Whether we’ve been diagnosed with an attention disorder, or we’re just feeling scattered, we (adults and children) can learn to be more in control of our minds and bodies.
To improve brain function we need to be aware of what causes foggy thinking, a lack of focus, poor impulse control, and easy distractibility.
What Upsets Brain Balance?
Some of the most common upsets to balanced brain function are chronic emotional stress, dysbiosis or leaky gut, and nutritional deficiencies.
Chronic stress impairs brain function. It alters perception, influences behavior, and limits decision-making. Stress interferes with both brain development, oxygenation, and with our ability to be emotionally and intellectually resourceful on a daily basis. Stress creates a functionally smaller and less efficient brain.
Dysbiosis and leaky gut are symptoms of gastrointestinal imbalances that can adversely influence brain function. Dysbiosis is an imbalance of the body’s microbiome or gut flora, which has a negative influence on the production of neurotransmitters that influence mood, cognition, and behavior.
Researchers suggest that when we have a leaky gut we also have a leaky blood/brain barrier. A leaky blood/brain barrier can lead to inflammation in the brain that can adversely influence perception, cognitive ability, mood, behavior, and neurological movement disorders.
Nutritional deficiencies resulting from poor diet, stress overload, and genetic influences can also impair brain function.
What Can We Do?
Fortunately, there’s much we can do to support brain function.
We can learn to turn off the stress response and repair brain function. One such way is offered by the Institute of HeartMath. It’s been demonstrated that their stress reduction technique ‘Quick Coherence’ (which I tend to call ‘Heart Breathing’) has a positive influence on the cognitive, emotional, and behavior function of children diagnosed with ADHD. Here’s the study by Anthony Lloyd, PhD, David Brett, BSc, and Keith Wesnes, PhD.
Heal the gut and positively influence brain health. More whole foods, less sugar, and reducing other inflammation triggering foods, like wheat or dairy, along with plenty of vegetables, organic protein, and healthy fats can serve as a foundation for healing both the brain and the body.
Making up for nutritional deficiencies can often provide the missing elements to successful healing. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to brain structure and health. To that I would add vitamin D3 and a good B-Complex vitamin for supporting healthy neurological function. There’s a common, genetically influenced B vitamin imbalance called pyroluria. You can see many of the common symptoms here.
What Else Can We Do?
Energy Balancing – Some of the earliest systems that I employed in the treatment of learning disorders dating back to the 1980’s used acupuncture points and movement to support brain function. One of those systems that I still use today is called Brain Gym. Acupuncture, acupressure, Tai chi and Chi Gong are also effective brain balancers.
Beliefs – It’s important to identify limiting beliefs related to our ability to think and learn effectively. EFT tapping is an ideal technique for changing limiting beliefs. It’s become more obvious to me that beliefs either limit or empower us.
Goals – It’s also important to identify discreet goals for ourselves related to learning and brain function so we can monitor our progress realistically.
The suggestions mentioned above have served me and my patients well over the years. I trust that they’ll be supportive for you, or your children.
Steven Templin, D.O.M., Dipl. Ac. offers a comprehensive mind-body program for addressing the underlying inflammation, toxicities, and stress-induced causes of most pain and illness.
He places special emphasis on resolving the stress response and repairing adrenal gland and digestive system function to address the root causes of many common and often difficult to treat illnesses.
He translates emerging research in the fields of Epigenetics, Energy Psychology, and Functional Nutrition into effective practices that you can perform at home.
You can work with Dr. Templin online, or in his Lakeland, Florida office at the Natural Medicine Center. You can visit his website at www.stevetemplin.com and contact him via email at drtemplin@gmail.com.
You can schedule a consultation or an office visit with Dr. Templin by calling 863-838-2779.
Steve is a retired Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture Physician, and HeartMath Trauma-Sensitive Certified Practitioner with over 35 years of clinical experience in Energy Medicine, Energy Psychology, and Biofeedback.