keep your room like a cave:
Dark
Invest in some black out curtains or a sleep mask.
Research shows that even dim light during sleep can affect your cognitive function the next day as light mimics your circadian rhythm’s response to natural sunlight, which elicits a physiological response in the body to wake you up.
Cool
When you go to sleep, your set point for body temperature – the temperature your brain is trying to achieve – goes down, aiding to induce sleep.
If you go to sleep in a cooler room, it is easier for this mild body temperature reduction to occur, and therefore easier for you to sleep.
Although it differs per individual, it is suggested to keep the temperature of your room between 65-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Quiet
Just like light can wake you up and offset your circadian rhythm, so can sound.
Anything that alters your attention elicits cortisol release and inhibits melatonin, making falling and staying asleep more difficult.
Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time.
Our bodies rely on routine and timing of those routines. Not only is sleep reliant on timing of hormones released in the body, but so are so many other physiological cues that contribute to sleep quality as well. For example cortisol. Our bodies naturally release cortisol at specific times throughout the day so that it is lowest when we are falling asleep.
If you’re throwing such rhythms out of wack by one night going to sleep early, calm and collected, and then the next staying up super late jumping on your bed, your body will have no idea when to send appropriate sleep promoting signals the following night. Getting on a schedule helps create predictability for your body systems.
This also applies to the time you wake up in the mornings, keep it the same!
Limit large meals/eating before bed
When you eat a large meal, your body immediately goes to work processing, breaking down, and digesting.
Inevitably, when your body needs to be working hard at anything, it is hard for it to simultaneously relax and be in a sleeping state.
Also, a full stomach can contribute to not being able to feel comfortably.
Keep the bedroom for sleep only/Night time routines
This helps train your mind and body for sleep.
It is suggested that making it so your bed is only used for sleep and not working, watching TV, eating, etc., will train your body to know it’s time to sleep the moment you get into bed at night.
This also comes into play with night time routines. If you have a nightly ceremony before bed (such as always brushing your teeth and washing your face and then putting on your PJs and then combing your hair), this is train your body to know it’s sleeping time!
Exercise regularly
This is both mental and physical.
Mentally, exercising makes your more tired, want to sleep, and feel like you released all the pent up energy from daily life.
Physically, hormones and other chemicals are released during and after exercising that aides in feeling more relaxed and ready to rest at the end of the day.
What happens when these things don’t work? Maybe we should look at your brain? Brain mapping is a tool that has been around for over 50 years and can map our “Delta” level, which is essentially our sleep brain wave. Brain waves reflect function of neurons and if this is elevated it may be driving insomnia! Brain mapping is a non-invasive way to dive further into the root causes and neurofeedback can actually train these pathways back into a healthier place. Better sleep usually follows so if you are lacking that energy, clarity and vigor maybe we should look at that Delta wave and see if this is a barrier to your optimal health.
Functional medicine testing like salivary cortisol can also clue us into whether stress is driving problematic sleep. These tests can look at the circadian rhythm (meaning it varies throughout the day) and help us determine where someone needs help.
We will dive further into sleep and discuss melatonin, cortisol and how stress play a major impact in our circadian rhythms in a further blog but this is something critical to our ability to get deep sleep! Stay tuned…….
These are just a few of our favorite sleep hacks, however there are plenty more out there, such as breathing exercises, meditation, neurofeedback, supplements, and more. We would love to hear some of your sleep hacks!
Here at Dr. Autoimmune, we strongly emphasize optimizing sleep and can work with each patient on an individual basis to uncover what might be behind their sleep issues and how to work towards an amazing nights sleep!
Your Boulder/Denver functional medicine doctor,
Ian Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP
References:
Lichtenstein GR. The Importance of Sleep. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2015;11(12):790
Iliff JJ, Wang M, Liao Y, et al. A paravascular pathway facilitates CSF flow through the brain parenchyma and the clearance of interstitial solutes, including amyloid ?. Sci Transl Med. 2012;4(147):147ra111. doi:1126/scitranslmed.3003748.
