🌿 Reclaiming Vitality: Metabolic Hypogonadism, Hormones, and the Foundations of Health

In a world that often treats fatigue, low libido, and emotional burnout as just part of “modern life,”  many women & men are unknowingly living with a condition that has a name: metabolic hypogonadism. While traditionally associated with men, this hormone-disrupting condition is increasingly recognized in women—especially those navigating obesity, insulin resistance, or chronic stress.

But here’s the empowering truth: your body is not broken. It’s responding to a system out of balance. And you can restore that balance—not just with medication, but by rebuilding the foundations of health.

🧬 What Is Metabolic Hypogonadism?

Metabolic hypogonadism is a form of functional hormone suppression—not due to organ failure, but to metabolic dysfunction. 

In women, this can manifest as:

• Irregular or absent periods

• Low libido

• Mood swings, anxiety, or depression

• Fatigue and brain fog

• Decreased bone density

• Difficulty losing weight

Unlike PCOS, which often features elevated androgens, metabolic hypogonadism may present with blunted LH/FSH signaling, low estrogen, and disrupted ovulatory cycles—even in women without classic PCOS features.

In men, this can manifest as:

• Low libido and erectile dysfunction

• Fatigue and low energy

• Mood changes

• Decreased muscle mass and strength

• Increased visceral fat

• Poor sleep quality

• Reduced motivation and drive

🔄 The Vicious Cycle: Hormones and Metabolism

Excess visceral fat increases aromatase activity, converting testosterone into estrogen and disrupting hormonal balance. Meanwhile, leptin resistance, inflammation, and insulin resistance suppress the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, leading to low sex hormone production.

This hormonal suppression worsens metabolic health, creating a feedback loop that affects mood, energy, and body composition.

🌞 Rebuilding from the Ground Up: The 7 Foundations of Health

Before jumping into prescriptions, it’s essential to restore the terrain. These seven pillars are your hormonal allies:

1. 💤 Sleep

Quality sleep regulates cortisol, insulin, and reproductive hormones. Aim for 7–9 hours of deep, uninterrupted rest. Track your sleep, honor circadian rhythms, and prioritize wind-down rituals.

2. ☀️ Sunlight

Morning sun exposure boosts serotonin and regulates melatonin. It also supports vitamin D synthesis—a key player in hormone production and immune health.

3. 🥗 Food

Focus on nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory meals. Prioritize:

• Protein (for hormone synthesis)

• Healthy fats (for cholesterol-derived hormones)

• Fiber (for gut health and estrogen clearance)

• Micronutrients like zinc, magnesium, and B vitamins

4. 💧 Hydration

Cellular hydration supports metabolic processes and detoxification. Aim for half your body weight in ounces of water daily, and consider electrolytes if you're active or low-carb.

5. 🚶 Movement

Daily movement—especially strength training and walking—improves insulin sensitivity, boosts mood, and supports lean muscle mass. Even 20 minutes of brisk walking can make a difference.

6. 🔥 Passion

Don’t underestimate the power of purpose. Creative expression, meaningful relationships, and joy activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reduce cortisol, and support hormonal harmony.

7. 🧘 Nervous System Regulation

Breathwork, meditation, and somatic practices help shift the body out of fight-or-flight and into rest-and-digest—where hormone production thrives.

💊 When Lifestyle Isn’t Enough: HRT, TRT, and Tirzepatide

For some, foundational work may need support from targeted therapies:

🔹 Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT/TRT)

• Women may benefit from bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone depending on labs and symptoms.

• Men with metabolic hypogonadism often respond well to transdermal testosterone, improving mood, libido, and body composition.

🔹 Tirzepatide (TZP)

A dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, tirzepatide has shown promising results in improving testosterone levels, body composition, and metabolic markers in obese men. While studies in women are limited, its impact on insulin resistance and weight loss may indirectly support hormonal recovery.

Low to moderate doses (e.g., 2.5–5 mg weekly) combined with lifestyle changes have demonstrated significant improvements in lean mass, fat loss, and gonadal hormone levels in men—and may offer similar benefits to women pending further research.

💖 Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone

Metabolic hypogonadism isn’t just a hormone problem—it’s a signal that your body needs care, nourishment, and alignment. Whether you’re a woman navigating perimenopause, post-birth depletion, or chronic stress, you deserve to feel vibrant, strong, and connected to your body.

Start with the foundations. Build from the inside out. And if needed, explore therapies that support—not override—your body’s natural wisdom.

