5 natural brain boosters for your overtired mind

5 brain boosters for your overtired mind.

TLDR: Tryptophan, GABA, saffron, Magnesium, and MSM are five substances that I use to support my cerebral health.

Brains these days are tired

Information overload. Shift work. Drug and alcohol use. An aging population. Social isolation. Processed foods. Phew. That’s enough to make anyone tired.

The brain is very, very busy

The “encephalon” is the body’s biggest glucose hog. Neurones in all areas of the noggin are constantly signalling to one another. There is a huge, constant load on the nervous system just to keep us alive. It is busy even when we are relaxed!

Quite apart from all the background work, the cerebrum is constantly managing the active work of both the mind and the body. Thinking, sensing, creating, exercising, working, playing, driving, even making decisions about what to buy at the grocery store: all of this and much, much more is managed by this one amazing organ.

And so, it seems only right to learn a little about how it works. It seems only right, furthermore, to support its health as much possible, so it serves us for as long as possible. I studied Chemistry and Biology at Undergraduate level, and Neuromusic at Masters level. I hope that my explanations are accessible and accurate.

Disclaimer

This is not intended as medical advice. I am offering some information from a balanced and scientific viewpoint. However, I am not a doctor. Consult your healthcare practitioner before making any changes to your diet or supplementation.

Remember: there is a difference between healing and curing. Keep that in mind when reading about anything health-related.

Biology Background

Before we get started on my boosters, let’s get some basics under our belts.

Neurones, neurotransmitters and synapses

Neurones communicate with each other by releasing and absorbing chemicals called neurotransmitters. Most people have heard of Dopamine and Serotonin. What these molecules actually do is cross the tiny little spaces, called synapses, between the end of one neurone and the beginning of another.

How long they stay in the “synaptic space” depends on the person. The famous SSRI class of drugs (prozac and its ilk) are drugs that make serotonin stay longer in the synaptic space. Ritalin, used for ADHD and hyperactivity, also sits in the synaptic space and stimulates the neurones, keeping them “entertained” and helping the person avoid seeking outside stimulus.

Of my supplement routine, GABA, Tryptophan, and saffron are there to support neurotransmitter production in my body. I will elaborate more on this in a later post.

Table 1: Neurotransmitters in the Human Brain

This list is not exhaustive, but here are some important neurotransmitters:

DopamineGABAHistamine
SerotoninGlutamateGlycine
OxytocinEpinephrinePurines
AcetylcholineNorepinephrine

Brainwaves and bio-electricity

Neural activity is bio-electrical in nature. Using specialised equipment, nerve oscillations can be measured and visualised. Brainwaves can oscillate between 0.5-80 times per second. The frequency at which they oscillate is written as “Hz” (Hertz).

Table 2: Brainwave Frequencies

Frequency bandFrequencyStates
Gamma (γ)above 35 HzConcentration; Flow state
Beta (β)12–35 HzAnxiety dominant, active, external attention.
Alpha (α)8–12 HzVery relaxed, passive attention
Theta (θ)4–8 HzDeeply relaxed, inward focused
Delta (δ)0.5–4 HzSleep

Magnesium and the energy needs of the neurones

The cerebrum is the body’s biggest user of glucose. All that bioelectrical and biochemical activity needs a fuel source. Magnesium is a mineral that is used in the process of cellular energy generation, in the mitochondria, which are like little cells within cells whose job is to turn sugars into fuel for the body.

Magnesium deficiency is extremely common in populations who consume a typically “Western” diet. It is, however, very difficult to test for Magnesium status. Magnesium deficiency has many consequences, but here we will focus on energy. If you are short of Magnesium, your mitochondria may struggle to fully “burn” glucose to generate ATP. This would affect your neurones and your synapses, and hence your neural function.

Alcohol, MSM, and the brain

Alcohol misuse has a devastating effect on our neurones. Not only does it cause dehydration, but elevated Blood Alcohol Concentrations, which occur when we drink more than one unit of alcohol per hour, cause oxidative stress on all organs, including the one in our head. MSM, methyl-sulfonyl-methane, is a powerful antioxidant which is also very safe to use. I have been taking MSM nightly for years.

Summing up

There is a lot to cover here. I will keep at it, and slowly explain my little supplement routine. Please feel free to comment below, and you can always drop me a like on social media, or even share this post on yours. Whatever works for you. Thanks for reading.

-Rachel

Pregnancy Massage: 4 Big Differences

Pregnancy Massage: 4 Big Differences.

Pregnancy massage is a wonderful treatment during strange months of gestation. There are, however, some important differences to this type of massage, compared to massages at other times of adult life. Let’s have a look at what they are.