Rasmussen MK, Mestre H, Nedergaard M. The glymphatic pathway in neurological disorders. Lancet Neurol. 2018;17(11):1016-1024. doi:1016/S1474-4422(18)30318-1
Kim YK, Nam KI, Song J. The glymphatic system in diabetes-induced dementia. Front Neurol. 2018;9:867. doi:3389/fneur.2018.00867
Jessen NA, Munk AS, Lundgaard I, Nedergaard M. The glymphatic system: a beginner’s guide. Neurochem Res. 2015;40(12):2583-2599. doi:1007/s11064-015-1581-6
Bothwell SW, Janigro D, Patabendige A. Cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and intracranial pressure elevation in neurological diseases. Fluids Barriers CNS. 2019;16(1):9. doi:1186/s12987-019-0129-6
Beydoun HA, Beydoun MA, Jeng HA, Zonderman AB, Eid SM. Bisphenol-A and sleep adequacy among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Sleep. 2016;39(2):467-476. doi:5665/sleep.5466
Erden ES, Genc S, Motor S, et al. Investigation of serum bisphenol A, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. 2014;45(2):311-318. doi:10.1007/s12020-013-0022-z
Shiue I. Urinary arsenic, pesticides, heavy metals, phthalates, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and polyfluoroalkyl compounds are associated with sleep troubles in adults: USA NHANES, 2005-2006. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2017;24(3):3108-3116. doi:1007/s11356-016-8054-6
Gadie A, Shafto M, Leng Y, Kievit RA; Cam-CAN. How are age-related differences in sleep quality associated with health outcomes? An epidemiological investigation in a UK cohort of 2406 adults. BMJ Open. 2017;7(7):e014920. doi:1136/bmjopen-2016-014920
Marin-Alejandre BA, Abete I, Cantero I, et al. Association between sleep disturbances and liver status in obese subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a comparison with healthy controls. Nutrients. 2019;11(2):E322. doi:3390/nu11020322
PTSD and Neuro feedback
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is a type of psychiatric disorder that develops after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. It can be as vivid as war and major disasters or as subtle as a being abandoned or alone in a time of need. It can happen to anyone, at any age and it affects 3.5% of adults in the United States.
Symptoms of PTSD
Symptoms of PTSD may begin within a month after the traumatic event; however, in some cases the symptoms may take years to appear. The symptoms may cause problems in your work or social situations and also in relationships. They may also reduce your capability to do the routine daily tasks.
Symptoms fall into the following four categories:
Intrusive thoughts or memories
Symptoms under this category include the following:
Recurrent, distressing, unwanted memories and thoughts of the terrifying or traumatic event.
Flashbacks of the traumatic event or reliving the event in a way that it is happening again.
Nightmares or upsetting dreams regarding the event.
Severe physical reactions or emotional distress to something, which reminds you of that event.
Avoidance
Symptoms under this category include the following:
Avoiding places, people, objects, situations or activities that bring back distressing memories.
You may try and avoid thinking or remembering about the event.
You may resist discussing and talking regarding what happened and what your feelings are about it.
Negative feelings and thoughts
Symptoms under this category include:
You develop negative thoughts regarding yourself, other individuals and the world in general.
Hopelessness about your future.
Problems with memory such as forgetting important aspects about the past traumatic event.
Difficulty in maintaining relationships, especially close ones.
Feeling of detachment from your friends and family.
You have less interest in those activities that you enjoyed previously.
You have difficulty in experiencing or feeling positive emotions.
Feeling of emotional numbness.
You have ongoing feelings of horror, fear, guilt, shame or anger.
Reactive and Arousal symptoms
Symptoms under this category include:
You get easily frightened or startled.
You always stay on guard for any imminent danger.
You may show behavior that is self-destructive or reckless such as you may drive too fast or drink too much alcohol.
You may have trouble in sleeping.
You may have trouble in concentrating.
You may be irritable or have aggressive behavior or anger outbursts.
In children of six years of age and below, the following signs and symptoms of PTSD may also occur:
Your child may re-enact the various aspects of past traumatic or terrifying event via play.
Your child may have frightening dreams or nightmares of the event.
Physical Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD frequently co-exists with other various mental and physical health diseases ranging from heart disease to depression and among the most common physical manifestations of post traumatic stress disorder is physical or body pain.
Connection between Physical pain and PTSD
A straightforward connection between physical pain and PTSD is that certain traumas are often physical and cause immediate bodily injury and pain. Some traumas however do not cause immediate physical symptoms. They are more subtle. The emotional signs and symptoms of PTSD may also cause physical pain. Disturbances of sleep, anxiety and hyper-arousal, they all lead to physical stress and tension ultimately damaging your health. Back pain, migraines, body aches and stomach pains can stem easily from symptoms of PTSD.
To further this idea, many other issues, which co-exist with PTSD such as anxiety, depression, obesity and substance abuse, may also trigger the symptoms of physical pain.
PTSD and Neurofeedback
Many people who suffer from PTSD require professional therapy to recover from their symptoms that may be quite disabling and intense. Neurofeedback (NF) also referred to as neurotherapy or EEG biofeedback is an innovative therapy to treat PTSD. This therapy uses the capacity of the brain to change or reshape its networks. It helps by training your brain to function in a better way and research shows that it helps to relieve anxiety, sharpen attention, improve behavior and learning and enhance mood without medication.
