My Depression and How Functional Medicine Fixed It

[@whatrtheodds]

I felt tortured to wake up in the morning, I dreading going to sleep because I knew I had to wake in the morning, mine also has really bad body pain aswell. I never told anyone though because most people don't know how to help, and I didn't believe in conventional medication. But I changed my diet and lifestyle.... and im healing.

[@EvanBrand]

I understand, could be autoimmune, AIP diet can really help.

[@dawnhuffey6461]

What is AIP?

[@howardfinnegan1840]

You probably dont care but if you guys are stoned like me atm you can stream pretty much all of the latest movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Been watching with my brother lately =)

[@riverkillian8472]

@Howard Finnegan yup, been watching on InstaFlixxer for years myself :)

[@Sam-ue4rv]

Still going thru anxiety depression stress depersonalisation.. so many issues.. its a constant fight everyday

[@EvanBrand]

You can schedule a 15 minute free call to discuss your options here: bit.ly/freeconsultlink

[@APortaA1]

Ty for your transparency Evan. I am a DC and have just gotten into the Functional Medicine arena. I don't know if you heard, but the latest theories/literature on Depression suggests it is a Inflammatory conditions and less a NT imbalance. I look forward to eventually meeting you in the future

[@EvanBrand]

Thanks for stopping by. Inflammation is definitely a cause which affects neurotransmitters!

[@danielcraig5310]

God bless you Evan

[@EvanBrand]

Thanks :)

[@lisathebeautician6489]

I was on ssri for 20 years...I started taking SAMe and went off the meds completely

[@EvanBrand]

+Lisa The Beautician love it!

[@bernardojunqueira2392]

I was recently prescribed with SSRI, but before taking it, I´ve been doing lots of research about other ways to ´´get my brain back´´ and control of my feelings and thoughts. 5-htp, dopa, perhaps SAMe, GABA, Neurofeedback, Lavanda essential oil, meditation (which already tried but didn´t really work for me, at least the one I´ve tried)... been researching all those in order to avoid the use of SSRI. Of course Money would help A LOT :) . Good to see your comment that you were actually able to get off SSRI with SAMe.

[@missy4335]

I feel like my happy neurotransmitters are non existant. Anxiety attacks and depression and negative thinking has now impaired my memory, focus, cognition and my emotions. My emotions just feel beyond numb. I'm suffering with insomnia too. Its hard going to sleep with the foggy spacey sensation in my brain. I'm going through a hard time😣

[@EvanBrand]

Feel free to email my staff, happy to help. [e-mail]

[@Jz-en9pi]

Some souls seems to put on the disease on themselves and master it, so they may save others. Thank you man!

[@snowps1]

I got the melancholic depression too. I absolutely hate feeling that way.

[@EvanBrand]

I can help

[@robertworton2394]

You are a good dude!

[@EvanBrand]

Thanks.

[@JennyB957]

Hello Evan , your knowledge alone gives such hope . Thx

[@EvanBrand]

Thanks

[@MrRafac1880]

Evan! thank you for the great videos. I am certain that I am still dealing with leaky gut and inflammation. ...I was curious to know, ...where did you study to become a Functional Medicine Doctor? ...I am looking to get into this field myself. Thanks again!

[@EvanBrand]

I cover all of this here: www.evanbrand.com/courses

[@Sam-ue4rv]

Please do a video on depersonalisation/ Panic attacks

[@EvanBrand]

Adding it to the list!

[@briandiaz8576]

@@EvanBrand what about anhedonia? Can that be cured?

[@ivanmamula7588]

@@briandiaz8576 I'm struggling with anhedonia too, whatcha his video on low dopamine.

[@royplumber]

book 2 timothy 1-7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. So it could be a spirit which gives you fear ! stress anxiety and worry which is all fear undercover and its hard to see. You may need to be taught how this works then the spirit can be removed. The hardest part of this is fear effects your sound mind so you may never understand what i am trying to explain

[@royplumber]

if you don't feel safe ( feafull )and are getting negative thoughts the body will respond low ( serotonin ) accordingly learn to cast the negative thoughts down it takes lots of time as women sometimes get unto 50,000 thoughts a day then depression will be gone. whoops there is something else another wall is self pity it will keep you from coming out of depression your mind thoughts may tell you he's talking bull ! yep thats the unsound mind the bible talked about above

[@jaderose5127]

Thankyou for sharing, very encouraging. ☺

[@EvanBrand]

My pleasure.

[@dawnhuffey6461]

I wake up either 3 4 or 5 am with racing heart and immediately go into guilt and regret about past mistakes. I have severe depression. where do I start?

[@EvanBrand]

Get a GI MAP stool test from a functional medicine practitioner like me.