Pregnancy Massage Indications and contra-indications

All types of massage come with their indications and contra-indications. Pregnancy massage is no different.

Contraindication #1: First trimester

The main contraindication is: no massage of any kind during the first trimester. The first trimester is the time in which a pregnancy is most likely to fail. So, as a general safeguard, we don’t do any bodywork during the first three months of pregnancy. Once twelve weeks have elapsed, we still need permission from the family doctor, midwife, or gynaecologist.

Indication #1: Relief from aches and pains

The number one indication of pregnancy massage is: pain relief.

Pregnant women are not ill. They are pregnant. But, gestation presents a set a challenges that are short-lived, but unique to this special life moment.

The development of the belly presents musculo-skeletal challenges around how and where weight is balanced in the body, and how the spinal column responds the the everyday shock absorption of things like walking. If a woman already has a toddler or babe-in-arms to attend to, the back, neck and arms can get particularly worn out.

Connective tissue changes due to fluctuating hormones can produce aches and pains that come and go during the day, but can be especially tiresome during the night. The laxity in connective tissue during pregnancy means that massage therapists must adopt a “don’t know go slow” attitude, especially when working around the pelvis.

But, a well designed pregnancy massage can go a long way to helping a woman feel more comfortable. That is why it’s indication number one!

Indication #2: Relief from swelling

A pregnant woman has about 50% more blood in her body than usual! More blood equals more perfusion of liquid into the intra-cellular and tissue spaces. The result: swelling.

Edema in the legs and and ankles is an extremely common side-effect of later-stage pregnancy. Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage is uniquely suited to relieving puffiness, calming the central nervous system, relieving pressure on the inguinal lymph nodes, and generally helping an expectant mother feel more herself again.

A qualified MLD therapist will be able to explain about the importance of breathing, and the changes in the diaphragmatic pump during pregnancy. These are specialist topics that won’t often be addressed by the medical team, but which can go a long way to helping a woman understand what is happening to her body.

Through a clear, helpful explanation, and good understanding of the lymphatic system during pregnancy, a women can feel more serene and at ease during this singular moment in her life.

The Four Big Differences

Aromatherapy or Essential oils

During pregnancy, it is recommended that no essential oils be used. In very late stages of pregnancy, some chamomile could be added to the carrier oil. But, I adhere strictly to this rule: No essential oils.

Essential oils are highly concentrated because they have been extracted and distilled. We smell them, and we also absorb them via the skin.

The skin is the largest organ in the body, and has a high degree of venous irrigation. This means that things that you apply to the skin get into your blood supply very quickly.

Essential oils contains lots of organic compounds like terpenes, benzenes, and toluenes. As adults, we have all been exposed to these chemicals and most of us can tolerate them. But a developing foetus has not had any environmental exposure, yet. Although the mother’s liver and kidneys would filter the blood, we still don’t want to mess around with this. Don’t use essential oils in your pregnancy massage practice.

Electromedicine

Devices like Indiba, TENS, or (my favorite) HIVAMAT, all have one thing in common: they use electricity to stimulate the skin and/or connective tissue and/or nerves in order to relieve pain and promote healing.

The developing foetus is particularly sensitive to electrostatic fields. During pregnancy massage, electromedicine devices of any kind are not used.

Reflexology points

Reflexology is particularly nice for the expectant mother. Not only is positioning on the massage couch easier (no side-lying), the feet take a beating during gestation and often need some TLC.

Having said that, there are certain reflex points on the ankles that heels that must be avoided until a woman is full term. Make sure not to stimulate points related to the uterus when giving reflexology massage!

Positioning on the massage couch

It is unlikely that a women past her first trimester will be comfortable lying face-down for any period of time. Structure the treatment so that she is at ease.

Avoid lying for too long on the left side, as this makes her heart work harder. Try side-lying on the right side, with pillows between the knees and in front of the belly (for the free arm).

If she can lie on her back, slightly raise the legs, to relieve pressure on the lower back. Work with your patient, making sure she knows that she can speak up in case she needs to move or, as often happens, she needs to get up to pee halfway through the treatment.

How to book an appointment

If you like what you have read here, and think that you may know someone who could benefit from a massage during pregnancy, send her my way! I have an intuitive and easy-to-use booking system that allows you to choose your time and date.

I can also prepare a gift card for your loved one. Just drop me a line at rosetintyourlife (at) gmail (dot) com and I will get back to you. You can also use the Whatsapp button on the bottom right of your screen.

Pregnancy massage at Rose Tint Your Life

At Rose Tint Your Life, I am here to help you live your best life in plenitude and wellness. Here’s to your good health!