The process of neurofeedback is simple, non-invasive and painless. By simply sitting and watching a movie, you are able to affect your brain waves through the feedback seen and heard in the dimming of the screen and sound. This training creates new, healthy brainwave patterns and allows the brain to function more efficiently and effectively.
According to a study published in the journal PLOS one, NF has been found to produce significant improvement in the symptoms of patients suffering from chronic PTSD. In another study published in the Journal Medical Psychotherapy, the effects of NF on the symptoms of combat related PTSD of Vietnam veterans were studied. The study demonstrated that NF therapy produced relief in symptoms of PTSD and provided long term prevention of relapse of PTSD! Very few interventions exist currently without psychiatric medications which provide such dramatic relief.
Conclusion
PTSD is a kind of psychiatric disorder that occurs after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. It may manifest itself as both emotional and physical symptoms. One of the most attractive aspects of neurofeedback therapy is that it does not require counseling or the painful reliving of memories, which drive symptoms.
Neurofeedback is an innovative therapy that is gaining much attention in recent times and is quite successful in relieving symptoms of PTSD.
If you or a family member suffers from PTSD please contact Dr. Autoimmune and schedule your brain map/QEEG so you can let your health soar again!
Ian Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP
Bessel A. van der Kolk, Hilary Hodgdon, Mark Gapen, Regina Musicaro, Michael K. Suvak, Ed Hamlin, Joseph Spinazzola. A Randomized Controlled Study of Neurofeedback for Chronic PTSD. PLOS One. December 2016;
Eugene G. Peniston, Paul J. Kulkosky. Alpha-Theta Brainwave Neuro-Feedback for Vietnam Veterans with Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Medical Psychotherapy. 1991; 4: 47-60.
ASD/ADD
ASD or autism spectrum disorder is a type of developmental disorder, which affects behavior and communication. Though patients suffering from autism may get diagnosed from the disorder at any age; but, it is considered a developmental disorder as its symptoms appear during the initial two years of a child’s life.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is a guide used in the diagnosis of mental disorders, states that people suffering from ASD have the following:
Difficulty with interaction and communication with other individuals
Repetitive behaviors and restricted interests
Symptoms, which hurt the ability of the person to function optimally at work, school and other walks of life
Causes of ASD
According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) at least 1 in 70 kids in the USA suffer from ASD (autism spectrum disorder), which is an alarming number.
Though, scientists suggest that aberrations in genes that act together with certain environmental factors as the causative factor of ASD; however, several studies have highlighted that neuroinflammatory processes play a more critical role in the causation of ASD. Over the last decade, intense research has been done to find out how exactly immune dysfunction alters brain function and causes autism.
According to a review published in the journal ‘Current opinion in neurology’, autoantibodies (antibodies that target tissues of your own body) targeting brain proteins have been found in both children suffering from autism and their mothers. The review further states that there is alteration in both humoral and cellular immunity in patients with autism. Moreover, in some patients with autism active inflammation in the central nervous system has been found (>60%).
Another review published in the journal ‘Immunology letters’ suggests that ASD is characterized by immune dysfunction. Symptoms of immune dysfunction present in ASD are neuroinflammation (inflammation in the nervous system), increased responses of T lymphocytes, presence of autoantibodies etc. Research is pointing at a reaction to foods in the child’s diet that may cross react with cerebellar proteins, diminishing brain development and executive function (cerebellum fires to the frontal cortex which is critical to behavioral control, mood and attention so anything generating inflammation in one area may create problems in others). These responses are associated with core symptoms of ASD including repetitive behaviors and impaired communication and poor social interactions. Hence, it can be suggested that the immune dysfunction present in ASD patients affects neurological processes and various aspects of neural development; thereby, resulting in changes in behavior and communication.
Another study published in the ‘journal of neuroinflammation’ found various biochemical compounds related to inflammation in the plasma of patients suffering from autism. These chemicals can change blood flow, impact nutrient utilization and impede “neuroplasticity”, or the process of neurons connecting and creating a healthy neuron-network.
Heavy Metal Exposure Raises the Risk of ASD
It has been found that exposure to heavy metals such as lead, copper, aluminum, cadmium and mercury at various stages of development of the child may raise the risk of ASD. Prenatal exposure to heavy metals can result in defective brain development of the fetus. Consuming fish, using aluminum cooking utensils and living nearby gasoline stations has been found to result in maternal exposure to toxins.
