Tag Archives: brain injury

Is your brain draining?!

Is your Brain Draining???

Hello Warriors!!

Its that time again for some health tips!!  We’re going to dig into the topic today of your brain drain…

Your brain like everything in your body, is surrounded by fluids.  Our body is bathed in what is called lymph fluid, but your brain and nervous system are bathed in spinal fluid (called cerebro spinal fluid), also called the glymphatic system.  These fluids are basically the plumbing system of our body.  The fluid is essential to get out dead, dying cells from the brain, and nervous system, inflammatory molecules and proteins, old toxins, pathogens, chemicals, and additionally to bring in new cells and food to the brain.

The CSF has other functions as well:
The brain has four fluid compartments: cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), interstitial fluid, intracellular fluid, and the blood. The blood is kept separate from the CSF by the blood-brain barrier and blood CSF barrier. Tiny junctions between cells exist in the blood that create the blood-brain barrier, restricting molecules’ access to the brain. The blood-CSF barrier is also formed by tight junctions between choroid plexus cells. The choroid plexus is an area in the brain where a big pool of cells produce the CSF fluid. CSF comprises 10% of the total volume within the cranial cavity, and once it goes through the channels of the brain, it exits into the cervical lymphatic system. Recent studies show that the CSF and interstitial fluid (fluid in the space) are continuously interchanging.

Your brain is made of a lot of fat, and 25% of the cholesterol in the human body is in the brain. However, the blood-brain barrier that prevents molecules from entering also prevents fats from the blood from entering the brain. The brain, unlike the rest of the body, doesn’t receive cholesterol from the liver. The brain synthesizes its cholesterol. A well-managed system transports its supply of cholesterol to the neurons. This transport of cholesterol takes place through the glymphatic system. Fat is essential for our nervous system to work properly, (your nerves in particular are covered in fat) because it transfers signals from one neuron to another. The glymphatic system is very important for the health of our nerves and our brain!!

This system is mostly active at night, so adequate DEEP restful sleep is required for a healthy brain.  If you aren’t sleeping well, let’s talk. Additionally, in order for this important system to flow, there are a few mechanisms that need to take place. CSF is constantly being made in the choroid plexus, which creates a pressure gradient. Respiration is also very important to move the CSF along as well as pulsing arteries in the brain. The chemicals involved in the firing of neurons, called “ions,” drive a process of osmosis which helps pull the fluid through the brain tissue. Such an intricate system requires—you guessed it—balance. Stiff arteries do not allow pulsing, which causes a decline in fluid. This decrease may be why the elderly, in general, are more susceptible to neuro-cognitive conditions, because the lack of pulsing arteries decreases the ability to flush out the brain. Not being able to flush different substances out of our brain, such as tangles of tau in Alzheimer’s disease, a-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease, and superoxide dismutase in ALS, is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases.

What’s the best method ???
Cranial work is the BEST known source to move the CSF and to drain your brain!!  When the joints of the cranium are not moving properly, it creates stagnation in the flow of this fluid, and then the brain is sitting in a toxic soup of fluids.  Proper nasal breathing and diaphragm breathing is also KEY to make sure your brain is draining.  If you are a mouth breather, you have a toxic brain with depleted oxygen.  If you are clenching and have TMJ issues you also have stagnation in this fluid.

In addition to cranial work, manual lymphatic drainage working from the outside in is also helpful, although not as impactful as working from the inside out with cranial maneuvers.  Dry brushing and manual lymphatic techniques are extremely helpful to get your pump moving!  There’s many tools and techniques that can utilize these methods from massage therapies, to lymphatic specialists to just some handheld fascia tools.

IT is CRITICAL, to always work on fluids and movement before nutritional work.  The brain needs to DRAIN in order to even absorb the nutrients and detoxing you are trying to do through nutritional work.  Brain fog and headaches are symptoms of a toxic brain.  So, get this system moving, get your breathing better, and watch your brain function improve!!

You’ll find more on this topic in my book Freedom Brain Uncover the Secrets to Transformational Health!!!

That is all for now.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy week.

Dr. Rachel

Brain injury, PTSD and messed up emotions.. Whats the connection?