🌿 Reframing the Narrative: Tirzepatide as a Neuropsychiatric Ally

Tirzepatide isn’t just a weight loss drug—it’s a neuro-metabolic modulator. In functional psychiatry, we treat systems, not symptoms. And when we view tirzepatide through a trauma-informed, root-cause lens, its true therapeutic potential emerges: stabilizing insulin, calming neuroinflammation, and restoring mitochondrial resilience.

This dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist is more than a metabolic intervention—it’s a recalibration tool for the brain-body axis. It supports emotional regulation, cognitive clarity, and trauma recovery in ways that go far beyond the scale.

🧠 Why Tirzepatide Belongs in Psychiatry

GLP-1 receptors aren’t just in the pancreas—they’re expressed in the brain, gut, and immune system. Tirzepatide’s dual agonism influences:

• Neuroinflammation: Modulates microglial activity and astrocyte signaling, reducing neuroimmune reactivity.

• Mitochondrial function: Enhances biogenesis, reduces oxidative stress, and supports energy metabolism—critical for mood and cognition.

• Insulin signaling: Improves glycemic stability, reduces brain fog, and protects against neurodegeneration.

• Gut-brain axis: Influences motility, microbiome composition, and vagal tone—foundational to emotional resilience.

🔍 Clinical Use Cases in Functional Psychiatry

Tirzepatide is especially impactful in:

• Trauma-exposed patients: Chronic stress dysregulates insulin, cortisol, and inflammatory pathways. Tirzepatide helps restore metabolic rhythm and emotional regulation.

• Neuropsychiatric overlays: ADHD, anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline often involve mitochondrial dysfunction and glycemic instability.

• Perimenopausal transitions: Hormonal shifts impact insulin sensitivity and neuroimmune regulation—tirzepatide offers a stabilizing anchor.

🧪 Protocol Considerations

This section is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider before beginning any new therapy or protocol.

We use tirzepatide in phased, titrated protocols alongside synergistic neuro-metabolic supports that amplify its psychiatric benefits:

🧬 Mitochondrial Cofactors

• CoQ10, PQQ, NAD+, NAD⁺ precursors (NMN, NR): Enhance cellular energy, reduce oxidative stress, and support neuroplasticity.

• Methylene Blue (low-dose): A mitochondrial electron cycler and neuroprotective agent—especially useful in trauma-exposed or neurodegenerative presentations.

🔥 Neuroinflammatory Modulators

• Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN): Stabilizes microglial activation and supports emotional regulation.

• Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), luteolin: Gentle mast cell stabilizers with neuroimmune benefits.

🧠 Peptide Therapies

• Oxytocin (nasal spray): Supports social bonding, emotional safety, and vagal tone—especially in trauma recovery.

• Selank & Semax: Modulate BDNF, dopamine, and stress resilience.

• BPC-157: Gut-healing and neuroprotective, especially in trauma-induced GI dysregulation.

• Cerebrolysin or Dihexa: For cognitive enhancement and neuroregeneration in complex neuropsychiatric overlays.

🌿 Gut-Brain Axis Support

• Vagal tonics (e.g., bitters, breathwork)

• Mast cell stabilizers: Quercetin, DAO, cromolyn sodium

• Binders and bile flow support: For detox and emotional clarity

🌬️ Trauma-Informed Lifestyle Interventions

• Nature exposure, breathwork, somatic therapies

• Cold exposure, rhythmic movement, vagal retraining

• Structured journaling and neuroplasticity practices

🌱 Closing Perspective

Tirzepatide is not a cosmetic fix—it’s a systems-level recalibrator. In functional psychiatry, it becomes a tool for emotional resilience, cognitive vitality, and trauma recovery. When paired with mitochondrial cofactors, neuroimmune modulators, and peptide therapies, it helps restore the rhythm between brain, body, and lived experience.

This is the future of psychiatry: layered, integrative, and deeply attuned to the whole person.

🧠 When Metabolism Mimics Mental Health: The Hidden Cost of Hypometabolic States

By Jennifer Theriault, PMHNP-BC | Warrior ReWild Functional Psychiatry & Wellness

🔍 The Overlooked Pattern

In functional psychiatry, we’re trained to look for inflammation, cortisol dysregulation, and neurotransmitter imbalances. But what about the patients who present with:

• Fatigue that feels like gravity

• Emotional flatness, low motivation

• Brain fog, poor stress tolerance

• High BMI, low lean mass

• Low A1c despite insulin resistance

• Flat glucose tolerance curves

These aren’t just signs of depression or burnout. They’re often markers of a hypometabolic compensatory state—a cellular and systemic slowdown in energy production, triggered by trauma, chronic stress, or mitochondrial dysfunction.

