https://www.facebook.com/395624670300713/

The Nutrition Nerd YMM, Fort McMurray, AB (2026)

02/01/2026

🥵 𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 — 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲
(𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆’𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀)

Most people panic at the first sign of a fever. But here’s the truth your doctor probably didn’t explain: A fever is not the virus attacking you.

A fever is your immune system turning up the heat on purpose — a coordinated defence strategy designed to slow infection and activate immune cells.

Let’s break this down clearly and calmly 👇
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🔥 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻

Your immune cells release cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α) →
Your hypothalamus raises your body’s “set point” →

Your temperature climbs so you can:
• Slow viral replication
• Improve white blood cell movement
• Increase interferon activity
• Make the immune response more efficient

A fever = part of your treatment, not the enemy!
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🌡️ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵

A stronger fever can happen if:
• Immune response is strong
• Viral load is high
• You're dehydrated
• Electrolytes drop
• You’re sleep-deprived or stressed
• Magnesium or sodium are low
• You bundle up or trap heat

Young adults often run the highest fevers because their immune signalling is robust.
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😵‍💫 𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 & 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀

Fever-induced hallucinations come from:
1️⃣ Heat changing brain signalling
Neurons misfire when too warm →
dreamlike thinking, distortions, disorientation.

2️⃣ Cytokines affecting neurotransmitters
Cytokines cross into the brain →
alter dopamine, glutamate, serotonin →
you get “delirium-like” episodes.

3️⃣ Dehydration & electrolyte loss
Low sodium, potassium, magnesium worsen confusion (that’s why it’s important to stay hydrated with minerals)

4️⃣ Sleep disruption
High fever collapses REM sleep →
the brain slips between sleep & wake states.

💡 These episodes are temporary, reversible, and not psychiatric.
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🚨 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

Seek medical care if:
• Fever stays above 40°C / 104°F
• Hallucinations continue after fever resolves
• Stiff neck, seizures, trouble waking
• Breathing difficulty

These are red flags — most fevers are not.
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🧬 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗𝗡’𝗧 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮 𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿

You can let a fever work when:
• It’s mild to moderate
• You’re hydrated
• Your mind is clear
• You can rest
• No red flags are present

Suppressing every small fever can actually:
• Prolong illness
• Increase viral shedding
• Delay resolution
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🧯 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗦 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗳𝘂𝗹

It’s appropriate when:
• Fever is very high or unrelenting
• Confusion escalates
• You can’t hydrate
• Sleep is impossible
• You have a heart/lung/neurological condition

This protects the brain, heart, minerals, and mitochondria when demand exceeds capacity.

Medications aren’t bad — they just need to be used strategically, not reflexively.
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🌿 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿

These help your body regulate temperature without blocking the immune response:
✔ Hydration & ELECTROLYTES
Sodium and potassium matter just as much as water.

✔ Light clothing
Don’t trap heat.

✔ Cool (not cold) room
Avoid ice baths or aggressive cooling.

✔ Honey, broth, juice
Your body needs glucose to fuel the immune response.

✔ Tepid cloth on forehead
Does not shut down fever, just increases comfort.

✔ Herbs (gentle!)
• Lemon balm
• Elderflower
• Peppermint
• Chamomile

These support comfort, sweating, relaxation, and temperature regulation
(not medical fever suppression)
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🔋 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲
If you rarely get fevers anymore, it can be a sign of:
• Low thyroid output
• Chronic inflammation
• High cortisol
• Mitochondrial depletion
• Long-term antipyretic use
• Mineral deficiencies (Mg, Zn, Cu)

Weak fevers = longer recovery

Strong but short fevers = cleaner resolution
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⭐ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆
𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 — 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲.

A fever says: “I’m using heat to help you. Support me, don’t panic”

If you stay hydrated, support electrolytes, rest, and watch for red flags, a fever can actually shorten your illness, not prolong it.

01/31/2026

𝗗𝗔𝗢: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘇𝘆𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀
(𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘆𝗲𝘁)

If you struggle with anxiety spikes, insomnia, itching, flushing, headaches, irritability, or the “wired but tired” feeling… 𝗗𝗔𝗢 (𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘀𝗲) might be the missing piece!