According to a study published in the journal ‘behavioral neurology’, environmental exposure of children to toxic heavy metals during their developmental period plays a vital role in the causation of autism. The exposure to these heavy metals may be prenatal or postnatal. Some of the possible sources of exposure to heavy metals include fertilizers, chemical products, building materials, industrial paints, fish (which has high amounts of mercury), dental fillings containing silver, and preservatives containing mercury (thiomersal) present in vaccines. Lead is present in the dirt found near roads or in paint on old houses. Children who eat paint chips or who have pica (an illness in which the child eat non-nutritious things such as paint or drywall) may get toxic levels of lead in their blood.
Females who have chronic heavy metal exposure and have accumulated high levels of heavy metals such as mercury in their body tissues and blood may pass these metals to their growing fetus or infants through breastfeeding.
Vaccinations as a Potential Source of Heavy Metal Exposure
It has been found that mercury present in the preservatives used in vaccines is also a potential source of heavy metal exposure for children. Moreover, vaccines given for measles, mumps and rubella or MMR that is given during early life is also correlated to the disorder.
Conclusion
The causative factors of autism or ASD remains controversial and elusive, but both environmental and genetic factors have been suggested. However, recent studies suggest that exposure to heavy metals during key phases of development of a child may play a vital role in the causation of ASD. Moreover, autism is a neuroinflammatory condition and not a genetic aberration, which results from immune dysfunction resulting from environmental factors such as heavy metal exposure. This is the most important point as many so called “Autism advocacy groups” would like to normalize the behavior found in kids suffering with autistic spectrum. There is no doubt many children grow into healthy, productive adults even with Autism but for others this condition rules their life and their parents’ lives. Instead of saying we have a new “normal”, functional medicine and functional neurology looks to the reasons why someone developed incorrectly, what inflammatory triggers they have and how we can rehabilitate the brain to improve function and create less dependence on medication.
If you are curious about how we can provide a deeper level of natural support to your child then please join us for our ADD/ADHD & Autistic spectrum lecture at Dr. Autoimmune in North Boulder this Wednesday, August 1 @ 6:00PM. Limited seating available so RSVP is required!
Looking forward to providing you with the info to let your family’s health soar!
Ian Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP References
Farida El Baz Mohamed, Eman Ahmed Zaky, Adel Bassuoni El-Sayed, Reham Mohammed Elhossieny, Sally Soliman Zahra, Waleed Salah Eldin, Walaa Yousef, Youssef, Rania Abdelmgeed Khaled, Azza Mohamed Youssef. Assessment of Hair Aluminum, Lead, and Mercury in a sample of autistic Egyptian Children: Environmental Risk Factors of Heavy Metals in Autism. Behavioral Neurology. October 2015; 2015: 545674.
Afaf El-Ansary, Laila Al-Ayadhi. Neuroinflammation in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of neuroinflammation. 2012; 9: 265.
Gamakaranage C. Heavy Metals and Autism. Journal of Heavy Metal Toxicity and Diseases. September 2016; 1:3.
Charlotte Madore, Quentin Leyrolle, Chloe Lacabanne, Anouk Benmamar-Badel, Corinne Joffre, Agnes Nadjar, Sophie Laye. Neuroinflammation in Autism: Plausible Role of Maternal Inflammation, Dietary Omega 3 and Microbiota. Neural Plasticity. September 2016; 2016.
Jennifer Mead, Paul Ashwood. Evidence supporting an altered immune response in ASD. Immunology letters. January 2015; 163(1): 49-55.
Paula Goines, Judy Van de Water. The Immune System’s Role in the Biology of Autism. Current Opinion in Neurology. April 2010; 23(2): 111–117.
Are you looking for an individualized program that will set your child up for success next school year? Dr. Autoimmune’s Summer Brain Camp is just that!
Unlike other camps, ours is individualized to meet your child’s specific needs and the times are flexible to meet your schedule! The brain is highly complex and that’s why we’ve created a program to identify key areas of weakness and use specific tools to develop those areas. The results can be life changing!
We use a three-fold methodology to determine the “weak links” that may be hindering your child from reaching their highest potential. Then we create a customized plan to target your child’s specific needs causing outstanding results! The three areas are: Lab Testing, Brain Mapping, and Functional Neurology. By combining these three areas, we get a comprehensive picture of how your child’s brain is functioning.
1) Lab tests may offer great insight into your child’s health. They look at imbalances in nutritional status, inflammation, and food sensitivities that could trigger the brain. When anyone has inflammation in the gut or doesn’t have enough nutrients it can slow or impede normal function. This could manifest as sensory integration problems, fatigue, mood swings, or disorganized attention! Research is pointing to our microbiome as one of the most common triggers for emotional health. A child may develop a spectrum condition when the microbiome is not in balance.