🧠 When Metabolism Looks Like Mental Illness

These patients are frequently misdiagnosed with:

Mental Health Diagnosis

Overlapping Hypometabolic Features

Major Depression

Anhedonia, fatigue, low motivation, emotional flatness

ADHD (Inattentive)

Brain fog, poor task initiation, low dopamine tone

Generalized Anxiety

Wired-but-tired physiology, poor stress recovery

Bipolar II (Depressive phase)

Low energy, emotional numbness, poor exertion tolerance

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Vague fatigue, malaise, poor interoception

The problem? These symptoms aren’t always rooted in neurotransmitter imbalance—they’re often metabolic, mitochondrial, and trauma-driven.

🧬 What’s Really Going On?

Hypometabolic states reflect a protective downshift in energy demand. The body reduces ATP production, oxygen consumption, and fuel turnover in response to:

• Mitochondrial dysfunction

• HPA axis suppression

• Cell Danger Response (CDR)

• Polyvagal freeze physiology

• Hormonal downregulation (thyroid, cortisol, sex hormones)

This isn’t pathology—it’s compensation. But it’s often missed in conventional labs, especially when A1c is low and glucose curves are flat.

🧾 Clinical Flags to Watch For

Flat GTT curve

Low ATP demand, adrenal suppression

Low A1c + high BMI

Under-utilization of glucose

Lipid-based insulin resistance

Triglycerides ↑, HDL ↓, waist:hip ↑

Emotional flatness

Vagal dominance, trauma overlay

Low fasting insulin

Mitochondrial underdrive

🧠 Trauma-Informed Metabolic Care

These patients often live in freeze physiology:

• Blunted hunger, exertion, and emotional signaling

• Low sympathetic tone

• Post-exertional malaise

• Poor stress resilience

They don’t need stimulants or SSRIs—they need mitochondrial reactivation, adrenal tonics, and emotional safety.

🧪 Protocol Highlights

Phase 1: Stabilize & Prime

• Phosphatidylserine, magnesium, low-dose Rhodiola

• Morning light, protein-forward meals, gentle movement

Phase 2: Activate & Mobilize

• Berberine, NAD⁺, CoQ10

• Adaptogens, trauma-informed pacing

Phase 3: Rewire & Rebuild

• Peptides (MOTS-c, BPC-157), inositol, taurine

• Polyvagal practices, nature-based interventions

💡 Final Thought

When we misread hypometabolic states as purely psychiatric, we miss the root. These patients aren’t broken—they’re braked. And when we honor the body’s protective strategies, we can gently guide them from freeze to flow, from flatness to vitality.

🧠 Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) in Autism: A Forgotten Ally in Neuroimmune Healing

For decades, the conversation around autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has centered on behavior management, educational support, and—more recently—neurodiversity celebration. But beneath the surface of sensory overwhelm, self-injurious behavior (SIB), and emotional dysregulation lies a deeper story: one of immune imbalance, neuroinflammation, and cellular distress.

Enter Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)—a compound originally designed to block opioid receptors, now repurposed at microdoses to gently recalibrate the immune system and restore neurochemical harmony.

🔍 What Is LDN?

At doses between 0.5–4.5 mg, LDN acts not as a blunt antagonist, but as a modulator—briefly blocking opioid receptors to trigger a rebound in endorphin production. These endorphins don’t just lift mood—they regulate immune tone, reduce inflammation, and support autonomic safety.

📊 What the Research Shows

LDN has been studied in autism since the late 1980s, with consistent findings across trials and case reports:

• Reduces hyperactivity, fidgeting, and withdrawal behaviors

• Improves verbal output and learning performance

• Decreases stereotypies and self-injurious behavior

• Enhances eye contact, social engagement, and emotional regulation

• Minimal side effects, typically limited to mild sedation

Recent clinical reflections (2024–2025) highlight LDN’s ability to modulate microglia, dampen neuroinflammation, and support neuroimmune balance—especially in trauma-exposed or neurodivergent individuals.

🔬 Why It Matters for the Cell Danger Response (CDR)

LDN doesn’t directly block purinergic receptors like suramin—but it modulates microglial activation, which influences extracellular ATP signaling. In the context of chronic CDR activation, LDN may help:

• Restore immune tone

• Re-establish endorphin-mediated autonomic safety

• Support the shift from cellular defense to repair

When layered into a phased protocol alongside mitochondrial cofactors, neuropeptides, and somatic therapies, LDN becomes a gentle but powerful tool for whole-person healing.

💡 Clinical Takeaway

For providers working with ASD, trauma recovery, or neuroimmune dysregulation, LDN offers a low-risk, high-impact intervention. It’s not a cure—but it’s a meaningful nudge toward regulation, resilience, and reconnection.