DAO is the enzyme that clears histamine in your gut and tissues.

When it’s low → histamine builds → your nervous system feels like it’s on high alert!

Here’s how to support it 👇
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𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗔𝗢 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝘄
(𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 “𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲”)

• 𝗦𝗹𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲: DAO relies on healthy villi & bile signaling
• 𝗟𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿 / 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗻: DAO is a copper enzyme
• 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝘆𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Makes histamine harder to clear
• 𝗨𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿-𝗴𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝘆𝘀𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀: Histamine-producing bacteria
• 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Increases histamine
• 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 & 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘃𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲: Histamine rises with cortisol
• 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗔𝗢: PPIs, SSRIs/SNRIs, antihistamines (rebound!)

DAO issues = terrain issues. Not a personal failure or weak tolerance.
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𝗦𝗼 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗼 𝗪𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝗔𝗢?
Here’s what actually helps — long before supplements.

✔ 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
Because sluggish bile = sluggish DAO.
• Warm meals
• Sunflower lecithin
• Gentle bitters (not strong!)
• Walking after meals
• Hydration & electrolytes
• Lymph support first

✔ 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗗𝗔𝗢
(through FOOD or low, gentle supplementation)
• Copper-rich foods (oysters, beef liver, cacao)
• Vitamin C (but not mega-doses)
• Magnesium
• Sodium & potassium
• Folinic acid, B2, small B1

✔ 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱
• Cooked foods > raw
• Fewer aged/fermented foods if sensitive
• Balance meals with protein & carbs
• Avoid high-sulfur supplements if they flare you
• Nervous system regulation
• Better sleep = better histamine control (like it’s that simple though, LOL)

✔ 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗴𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻
• Identify histamine-producing bacteria
• Increase gut motility
• Support stomach acid gently
• Repair villi (zinc carnosine, glutamine if tolerated, cooked foods, low stress)

✔ 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗔𝗢 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
DAO capsules help in the moment, especially before:
• Restaurant meals
• Wine/cheese
• Leftovers
• High-histamine foods

But they are NOT a long-term fix. They’re a bridge while the terrain heals.
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⭐ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲
Low DAO doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your bile, minerals, gut, hormones, & nervous system need a little teamwork.

When you support the terrain, DAO rises naturally — and histamine triggers get way quieter.

If you want help exploring your histamine or DAO terrain, my DMs are open 💛

01/30/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻
(𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 “𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴”) 🧬

Quick personal note because transparency matters:
I’m starting to get a few grey hairs myself. I’ll be 40 in a few months, so honestly… that part isn’t shocking.

I don’t mind going a bit silver — I’m not exactly aiming for “polished and put together” anyway. My hair is curly, does whatever it wants, and is usually one step away from chaos on a good day. Grey hairs are really just adding to the enthusiasm at this point 😂

That said, I’d love to slow the process down a bit — not because I’m trying to reverse aging, but because it’s interesting terrain information. Hair changes tell you a lot about redox status, minerals, thyroid signaling, and nervous system load.

So no, I’m not trying to become a fashion icon or pretend I won’t look like an aging forest creature at some point (silver fox might be generous… elder sasquatch is probably more accurate 🫠)

But I am interested in supporting my biology well and seeing what’s possible.

Because as always — it’s nuanced!

Greying isn’t random — it happens when melanocytes (the cells that give hair its pigment) slow down or stop working.

And why they slow down is the interesting part!

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 👇
• Oxidative stress
Hair follicles are mitochondria-dense. When oxidative stress is high, hydrogen peroxide builds up in the follicle → pigment production shuts down.

• Copper (but functional copper)
It’s not just about taking copper. It has to be absorbed, bound to ceruloplasmin, and usable. You can supplement copper and still be functionally deficient.

• B vitamins & methylation balance
Melanin production is methylation-dependent. Low B12, low folate (folinic/food-based), or low B2 can all contribute.

• Thyroid signaling
Hair follicles are thyroid-sensitive. You don’t need full-blown hypothyroidism — suboptimal signaling is enough.