 

Happy Monday Everyone!  I hope you’ve all enjoyed this month’s topics so far about brain injury.  Last week we went over brain injury and the connection with your bite.  If you missed it don’t worry, you can head on over to my website and catch it!

This week we will be digging deeper into the part of brain injury that gets kind of shoved under the rug, and that’s the emotional aspect. 

PTSD for example: An estimated 70 percent of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives and up to 20 percent of these people go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. An estimated 5 percent of Americans—more than 13 million people—have PTSD at any given time.

Pretty significant huh?

PTSD is not just found in our military, although it is extremely common.  So, being so common you’d think it would be talked about more, or at least more treatment options.

However, it’s quite to opposite.  

Especially in our veterans and military care, many are not even given proper examinations and are just medicated as the only option.

—–

However, in my practice I always want to find a source.  And through my research of the brain, I’ve found time and time again research connecting PTSD, mood dys-regulation and the such to previous head trauma. 

One large study that look at at 2300 veterans 3-4 months after returning from IRAQ for 1 year. They found that:

124 (4.9%) reported injuries with loss of consciousness, 260 (10.3%) reported injuries with altered mental status, and 435 (17.2%) reported other injuries during deployment. Of those reporting loss of consciousness, 43.9% met criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as compared with 27.3% of those reporting altered mental status, 16.2% with other injuries, and 9.1% with no injury. Soldiers with mild traumatic brain injury, primarily those who had loss of consciousness, were significantly more likely to report poor general health, missed workdays, medical visits, and a high number of somatic and post-concussive symptoms than were soldiers with other injuries.”

See the correlation?

In my practice, since I ask all the questions, for anyone either young or old with any mental health concern or issue, head trauma is ALWAYS my #1 question.

Because of this research and lots more just like it.  Head trauma causes imbalances within the whole body, including the emotional system.

So shouldn’t that be the first question doctors ask when vets come in with PTSD like symptoms?  Or what about even just headaches or pain?  I would think so..  but unfortunately it’s not, and that is why more education is needed.

——

Chronic in pain in general can also cause mental/emotional issues to arise.  Pain and especially chronic pain messes with the head.  It interferes with what we can do.
Which then causes emotions to arise because of the limitations it produces.

Taking chronic pain away naturally in itself can relieve a good amount of emotional issues that have arose.    This is because when the brain and nervous system are constantly bombarded with pain signals, stabilizing the emotions isn’t a priority.  It just isn’t.  Regulating your neurotransmitters and hormones isn’t a priority when it has to constantly focus on pain, heart beating, lungs pumping, ect. When you start alleviating some of that pain, you free up your brain to focus on those emotional issues.  

But, what if you can’t find the source of pain?  This is often the complaint of individuals that find their way to my practice.
They’ve tried conventional medicine, they’ve tried chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, PT……

But still pain. 

Well, did they even ask about your head?  If they did and you had a concussion or brain injury (don’t have to hit your head), what are your options?

Maybe some of the above mentioned can be utilized if the provider is open minded.  But I find the actual brain environment is NEVER addressed.  Craniopathy care is not very known.  But normalizing that movement is HUGE for that chronic pain and dysfunction.

Once we do this…

I’ve seen time and time again in my practice that emotional traumas start coming up.

Why?  Well cranial care in general opens up and frees the brain to focus on other aspects that need healing.  Emotional traumas are one possibility. 

This is where the technique I utilize in my practice called NET (neuro-emotional technique) comes into play.  Utilizing this after doing the cranial care allows the patient’s thought processes to start changing from “always have” to “had in the past, but now can heal” for example. 

These are REAL  treatments for these types of conditions.  These aren’t ALL the treatments though.  I still recognize and appreciate the other benefits and needs of mental healthcare professionals absolutely.

I just think first taking care of the brain and though processes is and should be the first priority.

In other ages, say children with emotional issues, head trauma can come even just from the birth process, or any head trauma they had otherwise.  Hitting their heads, sports, ect.  If you notice a mood change, check the brain and nervous system first and calm it down.  

For other PTSD related issues, the treatment is still the same in my office.  Find the cause.  What is the trigger?
Can we change those though processes?  Can we balance the brain more to handle it? What else is causing inflammation in the brain?

