{"id":4115,"date":"2018-12-26T15:02:24","date_gmt":"2018-12-26T15:02:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mybodycanhealitself.ca\/wordpress\/?p=4115"},"modified":"2020-05-14T11:50:24","modified_gmt":"2020-05-14T11:50:24","slug":"the-gift-of-a-healthy-brain-strategies-to-protect-and-restore-optimum-brain-function","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/mybodycanhealitself.ca\/wordpress\/the-gift-of-a-healthy-brain-strategies-to-protect-and-restore-optimum-brain-function\/","title":{"rendered":"THE GIFT of a Healthy Brain: Strategies to Protect and Restore Optimum Brain Function"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"changeyourbrain\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated February 25, 2020<\/p>\n

As many of my friends, family and clients know, I have had my brain challenges.\u00a0 The good news is that my brain now functions better than it ever has in the past and I intend to make sure it stays that way. My brain and I are a work in progress, just like a play dough creation. Some people’s brain challenges are visible while others are well hidden. Either way, there may be times when your brain may have some setbacks. Do not despair or lose hope. Wherever you are on your brain recovery, the information and strategies that I share about my recovery can help you. Brain neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to adapt and change. The brain is plastic at all ages (think playdough)<\/p>\n

\"playdough\"<\/a><\/p>\n

so we can continue to learn and create changes in our brains and nervous systems throughout our lives. You can change your brain by implementing strategies that increase\u00a0brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which plays an important role in neuronal survival and growth, serves as a neurotransmitter modulator, and participates in neuronal plasticity, which is essential for learning and memory. As you read on you will find research about essential oils that promote the increase of BDNF naturally.\u00a0 While a healthy, active lifestyle is a main contributing factor for increasing BDNF naturally, there are many researched botanicals, foods and herbs<\/a> that also naturally promote increased levels of BDNF.<\/p>\n

My past periods of depression and compromised brain function were the result of various factors including, body and brain pollution from toxins, toxicant induced loss of tolerance (TILT), stress and stress sensitization, and lack of life balance and resilience.\u00a0 As a teenager I pumped leaded gasoline at my father\u2019s gas station.\u00a0 I started to suffer from depression at that time.\u00a0 While investigating my depression equation later in life, when I once again suffered from depression after off gassing of a new house, I made the environmental pollution connection. You can read about how I was affected by all of these in my blog posts<\/a> and website ‘about<\/a>‘ page. I am grateful for the information, guidance and natural strategies that have helped to restore my brain and body health.<\/p>\n

With the looming statistics for depression, dementia (which my mother suffered from) and Alzheimers, and the deep compassion I feel for anyone who has brain challenges;\u00a0 my focus moving forward is on preventing mental decline as I age and helping others to do the same.<\/p>\n

What did it take to restore and improve my brain to better health?\u00a0What am I doing to protect my brain?<\/h1>\n