[@dawnhuffey6461]

Can I get a GI MAP stool test through you? It seems that you would have the right protocol to treat any issues that would show up. I just booked a complimentary session.

[@tuvshinbatsundui837]

i using vit c , b complex, fish oil, prebiotic, and gincko biloba ,magnesium b6,....

[@The1RobynHode]

I'm curious, are you getting 1+ hour of morning sunlight and exposing skin? Do you set your circadian rhythm in the morning by getting outside into sunlight, even on a clouded day? What time do you wake up? Do you wake up with the sun? Everything you said points to me as a lack of sunlight. I live in Seattle and I can tell you most depression is solved by embracing the sun even up here in the PacNW. Most people fear sunlight... the sun is the largest medicine supplier that's free for us. But fearing the sun is a modern construction and hasn't been that way throughout history. Dopamine is produced when sunlight hits the back of the RPE (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinal_pigment_epithelium).

[@EvanBrand]

+The1RobynHode Great questions! I get up with the sun and try to spend multiple hours in the natural light each day. Yes, buildings are definitely not in our best interest when it comes to light exposure. I recommend downloading the Lux meter app on your phone for a fun and easy way to track your bright light exposure throughout your day. Thanks for the comment!

[@HowBigistheMap]

What about taking magnesium citrate? I use it form Solgar and it always makes me feel so much better! Anyway, do you know anything about POIS (Post Orgasm Illness Syndrome)? That feels as bad as a depression but there is no cure for it yet.

[@EvanBrand]

Magnesium citrate is good. I also use glycinate and threonate.

[@glowingbuddha]

Hey Evan. I sometimes suffer from the fear of not getting enough sleep. As soon as I have a bad night of sleep I get scared into “oh no, this again...”and will go through times of lost sleep. Any suggestions for this?

[@samar3634]

Great video. Do you have any idea how we can help someone 70+ years old suffering from psychotic depression, still symptomatic on medication? very poor appetite?

[@benjaminbritt7862]

Check vitamin d levels (before supplementing), likely has low microbiome due to low neurotransmitters, so sporebiotic from microbiome labs would help. Also they might try gluten free (carnivore diet) to eliminate possible toxins like mold. ERMI test their surroundings for mold. Water filters. They need sunshine also to support vit D which feeds the microbiome. Dietary changes with more B vitamins also will help neurotransmitters

[@662dodz]

Also lost alot of weight very quickly. Need help doctor wanted to give me mirtazepine for sleep and to gain back my weight. He told me there's no withdrawal so I googled mirtazepine withdrawal and like got a 10000 results so I told him I'm not taking anymore pills that's why I'm in this mess in the first place.. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@charles_mencl]

Hello, tahnk you for this video! How much magnesium citrate would you reccomend? If I exercise 6 days a week, 40min lifting weights. And also, how much for the person without or with a little of exercise? Thank you!

[@EvanBrand]

I generally recommend 400mg per day of magnesium glycinate

[@662dodz]

Would dhea supplement be good for reducing cortisol during benzodiazepine withdrawal. Please reply

[@EvanBrand]

You'd need to schedule a consult: evanbrand.com

[@dabhob333]

I’m currently coming off valium after two years. It was prescribed. Never took more than rxd. Is there anything I can do to help with withdrawals? I also came off pristiq recently after 28yrs of antidepressants. Finally, currently taking 900mg lithium (not bipolar).

[@EvanBrand]

Can't advise on drug withdrawals on youtube, feel free to reach out: evanbrand.com/work-with-evan

[@maru_chon8591]

Does excessive masturbation deplete serotonin/dopamine levels. If so, what else does it affect? I think my body has become dependant on masturbation. It's a habit that's been stuck with me since 14 and has only gotten worse. I'm now 22. I make progress by eating healthier and avoiding it. But now, almost every time I engage in doing so my well being feels terrible. My body aches (mostly my neck, back, and head, gut area), I get anxiety, I become very pessimistic, and when I go long periods without doing it I get strong urges to do again. I just need to know what's going neurologically/internally. If anyone understands the situation I'm in, or is currently experiencing the same thing, feedback will be much appreciated. Thank you.

[@EvanBrand]

See yourbrainonporn.com

[@jeromedenouel8126]

Seems to me that it depletes ZINC. I experienced not so long ago, for quite some time, the same feelings of bad well being only minutes after the act. Almost same other symptoms too. I managed to reduced the frequency and I supplement in zinc (eat oysters, pumpkin seeds or by direct zinc supplementation). Beware of not eating too much copper in your diet, it is a competitor to zinc assimilation.

