Justin Bethoney NP - Functional Medicine Psychiatry

07/06/2022

12/01/2021

08/14/2021

We've been hearing about omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil for decades at this point. That's good news/bad news.

The good news is that science has been churning out research year after year on the benefits of omega-3's. Now there is a wealth of information about the benefits for our overall health, including our mental health.

The bad news is that at this point in time omega-3's and fish oils are boring to talk about.

So let's add a little drama back into the conversation...

Remember The Supernanny show? Lots of good reality TV drama there.

Well, it turns out that omega-3's and the Supernanny actually have a lot in common.

Both can help our brains (and our children's brains) function better.

Like the Supernanny does for chaotic families, omega-3's improve structure, communication, and limits in the brain.

Intersted yet?

Check out the new blog to learn more...

https://www.justinbethoneynp.com/post/omega-3-s-for-kids-with-adhd-do-they-help

02/16/2021

Skip breakfast, pass on lunch, lose our cookies...

Going long periods without eating is harmful to our brains. Even though we feel “fine” and actually oddly strong & energetic, we are paying a high price. In order to keep going, we have to run on stress hormones like epinephrine & cortisol

The result? All that excess epinephrine & cortisol can rewrite our brains...

Check out new blog post to learn more...

https://www.justinbethoneynp.com/post/lowbloodglucose

Skipping breakfast, or going without food intake for long periods of time can be problematic for our concentration, sleep, and mood. To keep going on low blood glucose we have to access stress hormones, which sets us up for problems with our brain function and mental health.

09/30/2020

The Mental Wellness Diet book is now available in paperback 😀💡🧠🙌🏼

If you’re curious about how the food we eat effects how we think and feel, definitely give this book a read!

It took the better part of a year to research and write, but I’m excited to announce that the paperback version is finally out!

Hope you enjoy learning more about brain chemistry and how to feel and function better👌

https://www.amazon.com/Mental-Wellness-Diet-Ancient-Evolving/dp/0578747731

The Mental Wellness Diet: Ancient Wisdom - Evolving Science - Modern Day Options

09/25/2020

08/04/2020

05/08/2020

When you’re busy, there’s little time (and zero patience) for “low battery mode” on your phone.

Am I right?

Low screen brightness is no good when I’m trying to pick the right filter for my sunset pic?

Can’t stay up-to-date on emails without auto-fetching?

I look away from the phone for one second and... the screen is locked and I have to use my face to get back in?

What gives?

We don’t have time for all that slowness. We need energy and we need productivity. We need that from our phones… and from ourselves.

Why is it that sometimes it feels like our bodies and brains are trying to sabotage us in this way?

Low battery mode is about saving what energy the phone still has left so that it can stay on longer… and still be there when you need it for basic functions.

Our bodies have a similar “low battery mode” function.

When we are sick or stressed, our immune system sends cues to our brain… telling it to downshift our energy levels from green to yellow (or red).

The cues come in the form of inflammatory cytokines (messengers). They alert the brain when something in our bodies is off.

Once inside the brain, these messengers also mess around with our dopamine signals. They pull back the throttle on the creation and release of dopamine, and increase the reuptake (storing away) of dopamine.

Dopamine lives in some very important thinking and feeling areas of our brain. It is responsible for shaping our mood, giving us drive and motivation, and helping us to think through problems.

It also manages the quick mental math of how much effort something will require versus how awesome it will be after we put in that effort and get the reward.

When our bodies (and then brains) succumb to chronic inflammation… our dopamine signaling goes off line.

All of a sudden, simple tasks, we know are easy, feel like they will require a monumental effort. Our bodies are holding us back… but also trying to protect us.

Just like your phone, it wants to save your energy for what it feels is more important stuff… healing, repair, basic survival.

How do we fix this?!? Start with self-forgiveness:) Then, get to work on improving your health!