Whether you're a parent, practitioner, or patient advocate, LDN deserves a place in the conversation—especially when healing requires more than behavior charts and symptom suppression.

📚 References

1. Campbell, M., et al. (1990). Naltrexone in autistic children: A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 29(1), 51–55. — Demonstrated reduction in hyperactivity and improved behavioral regulation.

2. Campbell, M., et al. (1989). Tolerance and dose-response study of naltrexone in young autistic children. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 25(3), 355–359. — Showed dose-dependent improvements in verbal output and stereotypies.

3. Taylor, B. A., et al. (1991). Case study: Naltrexone treatment of self-injurious behavior in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 21(1), 149–155. — Reported significant reduction in self-injurious behavior and improved learning.

4. Naviaux, R. K. (2014). Metabolic features of the cell danger response. Mitochondrion, 16, 7–17. — Introduced the CDR framework and its relevance to ASD and mitochondrial dysfunction.

5. Recent Clinical Reflections (2024–2025). — Emerging practitioner reports and reviews on LDN’s role in modulating microglia, dampening neuroinflammation, and supporting neuroimmune balance in trauma-exposed populations.

🧠 Introducing Cellular Psychiatry: A New Paradigm for Mental Wellness

In a world where mental health care is often reduced to quick symptom checklists and trial-and-error medications, it’s time for a shift. At the intersection of neuroscience, hormone biology, and cellular medicine emerges a next-generation approach: Cellular Psychiatry.

🔬 What Is Cellular Psychiatry?

> Cellular Psychiatry is a next-generation model of mental health care that targets the root causes of psychiatric symptoms at the cellular level—where hormones, mitochondria, and immune signals converge to shape mood, cognition, and resilience.

Rather than treating anxiety, depression, or cognitive fog as isolated conditions, Cellular Psychiatry looks under the microscope—identifying dysfunction in cell signaling, energy production, neuroinflammation, and hormonal imbalances that often drive psychiatric symptoms.

🧬 Why the Cell Matters

Every thought, emotion, and behavioral pattern begins at the level of a cell. Neurons require balanced hormones, mitochondrial energy, and a regulated immune system to function well. When any of these systems falter, symptoms emerge—not from "chemical imbalances," but from systems dysregulation.

Think of it this way:

• Mitochondria influence how much energy your brain has for focus and emotional regulation.

• Hormones like estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid modulate neurotransmitters and synaptic connectivity.

• Chronic inflammation and blood sugar instability alter your brain’s ability to adapt, heal, and respond to stress.

⚙️ Core Elements of the Cellular Psychiatry Model

Mitochondrial Health Example Targets: NAD⁺, ATP, oxidative stress Sample Interventions: NAD⁺ precursors, creatine, CoQ10

Neuroinflammation Example Targets: Microglial priming, gut-brain axis Sample Interventions: Omega-3s, LDN, gut repair protocols

Hormone Optimization Example Targets: Estradiol, progesterone, thyroid, cortisol Sample Interventions: Bioidentical HRT, adaptogens, peptide support

Metabolic Function Example Targets: Glucose regulation, insulin signaling Sample Interventions: GLP-1 receptor agonists, berberine, ketogenic strategies

Neurorepair & Plasticity Example Targets: BDNF, synaptic density Sample Interventions: Lion’s mane, oxytocin, structured ketamine therapy

🌿 Rethinking Mental Health from the Inside Out

What if your anxiety was a cortisol rhythm issue? Your depression a consequence of neuroinflammation? Your “brain fog” a mitochondrial warning flare?

Cellular Psychiatry shifts the lens from diagnosis to root-cause resolution—using targeted labs, biofeedback, and precision protocols that support your brain by healing your body.

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🧠 The Metabolic Psychiatry Paradigm Shift

🧠 The Metabolic Psychiatry Paradigm Shift

Reframing Mental Health Through Blood Sugar, Inflammation, and Mitochondria

This is the first in a 4-part series exploring how metabolic and hormonal systems shape psychiatric outcomes—and how therapies like GLP-1 receptor agonists, nutritional ketosis, and hormone optimization are changing the future of mental health.

🔬 Why Metabolism Matters in Psychiatry

For decades, depression and anxiety were treated as purely neurochemical imbalances. But growing evidence reveals that insulin resistance, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction are often upstream drivers of mood disorders, brain fog, and fatigue.

Key contributors include:

• Insulin resistance → impaired glucose uptake in the brain

• Chronic inflammation → elevated IL-6, TNF-α, and disrupted neurotransmission

• Mitochondrial dysfunction → reduced neural energy, impaired stress tolerance

This is the heart of metabolic psychiatry—a model that connects systemic health with emotional and cognitive resilience.