• Stress & nervous system tone
Chronic stress literally depletes melanocyte stem cells. This one is very real, very physical, and very well documented.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 🧠
• supporting antioxidant systems (redox > megadoses)
• making copper usable (protein, vitamin A, bile flow, balanced zinc)
• checking “forgotten” nutrients like B2
• supporting thyroid through habits (food, warmth, carbs, light)
• nervous system regulation (non-negotiable)

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ✨
Total reversal? Rare.
Slowing progression, darker roots, better hair quality? Very possible.

🤓 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆
Grey hairs aren’t just about age...

They’re a redox + mineral + thyroid + nervous system story.

And yes — it’s nuanced 😉

01/29/2026

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀, 𝗘𝗠𝗙𝘀 & 𝗦𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 ❄️🛌
𝗔 𝗡𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲

I was recently considering buying a heated blanket because when my partner is on nights, I hate getting into a cold bed — especially in winter 🥶

But I remembered reading a while back that sleeping with them turned on isn’t always a great idea, so I did a little refresher dive.

Here’s the grounded, non-alarmist version:
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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝘆 “𝗘𝗠𝗙𝘀” 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 ⚡

Heated blankets use alternating current (AC) running through long wires, which creates:
• Electric fields (voltage-related)
• Magnetic fields (current-related)

The magnetic field is the main focus because:
• It passes through the body
• It’s harder to shield
• It sits right against you for hours

This is low-frequency (ELF) EMF — not 5G, Wi-Fi, or cell phone radiation.
________________________________________
𝗜𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀? 🤔

There’s no strong evidence that modern heated blankets cause disease when used normally. However:
• Older designs produced higher magnetic fields
• Long overnight exposure increases cumulative dose
• Some sensitive people notice sleep disruption, agitation, or heart rate changes

So the concern isn’t “this will harm you” — it’s more: Does this subtly stress the nervous system or circadian signaling over time?

For people already dealing with:
• ADHD
• Histamine issues
• Fragile sleep
• Winter stress / low light

…those small inputs can matter.
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 🧠

1️⃣ Pre-warming ≠ sleeping on it
Using a heated blanket to warm the bed, then turning it off:
• EMF exposure stops once it’s off
• Warmth stays
• Zero real downside

This is the sweet spot 👌

2️⃣ Newer blankets are much better
Modern models usually have:
• Thinner wiring
• Lower current draw
• Better insulation
• Auto shut-off (2–10 hrs)

Older (pre-2000s) blankets were the real offenders.

3️⃣ Distance matters
EMF strength drops fast with distance:
• Wrapped around the torso = higher exposure
• Over legs or feet = much lower nervous system impact
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𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝘀𝗲 (𝗻𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁) ✅
Best-case setup:
• Pre-heat the bed
• Turn it off before sleep
• Unplug if you’re extra sensitive
• Keep it below chest level if used briefly
• Choose auto shut-off

Want warmth all night with near-zero EMF?
• Hot water bottle ♨️
• Microwavable heat pack
• Heavier natural fibre duvet (wool is amazing for thermoregulation)
• Heated mattress pad (often lower EMF than blankets, design-dependent)
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𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 “𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗘𝗠𝗙” 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 🛑
Be cautious.

Many:
• Don’t meaningfully reduce magnetic fields
• Can trap electric fields
• Cause heat buildup or discomfort

I wouldn’t prioritize these…
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𝗡𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 🧠❄️
Cold itself is a sympathetic stressor. For many people, winter cold is more disruptive than low-level EMF exposure.

So the real question is: Does warmth help your system settle and sleep better?
If yes, using warmth intelligently is usually a net win.
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🤓 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 💤
• Heated blankets aren’t inherently dangerous
• EMF risk is low but not zero
• Pre-warming & turning it off is ideal
• Cold stress is often the bigger issue
• Health isn’t just food & supplements — it’s also the products we use at home

Nuance > fear. Support the terrain you’re actually living in!

01/27/2026

🍄🧠 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲… 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀
(And why SSRIs + mushrooms is never safe — even if you “felt fine” once)
________________________________________
I was chatting with a client recently about SSRI tapering, and medicinal mushrooms came up. Long story short: She had a terrible experience, while I had a very positive one years ago.

So let’s talk about it — because your brain chemistry determines everything, and people need real education on this.