We will talk about nutritional recommendations for brain injury and healing next week, so stay tuned warriors.

 

Oil of the WEEK.

The oil of the week this week is Copiaba.

Instead of focusing on just one species of Copaifera, dōTERRA recognized the power behind a blend of several species to ensure the highest quality and potency.  Resin from Copaifera reticulate, officinalis, coriacea, and langsdorffii are meticulously harvested and combined to create a synergistic blend.  Not only does this increase the therapeutic power of the oil, but it also enables the different species to offer their best components to the blend for one power-packed essential oil with high levels of the primary constituent beta-caryophyllene.

WAIT…CANNABIS?  LIKE MARIJUANA?

No, not exactly.

If you will allow me to tap into my science nerd for a moment, I can break down the basics for you.

The main chemical component of Copaiba is the cannabinoid beta-caryophyllene, or BCP, though it does NOT affect the body like the psychoactive cannabinoids in marijuana.

We all have endocannabinoids in our bodies that communicate with receptors.  They balance a wide variety of tasks to keep our body balanced both internally and externally.  From immune and inflammatory response to memory recall and appetite, these endocannabinoid receptors are busy supporting the body to keep us in top condition.

In recent years, scientists have studied these cannabinoids for a way to harness their neuroprotective nature and sustaining benefits.

They have identified two subtypes – CB1 and CB2.  Theres a lot more to discover!

CB1 occurs in the nerve cells of the brain to influence memory and pain regulation, but, when triggered, does produce the psychoactive effects we commonly associate with a “marijuana high.”  This has led scientists to search for a solution that does not create the “high,” most often in a synthetic version.

And lurking in the Amazonian rainforests was Copaiba rich with beta-caryophyllene.

CB2 receptors work within the immune system where they affect white blood cells to support healthy immune function while soothing and relaxing the body to reduce inflammation.

BUT…and it’s a huge one…when triggered, they do NOT have the same psychoactive effects on the body.

The primary constituent of Copaiba – beta-caryophyllene – can bind to the CB2 receptors, thereby supporting a healthy nervous system as well as supporting immune function.  While it offers similar support as its essential oil counterparts – Black Pepper, Clove, Melissa, and Rosemary – its ability to bind to the CB2 receptors allows the body to find relaxation and soothing without the psychoactive side effects.

And dōTERRA Copaiba EO boast over 60% of beta-caryophellene!

USES & BENEFITS OF COPAIBA ESSENTIAL OIL

PAIN RELIEF FROM CHRONIC CONDITIONS

Based on this research concerning the CB2 receptors, scientists have found Copaiba to be an amazing alternative to synthetic versions of pain relievers, especially for those suffering from chronic conditions. Some even say that it may top Helichrysum in its ability to naturally relieve the body and reduce inflammation of many different kinds.

Combining it with Clove and a carrier oil creates an amazingly powerful topical spot treatment or massage blend for those suffering from chronic pain.

One of my favorite uses for Copaiba is head and neck tension relief.  Combining it with gems like Peppermint, Lavender, Marjoram, and Frankincense creates an amazing blend that rivals any OTC or prescription drug on the market.  Try this recipe if you deal with tension on a regular basis:

Also great for teething in infants!

 

 

 

Eat berries every day. Berries are full of antioxidants which help protect your brain. They are also high in fiber, lower on the glycemic index (so they don’t cause inflammation), and a wonderful healthy snack. Try this easy berry smoothie to work more berries into your diet!

½-1 cup cashew milk (coconut, almond, or hemp work)
1 cup loosely packed fresh spinach
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
¼ avocado
1 cup frozen blueberries
½-1 frozen banana
½ cup cauliflower, pre-cooked and frozen
1 tablespoon fresh lavender, chopped (or 1/2 drop doterra lavender EO)*
pinch of sea salt

OPTIONAL ADD-INS: Maca powder, hemp seeds, maqui powder, or lemon zest

METHOD

Place the cashew milk and spinach in a high-speed blender and puree until smooth. Blend in the protein powder. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until a thick and creamy consistency is reached. Pour in additional nut milk, if necessary. Top with berries, fresh mint, hemp seeds, and additional lavender.

 

 

 

Wishing you all a safe and happy week,

 

Dr. Hamel