🌿 Emerging Tools: GLP-1 & Ketosis

As we deepen our understanding of metabolic contributors to mental health, two therapies stand out:

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Originally designed for diabetes and obesity, these medications now show promise for:

• Reducing neuroinflammation and glial reactivity

• Enhancing insulin sensitivity with downstream mood improvements

• Modulating reward pathways, which supports emotional regulation and reduces compulsive patterns

Nutritional Ketosis

Shifting the brain’s primary fuel source to ketones may:

• Increase mitochondrial energy efficiency

• Stabilize neurotransmitter dynamics (e.g., GABA/glutamate)

• Support BDNF expression and neuroprotection

Both approaches intersect with neurobiology in profound ways—often mirroring or complementing one another.

🧭 Why This Matters

By integrating metabolic therapies with hormone optimization—such as estradiol, progesterone, or DHEA—we can address mood disorders at their roots. Hormonal shifts (e.g., in menopause, PCOS, or HPA dysregulation) often amplify insulin resistance, increase neuroinflammation, and destabilize mood.

Metabolic psychiatry isn’t about replacing traditional care. It’s about expanding it—bringing root-cause thinking into every patient conversation.

Nurse Practitioner Philosophy Statement

As a nurse practitioner specializing in the intersections of mental health, hormones, and metabolism, I believe in a holistic, patient-centered approach to healing. My practice integrates a diverse toolbox—including diet, lifestyle, circadian rhythm optimization, exercise, supplements, pharmaceuticals, and peptides—to address the unique needs of each patient.

In today’s world, people often align with rigid identities, such as rejecting vitamins or pharmaceuticals outright. However, I believe dismissing any tool is like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. We live in an era where stress, illness, and toxicity challenge human health like never before. My role is to meet patients where they are, using every appropriate tool to guide them toward balance and wellness.

For example, the debate over GLP-1 agonists highlights this divide. Like a knife, these medications can be life-saving in the hands of a skilled practitioner or harmful if misused. My goal is to look beyond such divisions, deeply understand my patients’ needs, and thoughtfully select the right tools—whether lifestyle interventions, supplements, or medications—to support their healing journey. With my prescribing license, I integrate pharmaceuticals when necessary, alongside foundational building blocks like nutrition and exercise, to help patients achieve their health goals and restore balance.

Warrior Rewild Manifesto

Warrior Rewild Manifesto

We are Warrior Rewild. We believe the human body is not broken—it holds an innate healing intelligence, a primal blueprint forged by our hunter-gatherer ancestors. True health, happiness, and purpose arise when we reconnect with this wisdom, creating the proper environment for our bodies to heal and thrive. The further we stray from nature’s rhythms—sunlight, water, fire, and earth—the sicker, sadder, and more disconnected we become. Our mission is to guide you back to radiant vitality, balanced hormones, vibrant neurotransmitters, and thriving mitochondria through three core pillars: Fuel, Build, and Restore. This is a rebellion against the artificial, a call to trust your body’s brilliance.

Our Philosophy

Humans are wired for a world of sunlight, movement, and connection—a world we’ve abandoned in our screen-lit, sedentary, processed lives. Your body is not flawed; it is a masterpiece of evolution, ready to heal when given the right conditions. By embracing circadian biology, light biology, and quantum biology, we unlock nature’s healing power. The foundations of health—sleep, digestion, a balanced nervous system, mitochondrial energy, and circadian alignment—are sacred. When we nurture these, our innate intelligence ignites, restoring vitality from within.

We reject the processed foods, artificial lights, and digital distractions that dim our mitochondria, disrupt our hormones, and dull our neurotransmitters. Instead, we champion a primal way of living: nutrient-dense foods, purposeful movement, grounding in nature’s electric charge, and relationships that matter. Sunlight’s red and infrared rays, water’s electric charge, and fire’s primal glow are our medicine, fueling cellular repair, glucose regulation, and vibrant health. This is not a trend—it’s a homecoming to our body’s wisdom.

Our Pillars

Fuel

Nourish your body as our ancestors did to awaken its healing potential. A primal diet of whole foods, Wild/ Grassfed meats, organic vegetables. fruits, fermented foods, and raw dairy, powers your mitochondria, stabilizes glucose, and fuels resilience. This is abundance, not restriction—eating to optimize digestion, energy, and cellular repair. Mineral-rich water, charged with nature’s electricity, hydrates cells and supports ATP production, as our ancestors drank from springs. By aligning with nature’s bounty, we create the environment for insulin, thyroid, and neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine to thrive, healing from the inside out.