And before we go any further:
⚠️ Please do NOT combine SSRIs with mushrooms — even the legal, microdose, dispensary versions.

⚠️ Do NOT mix SSRIs and alcohol either.
I cannot tell anyone to quit their medication — and I never will — but if you are tapering and want support, I can help you understand symptoms and how to talk to your doctor.

Now… let’s break down why our experiences were so different.
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🧬 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

1️⃣ “Dopamine-Dominant / ADHD Terrain” (This is me 😅💚)

People with this brain type usually have:
• Lower baseline serotonin
• Higher dopamine and glutamate
• Fast processing
• Higher stress resilience
• SSRIs often “don’t do much”
• Psychedelics tend to feel grounding, insightful, calming
• SSRI withdrawal is more neurological (zaps) than emotional collapse

👉 This type of brain often tolerates mushrooms surprisingly well.

👉 This is likely why I didn’t have serotonin toxicity when I used mushrooms and Paxil years ago (still NOT recommended!)
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2️⃣ “Serotonin-Dominant / High-Anxiety Terrain” (This was my client)
These brains have:
• Higher baseline serotonin tone
• Low dopamine drive
• Higher cortisol
• More sensory sensitivity
• SSRIs hit harder
• Withdrawal is more severe
• Psychedelics can easily push serotonin too high

👉 When you stack SSRIs and mushrooms?

You can trigger serotonin toxicity. Yes, extremely dangerous!

This is what happened to her: ER-level distress!
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3️⃣ “GABA-Depleted / Glutamate-Spiking Terrain”
Many people with chronic anxiety, trauma or long-term medication use fall here:
• Very low GABA
• Very high glutamate
• Prone to shaking, nausea, hot/cold swings
• Easily overstimulated
• Alcohol “helps”, but only temporarily (and often rebounds harder)

👉 Mushrooms and SSRIs + alcohol = neurochemical chaos for this group!
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⚠️ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗦𝗥𝗜𝗦 & 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲
Psilocybin (mushrooms) hits 5-HT2A serotonin receptors extremely hard.

Paxil/Zoloft/Lexapro/Prozac raise serotonin tone and block reuptake.

Put them together:
➡️ Risk of serotonin toxicity
➡️ Overheating
➡️ Panic, hallucinations, disorientation
➡️ Blood pressure swings
➡️ ER visits
➡️ Dangerous physiological instability

Your baseline brain chemistry determines whether you react mildly, intensely, or dangerously — but the risk is always present.
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🍷 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗦𝗥𝗜𝗦 + 𝗔𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗹 = 𝗮 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗼
Alcohol temporarily boosts GABA (which feels relaxing)…

…but then rebounds hard, spiking glutamate and cortisol.

SSRIs already disrupt:
• Serotonin signaling
• Sleep architecture
• Dopamine balance
• Emotional stability

Layering alcohol on top:
➡️ worse anxiety
➡️ worse depression
➡️ worse sleep
➡️ worse withdrawal
➡️ more emotional volatility
➡️ higher risk of blackouts or instability

This combo hits people very differently depending on terrain.
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🤝 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
I will never tell anyone to stop their medication.

But if you are tapering, or you want guidance on:
• Managing symptoms
• Preparing the nervous system
• Supporting your terrain through the process
• Talking with your doctor
• Knowing when to seek a new prescriber
• Understanding your brain’s neurotransmitter patterns

…I can help.

Because no one should go through this alone, and very few clinicians understand withdrawal biology well enough to guide people safely.
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🤓 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆
Psychedelics don’t affect everyone the same way.

Your serotonin baseline, dopamine drive, GABA/Glutamate balance, and stress hormones determine whether mushrooms feel:
✨ healing
😬 overwhelming
🔥 or downright dangerous

01/27/2026

🧠 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 “𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗦𝗥𝗜 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂?” 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲
(𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀)

Here’s the truth no one tells you 👉

Your brain chemistry is as unique as your fingerprint!

Two people can take the exact same medication and have completely different outcomes:
• One feels calm
• One feels numb
• One feels wired
• One gets side effects
• One gets nothing but brain zaps
• One feels amazing… until they don’t

It’s not the med.
It’s neurotransmitter terrain.