-Rachel

Edible clays: An ancient healing practice of consuming certain types of clay (10/2023)

Edible Clays

Edible Clays

History

Clays have been used both externally and internally for many centuries.

Humans have been using clay for receptacles and for construction since time immemorial. Cave paintings in places like France and Spain are often made of mixtures of clay and other materials. People working with clay would undoubtedly have noticed the drying and healing effect that it has on skin. The earliest recorded medicinal uses of clay come from the Mesopotamian societies that flourished over 3,500 years ago.

Is clay not just dirt?

Clay differs from soil in one important way: the particles are much smaller, smaller than 2 µm. Since the particles are so tiny, the relative surface area of clay is very large. This is what gives clays their many wonderful properties.

There are at least two points that make clay minerals so active in natural processes, and became the key for their wide applications: (a) The very large surface area that arises from the tiny size of the particles (nanoscale), and (b) The fact that those particles are electrically charged, leading to relatively strong electrostatic interactions.

Clay Minerals as an Ancient Nanotechnology: Historical Uses of Clay Organic Interactions, and Future Possible Perspective (https://t.ly/vwpUfs)

Pelotherapy

The term “application of mud to the body for therapeutic purposes) has been in use since 1934. Since the external use of clays has such a long history, naturally, there existed many names for the practice. They coined the term “Pelotherapy” as an umbrella under which all the other mud therapy names could nestle.

Peloid, from the Greek TTAOS ( = mud), was adopted by the International Society of Medical Hydrology at its recent annual meeting in Switzerland as a generic name applicable to any naturally produced medium such as is used in medical practice as a cataplasm for external treatment. Such media are known in the various countries as boue, fango, gyttja, liman, moor, mud, peat, schlamm, etc., these names being used in confusion for both specific media and in a generic sense. The new word, with its derivatives pelology and pelotherapy, will avoid this confusion and allow the local terms to be defined and used in their restricted sense. 

https://www.nature.com/articles/133288a0

Geophagy

Geophagy is the practice of eating earth materials containing clay minerals.

Edible clays, for internal use, need to be sterilized using heat and pressure, such as autoclaving or steaming.

Different cultures consume clays in different ways. of course, this post is for information purposes only. Consult your healthcare provider before using clays for healing or detoxing.

Edible Clays:  An ancient practice that is still alive today.

Gut health and clay

The importance of maintaining a healthy intestinal microbiome cannot be overstated. More and more research shows that the gut-mind connection is real. Serotonin is mainly produced in the gut. Inflammation in the colon directly affects the liver via the hepatic-portal circulation. A sluggish liver predisposes us to all sorts of metabolic problems. So, using edible clays, if it is appropriate, can be a huge part of any preventative medicine program.

The gut provides approximately 95% of total body serotonin, most of which exists in plasma. Although serotonin has intrinsic roles in the intestines and peripheral metabolism, it is capable of locally activating afferent nerve endings that are connected directly to the central nerve system.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6469458/

Types of Edible Clays

There are probably loads of different clays that can be consumed. I only have experience with bentonite clay (at a detox retreat in Thailand) and green clay (nowadays).

Clay Chemistry

Clays are minerals. This implies that the particles are not tightly connected like molecules, but rather they are held together by electrostatic forces within a well-defined structure. Minerals form crystals when they are arranged in regular, repeating sheets. That is why you can “shear” a crystal, or cut it along its fault line. It’s why a diamond can be faceted.

Montmorillinite is a mineral with the chemical formula Al2H2O12Si4 (Aluminum, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Silica). Bentonite is a type of clay that contains the mineral montmorillinite.

Montmorillonite is a subclass of smectite and a natural aluminomagnesium silicate clay, with potential protective effect for the digestive tract mucosa, and anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal activities. Although the exact mechanism of action has yet to be fully elucidated, upon administration, montmorillonite may adsorb bacteria, bacterial enterotoxins, viruses and other potentially diarrheagenic substances. It may also bind to mucin and modify mucus properties, thereby enhancing the mucus barrier function.

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/71586775

French green clay

This is my favourite clay for everyday use. As it comes from France, quality control (QC) is assured. QC is important for sterilization and checking if the clay is free of contaminants.

I simply place a small amount of clay in a glass of water and leave it to soak overnight. In the morning, I drink the cloudy water, and leave the settled clay behind. Please, don’t gulp down the solid matter – this can cause blockage in the intestines.

Documentary: Eat White Dirt

And, so I leave you with this curious documentary that I came across while researching this post. Apparently, Georgia has abundant edible clays, but rather oddly, kaolin is the mineral of choice for these ladies.