Build

Move as humans were born to move, unleashing your body’s innate strength. Our approach mirrors the hunter-gatherer life: ambulation (walking barefoot, exploring), fitness (strength and endurance for survival), and mobility (flexibility for life’s demands). We rise with the sun, bathing in its red and infrared light to boost mitochondrial ATP and glucose regulation. Grounding on wet earth channels water’s electric charge, energizing cells. Beyond the body, we build relationships around water or fire, fostering oxytocin and purpose. Pursue your personal mission—your passion gives life meaning. Movement, connection, and sunlight create the conditions for your body to flourish.

Restore

Healing is your birthright, activated by the basics: sleep, circadian rhythm, mitochondrial health, and a calm nervous system. We honor sunrise and sunset, syncing with Earth’s cycles to optimize melatonin and cortisol. Fire gazing (5–20 minutes) harnesses infrared light to stimulate mitochondrial repair, potentially activating stem cells, while calming brainwaves to boost GABA and serotonin. Grounding on wet surfaces delivers an electric charge, reducing inflammation and enhancing ATP. Time in nature—near water or fire—is non-negotiable, restoring dopamine and lowering cortisol. We reject mindless scrolling, choosing personal development, reading physical books, and spiritual connection to something greater. This is how we provide the environment for our bodies to rewild and radiate vibrancy.

Our Call to Action

The modern world—its processed foods, artificial lights, and digital noise—clouds our innate healing intelligence, dimming our mitochondria, disrupting our hormones, and dulling our neurotransmitters. But your body is not broken; it is ready to heal. Warrior Rewild is a movement to reclaim health, happiness, and purpose by creating the proper environment for your biology to thrive. Step into the sun. Drink living water. Gaze into the fire. Eat real food. Move with intention. Ground your feet. Connect deeply. Find your mission.

Join us. Become a warrior. Rewild your life.

Are We All Barking Up the Wrong Tree? A New Map Back to Human

 We’re not broken; we’re just living in a world our bodies don’t understand.

Lately, I’ve been wrestling with big questions: What does it mean to be truly healthy? What does it mean to be a provider guiding people toward a life of joy and vitality? As a nurse practitioner steeped in functional medicine, orthomolecular principles, and ancestral wisdom, I’m convinced we’re living through a seismic paradigm shift in healthcare. For decades, the prevailing philosophy was simple: a pill for every ill. Pop a tablet, fix the symptom, move on. Even in the realms of functional, holistic, and integrative medicine—where we pride ourselves on digging deeper—we’re still, at times, tethered to the old paradigm. We swap synthetic drugs for supplements, lab tests for biohacks, but are we missing the forest for the trees?

I believe we’re barking up the wrong tree if we think health is about “fixing a broken body.” Our bodies and minds aren’t broken. They’re ancient, resilient systems—honed over millennia to thrive in harmony with nature—struggling to keep up with an ultra-modern world. We’re hunter-gatherers in high heels and cubicles, eating processed carbs under fluorescent lights, sleeping five hours, and wondering why we feel off. This isn’t a failure of biology; it’s an evolutionary mismatch. Our lifestyles have outpaced our genes, and the result is a cascade of imbalances: hormonal chaos, metabolic dysfunction, thyroid sluggishness, and minds clouded by stress and fatigue.

As providers, our role isn’t to patch up a defective machine. It’s to create a healing environment where the body’s innate wisdom can take over, bringing itself back into balance. Health isn’t a destination we force; it’s a state we cultivate. And as patients, you don’t need to be “fixed”—you need a map back to human, a guide to realign your ancient biology with the comforts of modern life. Here’s how we can draw that map together, weaving primal practices with today’s world to reclaim vitality, happiness, and balance.

The Evolutionary Mismatch: Why We’re Out of Sync

Picture a hunter-gatherer 50,000 years ago. She rose with the sun, her eyes drinking in morning light to set her circadian clock. She walked barefoot on the earth, grounding her body’s electric charge. Her diet was rich in animal fats, organ meats, and foraged greens—ketogenic by nature, fueling her brain and body with precision. She moved in bursts: sprinting after prey, carrying water, stretching by a fire under the stars. Stress came in waves, but so did rest, laughter, and connection with her tribe. Her biology was perfectly matched to her environment, and her body knew how to heal itself.

Now, fast-forward to 2025. We wake to alarms, not sunlight. We’re bathed in blue light from screens, not firelight. Our feet rarely touch the earth, encased in shoes or concrete. We eat processed foods—grains, sugars, seed oils—that our genes don’t recognize. We sit for hours, move too little, and sleep in fragments. Our stress is chronic, unrelenting, with no tribal campfire to soothe us. Our biology hasn’t changed since that hunter-gatherer’s time, but our world has. The result? Insulin resistance, hormonal swings, thyroid dysfunction, and a vague sense that something’s off. We’re not broken; we’re just living in a world our bodies don’t understand.