Let’s break it down without the psych jargon 👇

🌤 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗿𝘂𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆

There is NO “one-size-fits-all” brain.

Most people naturally lean toward patterns like:
• serotonin-dominant
• dopamine-dominant
• GABA-depleted
• glutamate-fast
• acetylcholine-driven
• or a mix

These aren’t diagnoses — this is biology.

Your emotional stability depends on the systems your brain relies on.

⚡ 𝗠𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘃𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲’𝘀 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆)

𝗠𝗬 terrain looks like:
• dopamine-driven
• glutamate-fast
• sensitive but quick-thinking
• low-GABA without support
• serotonin-light
• acetylcholine-responsive

So for me:
✔ SSRIs feel flat
✔ stimulants worked… until my terrain was depleted
✔ lecithin, psychedelics, taurine, glycine, theanine feel amazing
✔ rhodiola, serotonin herbs, antihistamines feel awful
✔ I regulate best through dopamine clarity + GABA + acetylcholine + movement + daylight + minerals + bile flow

THIS is why herbs work so well — you can tailor them to this exact terrain.

🌤 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲

A serotonin-dominant person may:
• feel amazing on SSRIs
• love serotonin herbs
• struggle with withdrawal
• hate psychedelics
• get overwhelmed by dopamine-heavy meds

Different chemistry = different medication experience.

🧠 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 “𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂?” 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸

“What worked for me” applies ONLY to my terrain.

It has nothing to do with yours.

Your “perfect med” could wreck someone else.

Their miracle drug could make you numb, anxious, wired, or flat.

So, comparing chemical experiences like they’re universal doesn't make sense!

🌿 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀

Herbs aren’t one-note.
They don’t slam one neurotransmitter.

They gently support patterns like:
✔ high or low serotonin
✔ dopamine depletion
✔ fast glutamate
✔ low GABA
✔ ADHD terrain
✔ trauma terrain
✔ sensory overwhelm

You can’t tailor an SSRI.
But you can tailor herbs.

💬 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 🤓
Your brain chemistry = your terrain.

Ask yourself:
“What calms me vs flattens me?”
“Do I run hot or cold?”
“What actually regulates me?”
“What feels grounding?”
“What feels overstimulating?”

This is how you build support that fits your biology.

If you want help decoding your neurotransmitter terrain (gentle, non-diagnostic, terrain-based), message me anytime 💛

01/26/2026

🎥 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 — 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼

Quick housekeeping note before you watch 👇

Apologies for the echo — I reorganized my office and clearly discovered that sound now travels. Still learning the video side of things, and I’m choosing progress over perfection… at least for now 😅

Also, you may hear some background noise — we finally have snow clearing happening. Small business life in winter ❄️

In this short video, I’m introducing nervous system regulation, because if you feel:
• Wired but tired
• Overwhelmed but not dramatic
• Like your body reacts before your brain can catch up

This often isn’t a mindset issue. It’s a nervous system & energy issue.

Your nervous system doesn’t care about happiness — it cares about safety.

When the body feels safe, digestion works, sleep improves, and emotions move through.
When it doesn’t, even from subtle or chronic stress, the system shifts into survival mode — which can show up as anxiety, irritability, tension, or constant edge.

One framework I really like (and reference here) comes from Chris Masterjohn — where anxiety is viewed as an energy signal.

When mitochondria struggle to make enough ATP, the brain gets the message:

“We don’t have enough energy to feel safe”

Anxiety isn’t a personality flaw — it’s often a biochemical warning.

This is why nutrients matter so much.

Minerals, electrolytes, amino acids, B vitamins, fats — these are the raw materials your nervous system needs to regulate.

You can do breathwork and grounding all day long, but if the body doesn’t have the materials to respond, the signal doesn’t land.

Breathing still matters too — a lot. Slow, deep, nasal breathing is one of the strongest safety signals your body understands. Oxygen = safety.

I also briefly touch on gentle supports.