2) Brain Mapping (QEEG): Brain mapping is a unique way to literally capture information coming from neurons and shows how brain waves are functioning. This has been used for close to 40 years to determine imbalances in brain waves and rehabilitate them into healthy ranges using neurofeedback. Since children’s brains are quite plastic, meaning they accept information and create change easily, neurofeedback is a safe and effective way to exercise your child’s brain to optimal health. Your results are compared to healthy normal values and displayed as a picture to analyze. In the picture below you will notice Delta is elevated (red/yellow) which could cause fogginess or problems with waking up refreshed. High Theta can cause problems with concentration and staying on task. The elevated Alpha may be causing anxiety or just make someone more emotional while lower Beta can affect executive function like managing complex tasks and even learning! As the brain waves become more balanced, it is very common to notice symptoms like attention, mood swings, poor sleep, anxiety, and poor motivation improving – all without medication.
3) Functional neurology: Part of our initial work up with clients is performing a neurologic exam. You can learn an incredible amount by testing areas in the brain like the frontal lobe (mood, drive, motivation), Parietal lobe (association, dyslexia tendencies, coordination), and cerebellum (eye movements, accuracy and coordination). We perform about 50-60 individual tests that look into these areas and determine if the brain has developed properly. Primitive reflexes are at the root of our testing. Primitive reflexes are present in newborns to initiate movement, which develops the brain. Without them, the brain does not develop completely, and if they last too long, it is also an indication of gaps in brain development. Think of these gaps like holes in a foundation. Just as a home built on a foundation with holes is not structurally sound, a brain with primitive reflexes present is not able to fully mature. The result is learning difficulties, attention and focus problems, behavioral issues, and sensory processing issues. Fortunately, there are exercises, games, and bodywork that address the weaknesses and allow the brain to fully develop. This information is explained to you in detail and we incorporate specific home based exercises that can create new connections and improved brain function!
Whatever your goal or challenge for your child we are here to help. Brain Camp can be a great way to finally get at those challenges you were to busy to deal with during the school year! We understand just how busy it gets because we have kids to! We are opening office hours Fri/Sat to accommodate your busy schedules and we can create a team to help your child achieve optimal brain health!
For a limited time we’re offering a comprehensive initial consultation which includes 1.) Neurologic Examination 2.) Brain Map 3.) Report of Findings AND 4.) 2 Trail Neurofeedback Sessions for just $95 ($1,275 value)! We are confident we can shed light on your child’s health and help their brain soar to a new height!
Call 303.882.8447 to schedule your initial appointment!
We understand the pain involved with living with Anxiety and/or Depression and have successfully taken on the root causes of these conditions and provided relief for hundreds of Colorado residents.
If you’re struggling with one or both of these conditions please take the time to watch the latest webinar covering Dr. Autoimmune’s Functional Medicine approach to taking on Anxiety and/or Depression featuring Dr. Ian Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP.
Scroll down for both patient testimonies AND learn more about one of the possible causes of Anxiety/Depression with “The way to heal the mind is to heal the whole body” by Dr. Ian Hollaman DC.
Register below and you will automatically be taken to our Anxiety/Depression webinar hosted by Dr. Ian Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP.
This is a NO COST, NO OBLIGATION, FREE WEBINAR! Participants will also be sent our Balance Your Brain: Overcome Anxiety and/or Depression handout and the webinar link incase you missed something. Anyone who watches Dr. Ian’s webinar will also be invited to enjoy exclusive, New Patient pricing.
We appreciate your time and looking forward to letting your health soar!
The way to heal the mind is to heal the whole body – by Dr. Ian Hollaman DC, MSc, IFMCP
“I feel like this depression is a never ending story. Will I ever get better and feel good, happy and healthy again? I can’t take this anymore. It keeps pulling me down into the blackness and I wish with all my heart I could take it away. I’m tired, so tired of this constant battle. I want to feel like me again. I used to be so happy. I used to sleep through the night and feel energetic all day. I didn’t use to live with all this pain”. Do you feel depressed? You are not alone! What if you could . . .
address the actual cause of your depression or anxiety Safely and Effectively?
Take control of your life?
Transform your body, your brain, and your experience with an Effective, Integrative, Functional medicine approach to Healing?
It’s hard to face illness, pain, and fear. But it IS possible to move through it and transform yourself. It takes courage and commitment as well as powerful knowledge, support, and tools from an expert. Depression isn’t the root disease itself. It’s the outward expression of imbalance in the body, the symptom. It’s the body alerting you to the fact that something is wrong.