Even functional medicine, with its focus on root causes, can fall into the trap of the old paradigm. We order labs, prescribe supplements, and chase biomarkers, but are we truly listening to the body’s ancient wisdom? Are we creating space for healing, or are we still trying to “fix” what we perceive as flaws? It’s time to shift our lens: health is about aligning our modern lives with our primal blueprint, not battling our biology.

A New Paradigm: Creating a Healing Environment

If our bodies aren’t broken, what do they need to thrive? A healing environment—one that honors our evolutionary roots while embracing the best of modern life. This isn’t about rejecting technology or living in a cave. It’s about crafting a lifestyle that speaks to our genes, letting our bodies and minds do what they’re designed to do: balance, repair, and flourish. As a provider, my job is to guide you in building this environment, not to dictate fixes. As a patient, your journey is about rediscovering your innate resilience, not chasing perfection.

Here’s what a healing environment looks like, drawn from ancestral wisdom and tailored to today’s world:

1. Eat Like Your Ancestors: Our hunter-gatherer forebears thrived on animal-based, ketogenic diets—rich in grass-fed meats, fish, eggs, and organ meats, with minimal carbs. These foods fuel ketosis, stabilize blood sugar, and nourish the brain, as Dr. Georgia Ede’s work shows. Swap processed carbs for nutrient-dense foods: a breakfast of eggs and liver, a lunch of beef and kale, a dinner of salmon and Brussels sprouts. Add bone broth for gut healing and fermented veggies for probiotics. This isn’t a diet; it’s a return to what your body craves. Modern twist? Use an Instant Pot for broth or order grass-fed meats online.

2. Sync with Light and Earth: Our biology is wired for sunlight and grounding, as Dr. Jack Kruse emphasizes. Morning sun exposure (20 minutes +) resets your circadian rhythm, balancing hormones and thyroid function. Barefoot walking on grass (15 minutes + daily) reconnects you to the earth’s electrons, reducing inflammation. These primal practices are free and powerful. Modern twist? Wear blue-blocking glasses at night to mimic firelight, or ground on a park lawn during your lunch break.

3. Move Like a Hunter-Gatherer: Our ancestors didn’t “exercise”—they moved naturally: walking, sprinting, carrying, stretching. Barefoot walks (20 minutes, 4x/week), strength train or do bodyweight circuits (squats, lunges), and gentle yoga mimic these patterns, boosting insulin sensitivity and stress resilience. Once a week, try a sprint interval (30 seconds, barefoot) to channel your inner hunter. Modern twist? Stream a primal movement class online or join a local barefoot walking group.

4. Rest and Connect: Stress is the modern predator, keeping us in fight-or-flight. Fire gazing (10 minutes, 3x/week, by a candle) calms the vagus nerve, mimicking tribal rituals. Sleep by 10 PM (at the lastest in a dark, cool room to honor your circadian clock. Connect with a community—whether a primal movement group or an online ancestral health forum—to feel the tribal support our ancestors relied on. Modern twist? Use a meditation app for guided breathwork or host a virtual “campfire” chat with friends.

5. Nourish with Ancestral Superfoods: Organ meats like liver are nature’s multivitamins, packed with folate, B12, and B vitamins to support methylation and energy. For those with MTHFR variants, active forms (methylfolate, methylcobalamin) can bridge the gap, but liver remains a cornerstone. Oysters, salmon, and bone marrow deliver zinc, omega-3s, and fats our genes recognize. Modern twist? Take desiccated liver capsules if fresh liver isn’t your thing, or sip seaweed broth for iodine.

A Map Back to Human

This healing environment isn’t a quick fix—it’s a map back to human, a guide to weave modern comforts with ancient biology. It’s about small, intentional steps: swapping cereal for eggs, screen time for sunlight, stress for firelight. As a provider, I’m not here to “cure” you; I’m here to walk beside you, helping you create space for your body to heal itself. As a patient, you’re not a problem to solve—you’re a resilient being rediscovering your roots.

The old paradigm—pills, patches, and fixes—kept us chasing symptoms. Even functional medicine can veer too close to this, with its arsenal of supplements and protocols. The new paradigm is simpler yet profound: trust your body’s wisdom. Feed it ancestral foods, bathe it in sunlight, move it with purpose, and rest it with care. Your hormones will stabilize, your thyroid will hum, your weight will shift—not because we “fixed” you, but because we let your biology catch up.