The herbs shown in the video include:
• Chamomile
• Passionflower
• Valerian
• Milky oats
• California poppy
• American skullcap
• Lemon balm

As well as Rescue Remedy (original & night version)

These are just examples — there are many herbs and tools out there, and none are one-size-fits-all. They’re about signalling safety, not forcing calm.

This video is just an introduction. I’ll break this down more in future posts and videos — slowly, practically, and without overwhelm.

You don’t need to fix your nervous system.
You need to support it.

And if your body feels like it’s been on high alert for a long time — you’re not broken.
It’s been doing its job for too long!

01/26/2026

🌟 𝗡𝗔𝗗⁺: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗜𝘀, 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 “𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿”, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 🧬
(𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗶𝘀… 𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 😉)

NAD⁺ is having a moment.

Every supplement company is yelling:
“𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮!”
“𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲!”

…But almost none of them explain what NAD⁺ actually is — or how your body really uses it.

Let’s fix that 👇
________________________________________
⚡ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗔𝗗⁺ 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀
NAD⁺ is a coenzyme used for:
• Energy production (ATP)
• Repairing DNA
• Running sirtuins (longevity proteins)
• Redox balance & mitochondrial signalling

You cannot make ATP efficiently without NAD⁺. But here’s the truth most marketing skips…
________________________________________
💉 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗩 / 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗡𝗔𝗗⁺ “𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁”?
Yes… and no.

It’s nuanced 😉

IV NAD⁺ sounds magical because clinics tell you:
“𝟭𝟬𝟬% 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 — 𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀!”

But biochemically… that’s not possible!

NAD⁺ is too large to enter cells.

It cannot cross the cell membrane intact.

So when you inject NAD⁺, your body immediately breaks it down into:
• Nicotinamide (NAM)
• Adenosine
• Smaller pieces

…which the cell then uses to rebuild NAD⁺ internally through the salvage pathway.
👉 So IV doesn’t “deliver NAD⁺ into cells”

It delivers precursors in disguise.

Still useful — but not the magic people think, or that companies try to sell!
________________________________________
🧪 𝗦𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀?
No — it can be helpful, because:
• It bypasses digestion
• It gives a big bolus of NAM quickly
• It can temporarily raise NAD⁺
• It’s used clinically for addiction recovery, burnout, withdrawal, etc.

But…

It’s still not “pure NAD⁺ going into mitochondria”

Even IV therapy can’t hack that.
________________________________________
🧴 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗲: 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 “𝗡𝗔𝗗⁺” 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀
Most NAD⁺ supplements aren’t NAD⁺ at all.

They’re precursors, usually:
• NMN
• NR (nicotinamide riboside)
• NAM (nicotinamide)

Companies often use packaging tricks to make it look like NAD⁺… but if you read the fine print — it’s a precursor.

👉 But that’s actually GOOD!

Your body prefers to build its own NAD⁺, not absorb pre-made NAD⁺. This keeps the pathway regulated and safe.
________________________________________
🔥 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗔𝗗⁺ 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 (𝗻𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱)

These are actually the most powerful NAD⁺ boosters:
☀️ Morning sunlight (activates NAMPT, the rate-limiting enzyme for NAD⁺)
🚶‍♀️ Exercise (muscle contractions increase NAD⁺ recycling)
⏳ Fasting / time-restricted eating
💪 Cold exposure (mild hormetic stress increases NAD⁺ salvage pathway)
💡 Red & infrared light (supports cytochrome function & NAD⁺ regeneration)
😴 Good sleep (poor sleep tanks NAD⁺ levels FAST)
🍗 Adequate protein (tryptophan pathway also contributes to NAD⁺)

You cannot out-supplement poor mitochondria. Lifestyle inputs matter more than powders.
________________________________________
🧠 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲
IV NAD⁺ ≠ NAD⁺ going into your cells.

Oral NAD⁺ ≠ NAD⁺ going into your cells.

Patches, sprays, dissolvable tabs… same deal.

Your body always breaks NAD⁺ down → then rebuilds it.

So whether you use IV, NMN, NR, or lifestyle tools, the real goal is: Support the salvage pathway and your mitochondria’s natural ability to generate NAD⁺

01/25/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻?
(𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁-𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗕𝗣 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿) 🩺⚡

“White coat hypertension” is when your blood pressure looks high at the doctor’s office, but is normal at home. It happens because walking into a clinic triggers a mini stress response — even if you don’t consciously feel nervous.