Depression is not simple, there are many complex factors involved.
Both anxiety and depression, along with other mood and neuropsychiatric disorders, such anxiety, sleep disorders, eating disorders, or bipolar disorder generally result from a complex interplay of factors. These may include a combination of nutritional, physical, environmental, social and emotional factors, affecting your genetic tendencies and brain biochemistry (meaning that your neurotransmitters, or the chemical messengers within your brain, can be affected by these key components of well-being). You can think of anxiety and depression as disruptions in brain health.
Gut health – heal your gut to heal your mind.
The brain-gut connection.
Did you know we have a second brain? The second one, called our enteric nervous system, consists of some 100 million neurons that are embedded in the walls of our gut. There are incredibly intricate interconnections between the brain and the gut and the vagus nerve (the nerve responsible for a lot of your thinking and brain function) connected from the top of your stomach, all the way up to your brain. The “brain-gut” connection is essentially what it sounds like: Your gut and brain are directly linked. As important as the neurons in the gut is the kind of bacteria and other microbes collectively known as our microbiome. They do many important things like break down our food, fight off infection, and boost our immune system and also play a very important role in our mental health. In addition, about 95% of your serotonin (“feel good” brain chemical) is produced in your gastrointestinal tract. When your gut is unhappy, stressed, inflamed…your brain is unhappy or stressed. Inflammation in your gut sends signals to your brain, causing similar responses such as inflammation, stress, anxiety, depression and a host of other mental health issues.
“By improving the microbiome we can actually see positive changes in mood, cognitive function, and executive function,”
A stronger microbiome means less inflammation, which means reduced risk of inflammatory brain diseases and disorders like Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
“Leaky gut” is linked to mental health disorders.
Our gut takes a hit over time when we eat processed foods, eat foods we are allergic to, get overloaded with environmental toxins, medications, and antibiotics. This leads to a wear and tear on our gut linings, which then leads to a “leaky gut”
Leading to digestive issues (from constipation, gas and bloating to allergies, brain fog, and skin breakouts)… Which then leads to inflammation in the body (as food particles leak into our bloodstream—outside the digestive tract). Our body sees food in the bloodstream as “outside invaders” and ends up attacking itself (causing an inflammatory response, which impacts our whole body—brain included).
This constant state of stress causes chronic inflammation; the body reacts to the stress as a type of infection and tries to overcome it. Because inflammation is at the root of many diseases, this exposure to prolonged stress can have serious consequences for your health, ranging from high blood pressure to autoimmune disorders to chronic depression and mental health disorders.
Neurofeedback – balancing brain wave energy
Traditionally, depression has been treated with therapy and medication, both of which have limitations, and medications can have significant side effects.
Even with medication, countless depression sufferers continue to struggle. Medications don’t teach the brain how to get out of the unhealthy brain pattern of depression.
Depression is neurological, not psychological.
The left frontal area of the brain is associated with positive emotions and motivation and a desire to be involved with other people. The right frontal area of the brain is more associated with worry, depression, and fear, accompanied by the motivation to withdraw from and avoid other people and different environments. When there is more slow brainwave activity in the left frontal area, this part of the brain is more inactive and the right frontal area is more dominant. Such a person is predisposed to become depressed more easily, to withdraw from other people, and to be anxious. Neurofeedback training works on the root of the problem, altering the brain patterns affiliated with depression. Neurofeedback can restore healthy brain wave patterns and bring lasting brain changes. It is non-invasive and produces no undesirable side effects making neurofeedback a powerful tool.
We first measure brain function with a quantitative EEG brain map, so that you can see the reason in your brain for your mood problems. The QEEG will show areas of the brain where there is too little or too much activity.
Hundreds of studies have been done investigating EEG activity and many important areas of our daily life functioning, including our attention, mood, anxiety, social functioning, and learning and thinking skills. EEG can be used to identify the basis in the brain for attention deficits and the distinct EEG patterns that have been identified for depression.
Once we determine the source of the problem, we target that area for change through neurofeedback brain training. This allows you to reshape your brain, not just mask your symptoms. Neurofeedback training will stabilize your depressed mood and other symptoms which keep you depressed like insomnia and anxiety.
Those with depression often notice improvement after only a few sessions, but for the brain to fully learn to make healthier patterns consistently, a number of brain training sessions are required. With sufficient practice, the brain learns to make these healthy patterns on its own and regulate mood independently.
Neurofeedback can help depression sufferers get their lives back. Your brain changes when you are depressed and neurofeedback can help it relearn healthier patterns, giving those who suffer from depression a way out of their suffering.
