Amino Acid Therapy To Heal Your Brain & Improve Your Anxiety, Depression, ADHD & More.

One common reason people reach out for holistic therapy and counseling is to address their new or longstanding mental health challenges. Symptoms such as anxiety, depression, addiction, ADHD, insomnia and lack of motivation are often so debilitating that they are unable to live the life they desire. In my experience, psychiatric medications are essential for many, and truly life-saving. But for those who have not had success with traditional psychiatry, it’s worth considering the highly effective natural solutions that are rarely offered in conventional medicine.

Many mental health symptoms are all indications that levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, GABA, and the catecholamines dopamine and norepinephrine (there are more) are low. This is otherwise known as neurotransmitter dysfunction or imbalance. There are four main neurotransmitters involved with mood and behavior, and they are: serotonin, GABA, endorphins and catecholamines (dopamine/Norepinephrine). The main focus of Amino Acid Therapy in clinical practice is on the serotonin-catecholamine system. Low levels of each of these, lead to a very specific pattern of mental health symptoms. It’s important to know that there are many reasons why brains become depleted and imbalanced, such as, trauma, chronic stress, chronic pain, loss, poor nutrition, addiction, hormonal changes and genetic predisposition, and thankfully, there are effective and powerful ways to restore brain health.

Our bodies need amino acids to work properly, and they are crucial to metabolic function. Some amino acids are made by the body, and others come from your diet. Typically, when you consume a protein, your body breaks it down and what's left is the amino acid. Amino acids are precursors to neurotransmitters, and when these vital messengers are deficient or imbalanced, information is not relayed optimally in the brain, and symptoms arise. Amino acid therapy aims to heal and restore the brain to optimal functioning by supplementing what’s missing based on history, symptoms, behaviors and response to trial treatment.

Another elegant feature of supporting mental health with nutrients and precursor amino acids is the fact that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRI’s work by allowing serotonin to be recycled and not discarded. This is helpful only if you have enough serotonin at the receptor site. If an individual is very depleted in serotonin, no matter the reason, then recycling what’s there is not enough. Amino Acid Therapy replenishes the supply of neurotransmitters so cellular function can be the robust system that it is meant to be.

Amino Acid Therapy can be a stand-alone treatment or used in conjunction with talk therapy and other healing modalities. Many practitioners believe that a nourished, well-functioning brain enables psychotherapy to be more effective and faster by reducing troubling symptoms, increasing coping skills and improving relationships. A practitioner trained in integrative nutrition can assist you in restoring your health and well-being by assessing your unique needs and “prescribing” a safe and effective protocol. You can stay on your prescription medications and slowly taper off if you wish as your brain repairs. There are many factors that contribute to neurotransmitter dysfunction, and some you may have less control over, but what you can control is your response to stress, your nutrition and the many other ways you choose to care for and support your body.

Wondering where to begin? The Standard American Diet, more commonly known as SAD (not kidding!) is not your friend when it comes to maintaining or improving your mental health symptoms. A great place to begin your mental health healing journey is by incorporating an anti-inflammatory diet that focuses on eating high-quality protein, plenty of organic vegetables and good fats. If possible, get some morning sunshine (light in the retina) to improve sleep and find ways to move your body.

Some common symptoms of Neurotransmitter Dysfunction:

• Depression

• Low self-worth

• Bipolar Disorder

• Anxiety

• Burnout

• Muscle tension

• Inability to tolerate stress

• Panic attacks

• Migraines

• Anger, rage, irritability

• Emotional sensitivity

• Perfectionism

• Obsessions, compulsions

• Low energy, headaches, pain, fibromyalgia, disturbed sleep

• Lack of focus, concentration difficulties

• Easily overwhelmed

• Food cravings

• Weight issues

• Low energy

• Low motivation

• Memory impairment

• Hormone & adrenal dysfunction

• ADHD symptoms

Some common health concerns that contribute to mental health symptoms:

• Chronic inflammation

• Adrenal Fatigue

• Hormone imbalance and depletion

• Nutritional deficiencies (B vitamins, magnesium, zinc and more)

• Methylation issues

• Fatty acid imbalance

• Candida and infections

• Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, autoimmune disorders

• Hypoglycemia

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