Your body instantly releases:
• Adrenaline → tightens your vessels
• Cortisol → increases fluid retention
• Aldosterone → tells your kidneys to hold sodium & water

This combo can spike your BP in under a minute.

You’re totally safe — but your body goes into “prepare for evaluation” mode. It’s extremely common.
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𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗳 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘁 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻)
✔️ Your BP is high at the doctor
✔️ But normal or much lower at home
✔️ Especially normal in the evenings
✔️ You feel rushed or “observed” at appointments
✔️ You don’t feel anxious, but your body reacts anyway

The nervous system reacts to pressure, not just fear.
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𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁-𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 📊

If you’re working on blood pressure — or want accurate information — relying on clinic readings can give you false highs, leading to:
• Unnecessary worry
• Misdiagnosis
• Wrong medication decisions
• Confusion about what’s actually helping you

At-home readings show your real-life BP, not your “doctor’s office BP”. This matters even more if you’re working on:
• Stress reduction
• Thyroid or adrenal support
• Sleep
• Liver/bile flow
• Electrolytes
• Insulin regulation

These don’t always show up during a rushed appointment, but they show up at home.
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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗜 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲) 🏠💗

My partner has high-ish BP, so I bought an Omron BP monitor on Amazon. It’s accurate, cost-effective, and has a few huge perks:
• Saves data for two people
• Syncs to an app
• Automatically logs readings
• You don’t have to write anything down
• Perfect for busy or forgetful humans

Consistent at-home tracking shows patterns you’d never notice from office readings alone. I don’t sell blood pressure monitors or have any affiliation — I’m just sharing the one I personally use and like.
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🤓 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆
If you’re working on blood pressure, an at-home monitor is non-negotiable. It gives you real data, prevents misinterpretation, and helps your protocol actually work.

Doctor’s offices give you a number shaped by adrenaline. Your home gives you the truth!

01/24/2026

🧠 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝘂𝗺𝗽
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 (𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀) 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸

I’ve been watching a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with Chris Masterjohn (I finally got to finish watching it on YouTube, it’s been a busy last few weeks), and honestly… it hits a lot of themes I see over and over again!

A few highlights that really stood out 👇

• Sleep isn’t about willpower — it’s about mitochondrial recovery

Poor sleep isn’t just “being tired”. It’s your cells struggling to rebuild energy. Deep sleep is where mitochondria repair, reorganize, and reset.

• Post-meal sleepiness ≠ tryptophan or turkey myths

That heavy, sleepy feeling after eating is more about overeating & parasympathetic activation, not magic amino acids. Big meals signal safety → rest!

• Creatine isn’t just for gym bros

It acts more like an energy buffer and distribution system — supporting the brain, nervous system, digestion, and even recovery from sleep deprivation or brain injury.

• Aging isn’t just ‘getting old’

Roughly 75% of mitochondrial decline is lifestyle-modifiable. Energy loss, poor recovery, hormone shifts, and even anxiety often trace back to energy misallocation, not lack of calories.

• Red light, movement complexity, and skill matter

It’s not just cardio. Balance, coordination, strength, and varied movement seem to support different mitochondrial networks — especially in the brain.

• Some supplements only help in very specific cases

Things like methylene blue or high-dose CoQ10 can be powerful — or backfire — depending on mitochondrial status. Context matters. A lot.

Lots of great discussion about seed oils, cholesterol and atherosclerosis as well!

📣The big takeaway for me (and my work):
Health problems don’t usually start with not enough nutrients

They start with poor energy production and poor energy use!

That lens explains so much — from burnout and anxiety to digestive issues, hormone weirdness, and poor resilience.

I’ll drop the episode link in the comments if you want to listen 🎧

Fair warning: it’s a nerdy one — but in the best way, and it’s fairly easy to understand!

🤓 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆:
If you’re tired, wired, inflamed, reactive, or stuck — the question isn’t always what are you missing? It’s often where is your energy getting stuck or misdirected!

𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗜 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴!

The Nutrition Nerd YMM

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