Neurofeedback is able to make a change to the source of depression symptoms within the brain and central nervous system.
Neurofeedback training for Depression is very promising because it can not only relieve the symptoms of Depression but can also modify the brain’s biological predisposition for becoming depressed by reversing the frontal brain wave asymmetry that predisposes you to depression and help you regain control of your life. This complex venture is designed to help support your health and healing so you can feel better, energized and invigorated, calmer, and at peace.
Capable, experienced guidance makes all the difference in helping you reach a place of health and happiness faster, with superior and lasting results.
Because every person has a unique set of challenges, at Dr. Autoimmune we support you with a creative and effective individualized approach. Dr. Ian Hollaman has developed a unique, effective, non-drug approach to helping people with depression and anxiety. His program incorporates Functional Medicine, Functional Neurology, Nutrition, Brain Mapping, Neurofeedback and customized Chiropractic care.
Our role at Dr. Autoimmune is to provide support, knowledge, tools, and strategies that directly address the root cause of all your mental and physical challenges in order to enhance and encourage a positive transformation. We can get to the root cause of your depression by using a Comprehensive Functional Medicine Approach. This and more is possible!
Depression/Anxiety Symptoms checklist
• Prolonged sadness, feeling overwhelmed/hopeless, • Loss of interest in activities, social interaction, pleasure • Irritability, easily frustrated, angered, quick to tears • Changes in sleep – insomnia, racing thoughts keeping you awake • Weight gain or weight loss, loss of appetite, emotional overeating • Digestive problems – nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting • Brain fog – Trouble thinking, concentrating and making decisions • Unexplained aches and pains, headaches, rashes • Chronic fatigue, lack of energy • Excessive guilt and feeling worthless, ruminating thoughts
“I feel like this depression is a never ending story. Will I ever get better and feel good, happy and healthy again? I can’t take this anymore. It keeps pulling me down into the blackness and I wish with all my heart I could take it away. I’m tired, so tired of this constant battle. I want to feel like me again. I used to be so happy. I used to sleep through the night and feel energetic all day. I didn’t use to live with all this pain”.
Do you feel depressed? You are not alone!
What if you could . . .
address the actual cause of your depression or anxiety Safely and Effectively?
Take control of your life?
Transform your body, your brain, and your experience with an Effective, Integrative, Functional medicine approach to Healing?
It’s hard to face illness, pain, and fear. But it IS possible to move through it and transform yourself. It takes courage and commitment as well as powerful knowledge, support, and tools from an expert.
Depression isn’t the root disease itself. It’s the outward expression of imbalance in the body- the symptom. It’s the body alerting you to the fact that something is wrong.
Depression is not simple, there are many complex factors involved.
Both anxiety and depression, along with other mood and neuropsychiatric disorders, such anxiety, sleep disorders, eating disorders, or bipolar disorder generally result from a complex interplay of factors. These may include a combination of nutritional, physical, environmental, social and emotional factors, affecting your genetic tendencies and brain biochemistry (meaning that your neurotransmitters, or the chemical messengers within your brain, can be affected by these key components of well-being). You can think of anxiety and depression as disruptions in brain health.
Gut health – heal your gut to heal your mind.
The brain-gut connection.
Did you know we have a second brain? The second one, called our enteric nervous system, consists of some 100 million neurons that are embedded in the walls of our gut. There are incredibly intricate interconnections between the brain and the gut and the vagus nerve (the nerve responsible for a lot of your thinking and brain function) connected from the top of your stomach, all the way up to your brain.
The “brain-gut” connection is essentially what it sounds like: Your gut and brain are directly linked. As important as the neurons in the gut is the kind of bacteria and other microbes collectively known as our microbiome. They do many important things like break down our food, fight off infection, and boost our immune system and also play a very important role in our mental health. In addition, about 95% of your serotonin (“feel good” brain chemical) is produced in your gastrointestinal tract.
When your gut is unhappy, stressed, inflamed…your brain is unhappy or stressed. Inflammation in your gut sends signals to your brain, causing similar responses such as inflammation, stress, anxiety, depression and a host of other mental health issues.
“By improving the microbiome we can actually see positive changes in mood, cognitive function, and executive function,”
A stronger microbiome means less inflammation, which means reduced risk of inflammatory brain diseases and disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
“Leaky gut” is linked to mental health disorders.