[@maru_chon8591]

jerome denouel thank you for the feedback! (I've been doing well since). Good to hear you found the solution. But the key thing that I caught from your resonse is "frequency". Reminded me it's as much of a mental effort as a physical effort. Zinc and copper are on my research/implementing list. Again, thanks and stay healthy 💪🏽

[@maru_chon8591]

Evan Brand Thank you Evan!

[@nitinmahendru92]

Awesome Video.

[@EvanBrand]

Thanks!

[@bernardojunqueira2392]

OMG, all these symptoms are totally = ME! (except for low sex drive). Will keep watching.

[@EvanBrand]

We're here to help!

[@bernardojunqueira2392]

Luv yours and Dr. J videos. I´ve been following you two for a few weeks now and even considering traveling to the US for a consult. Thank you so much for all the great info you two been putting on youtube.

[@rachitjoshi23]

Exercise is a big challenge for adrenal fatigue clients. I myself cannot exercise . I started gasping for air and crash. Do you recommend any other way to do exercise

[@EvanBrand]

Walk, stretch.

[@jeromedenouel8126]

Little by little, with combined efforts on your diet and lifestyle, you will steadily recover in shape. Went there too after complete adrenal exhaustion due to too much coffee consumption and way too much chronic stress (managing a corporation for decades is tolling). It took me straight to leaky gut and fibromyalgia symptoms.

[@culizocolonense]

Does L tryptophan help with teeth bruxism? I will appreciate your help.

[@mikereeder3810]

Great video!

[@EvanBrand]

Thanks Mike!

[@purpledallas3165]

What about if you experience SAD in the spring/summer months? Could that be related to neurotransmitters, parasites or something else internal?

[@EvanBrand]

Probably other factors.

[@wread1982]

Were can i order a hair mineral test? Thank you

[@EvanBrand]

+Will Read You can contact us [e-mail] and we can get one for you if it's needed or desired. I honestly don't use them very often for investigating most symptoms that people have.

[@Matt-pi9jo]

Evan, sorry if this is personal, but on the sexual aspect that you said you too struggle with, are there certain herbs and/or adaptogens you like to help with this or boost libido without compromising immunity? I've noticed some fenugreek does, although I've also noticed if I take too many libido-boosting herbs (maca, tribulus, h. Goat weed) the vasodilatation side-effects will cause a headache, or the libido boost seems to possibly lower immunity, and I'll be easily compromised for some day within a week (even while doing strict Paleo :P). I bought your nootropics book too, so I'll have a look around for keywords in the kindle version.

[@EvanBrand]

Don't personally use any libido herbs or supplements, however low testosterone due to adrenal insufficiency is an underlying cause of libido issues.

[@scruzmartins]

Hi, I am taking GABA andL-Tyrosine daily, due to chronic stress. Will I put on weight by using GABA?

[@EvanBrand]

Doubt it.

[@scruzmartins]

Thanks for your answer Evan. Another question for you Does Gaba make you forgetful?

[@EvanBrand]

No.

[@elbertcamerino9229]

I tried gaba ang l tyrosine, it weird cause it keep me so low that I even forget to breath is it natural? I have anxiety and depression.

[@scruzmartins]

You need something else!

[@tuvshinbatsundui837]

i have sleep every day in day day difficult to wake up in morning,,..

[@Byokku2013]

If you supplement with 5-htp how long should you generally try it?

[@EvanBrand]

Usually a few months.

[@abhinavmishra428]

suffering from every symtoms . u have said. speicially foggy mind...low sex drive.....

[@lilfroggyfrog]

What if your depression is caused by low dopamine. I usually feel okay, I just feel apathetic and incapable of getting anything done and have a hard time relating with others. I go running, I eat the recommended foods for increasing dopamine, I eat very healthy (whole grains, vegetables), I stay away from coffee, but nothing seems to help.

[@EvanBrand]

You may benefit from tyrosine: auraroots.com/products/tyrosine-pro-100-c

[@whatrtheodds]

B6= sunflower seeds

[@EvanBrand]

Totally!

[@jacobsonc57]

i have high copper its causing many adverse symptoms, i believe i was born with high copper.

[@EvanBrand]

Could have been.

[@ibachmike3]

cheryl jacobson I've seen zinc is supposed to deplete copper. A practitioner on KZbin suggests taking copper with zinc in order not to become copper deficient. Maybe zinc could help you bring your copper levels down.

[@tuvshinbatsundui837]

eat a lot ,

[@jacobsonc57]

how can i increase my sex drive? i am female.

[@EvanBrand]

Get your hormones tested with a saliva cortisol test like this and then work with a functional medicine provider to address the imbalances in the gut, hormones, etc. Feel free to schedule a 15 minute free call with my staff to get help: evanbrand.com/free