Our gut takes a hit over time when we eat processed foods, eat foods we are allergic to, get overloaded with environmental toxins, medications, and antibiotics. This leads to a wear and tear on our gut linings, which then leads to a “leaky gut”
Leading to digestive issues (from constipation, gas and bloating to allergies, brain fog, and skin breakouts)… Which then leads to inflammation in the body (as food particles leak into our bloodstream—outside the digestive tract). Our body sees food in the bloodstream as “outside invaders” and ends up attacking itself (causing an inflammatory response, which impacts our whole body—brain included).
This constant state of stress causes chronic inflammation; the body reacts to the stress as a type of infection and tries to overcome it. Because inflammation is at the root of many diseases, this exposure to prolonged stress can have serious consequences for your health, ranging from high blood pressure to autoimmune disorders to chronic depression and mental health disorders.
Neurofeedback – balancing brain wave energy
Traditionally, depression has been treated with therapy and medication, both of which have limitations, and medications can have significant side effects.
Even with medication, countless depression sufferers continue to struggle. Medications don’t teach the brain how to get out of the unhealthy brain pattern of depression.
Depression is neurological, not psychological.
The left frontal area of the brain is associated with positive emotions and motivation and a desire to be involved with other people. The right frontal area of the brain is more associated with worry, depression, and fear, accompanied by the motivation to withdraw from and avoid other people and different environments. When there is more slow brainwave activity in the left frontal area, this part of the brain is more inactive and the right frontal area is more dominant. Such a person is predisposed to become depressed more easily, to withdraw from other people, and to be anxious. Neurofeedback training works on the root of the problem, altering the brain patterns affiliated with depression. Neurofeedback can restore healthy brain wave patterns and bring lasting brain changes. It is non-invasive and produces no undesirable side effects making neurofeedback a powerful tool.
We first measure brain function with a quantitative EEG brain map, so that you can see the reason in your brain for your mood problems. The QEEG will show areas of the brain where there is too little or too much activity. Hundreds of studies have been done investigating EEG activity and many important areas of our daily life functioning, including our attention, mood, anxiety, social functioning, and learning and thinking skills. EEG can be used to identify the basis in the brain for attention deficits and the distinct EEG patterns that have been identified for depression.
Once we determine the source of the problem, we target that area for change through neurofeedback brain training. This allows you to reshape your brain, not just mask your symptoms.
Neurofeedback training will stabilize your depressed mood and other symptoms which keep you depressed like insomnia and anxiety.
Those with depression often notice improvement after only a few sessions, but for the brain to fully learn to make healthier patterns consistently, a number of brain training sessions are required. With sufficient practice, the brain learns to make these healthy patterns on its own and regulate mood independently.
Neurofeedback can help depression sufferers get their lives back. Your brain changes when you are depressed and neurofeedback can help it relearn healthier patterns, giving those who suffer from depression a way out of their suffering.
Neurofeedback is able to make a change to the source of depression symptoms within the brain and central nervous system.
Neurofeedback training for Depression is very promising because it can not only relieve the symptoms of Depression but can also modify the brain’s biological predisposition for becoming depressed by reversing the frontal brain wave asymmetry that predisposes you to depression and help you regain control of your life. This complex venture is designed to help support your health and healing so you can feel better, energized and invigorated, calmer, and at peace.
Capable, experienced guidance makes all the difference in helping you reach a place of health and happiness faster, with superior and lasting results.
Because every person has a unique set of challenges, at Red Tail Wellness we support you with a creative and effective individualized approach. Dr. Ian Hollaman has developed a unique, effective, non-drug approach to helping people with depression and anxiety. His program incorporates Functional Medicine, Functional Neurology, Nutrition, Brain Mapping, Neurofeedback and customized Chiropractic care.
Our role at Dr. Autoimmune is to provide support, knowledge, tools, and strategies that directly address the root cause of all your mental and physical challenges in order to enhance and encourage a positive transformation. We can get to the root cause of your depression by using a Comprehensive Functional Medicine Approach. This and more is possible!
Depression/Anxiety Symptoms checklist
• Prolonged sadness, feeling overwhelmed/hopeless, • Loss of interest in activities, social interaction, pleasure • Irritability, easily frustrated, angered, quick to tears • Changes in sleep – insomnia, racing thoughts keeping you awake • Weight gain or weight loss, loss of appetite, emotional overeating • Digestive problems – nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting • Brain fog – Trouble thinking, concentrating and making decisions • Unexplained aches and pains, headaches, rashes • Chronic fatigue, lack of energy • Excessive guilt and feeling worthless, ruminating thoughts
Join us Thursday, July 27th at 6pm
CALL (303) 882-8447 to reserve your seat or use the form below.
Attendees to this lecture will also be invited to enjoy their first Brain Mapping, 2 Neurofeedback sessions, and a Report Of Findings for just $90! (regular price $750)