Are we all barking up the wrong tree? Maybe. But the right tree is closer than you think. It’s the one rooted in the earth, warmed by the sun, and nourished by the foods and rhythms our ancestors knew. Let’s draw that map together—a path back to human, where health and happiness aren’t goals but natural outcomes of living in sync with who we are.

Ready to Start?

• Try one primal practice this week: 20 minutes of morning sunlight, a barefoot walk, or a liver-rich meal.

• Journal how it feels to reconnect with your ancient biology.

• Reach out to a provider or community who sees health as a journey, not a fix.

Here’s to thriving as the ancient beings we are, in the modern world we’ve built.

Functional & Metabolic Psychiatry

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Functional psychiatry is an emerging field that combines traditional psychiatric practices with a holistic approach to mental health. It focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of mental health issues rather than just treating symptoms. This approach integrates various aspects of a person's life, including their physical health, lifestyle, environment, and genetics, to create a comprehensive treatment plan.

One of the key principles of functional psychiatry is the belief that mental health is deeply interconnected with physical health. For example, imbalances in gut health, hormonal levels, or nutrient deficiencies can significantly impact mental well-being. Functional psychiatrists often use a range of diagnostic tools, such as blood tests, genetic testing, and comprehensive health assessments, to uncover underlying issues that may be contributing to a patient's mental health problems.

Treatment in functional psychiatry is highly personalized and may include a combination of conventional psychiatric medications, nutritional supplements, dietary changes, exercise, stress management techniques, and psychotherapy. The goal is to create a balanced and sustainable approach to mental health that addresses the unique needs of each individual.

Functional psychiatry also emphasizes the importance of patient education and empowerment. Patients are encouraged to take an active role in their treatment and make informed decisions about their health. This collaborative approach helps patients develop a deeper understanding of their mental health and fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for their well-being.

In summary, functional psychiatry offers a holistic and integrative approach to mental health care. By addressing the root causes of mental health issues and considering the whole person, this field aims to provide more effective and sustainable treatment options for individuals seeking to improve their mental well-being.

Insulin resistance, fluctuating estrogen levels during perimenopause, & mental health.

The interplay between insulin resistance, fluctuating estrogen levels during perimenopause, and mood or mental health, and how to help!

Insulin resistance during the perimenopausal phase can significantly impact estrogen levels and overall hormonal balance. Here's how they interact:

1. Hormonal Fluctuations: During perimenopause, estrogen levels naturally decline, which can affect how the body responds to insulin. Lower estrogen levels are linked to increased insulin resistance, making it harder for cells to absorb glucose effectively.

2. Increased Risk of Metabolic Issues: Insulin resistance can lead to higher blood sugar levels, weight gain, and fatigue. These issues are compounded by the hormonal changes of perimenopause, potentially increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

3. Role of Estrogen in Insulin Sensitivity: Estrogen plays a protective role in maintaining insulin sensitivity. As estrogen levels drop during perimenopause, the body's ability to regulate blood sugar may decrease, leading to greater insulin resistance.

The relationship between low estrogen and insulin resistance is complex, and they can influence each other in a cyclical manner. However, in many cases:

• Low Estrogen Leading to Insulin Resistance: Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining insulin sensitivity. When estrogen levels drop, such as during menopause or due to other hormonal imbalances, the body may become less effective at using insulin, leading to insulin resistance.

• Insulin Resistance Affecting Estrogen Levels: On the flip side, insulin resistance can lead to weight gain, particularly around the abdomen. This excess fat tissue can produce estrogen, disrupting the hormonal balance and potentially leading to lower overall estrogen levels in certain contexts.

In perimenopausal women, the decline in estrogen is often the initiating factor, which then exacerbates insulin resistance.

The interplay between insulin resistance, fluctuating estrogen levels during perimenopause, and mood or mental health is intricate and impactful. Here's how they connect:

1. Fluctuating Estrogen and Mental Health:

• Estrogen influences neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood. During perimenopause, fluctuating estrogen levels can lead to mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and even depression.

• These hormonal changes can also disrupt sleep, which further affects mental health.

2. Insulin Resistance and Mood:

• Insulin resistance can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and low energy, which may exacerbate feelings of depression or anxiety.

• High blood sugar levels associated with insulin resistance can also contribute to inflammation, which has been linked to mood disorders.

3. Combined Effects:

• The combination of fluctuating estrogen and insulin resistance can create a cycle where hormonal imbalances worsen insulin sensitivity, and vice versa, amplifying their effects on mood and mental health.

Holistic Healing Strategy for Insulin, Estrogen, and Adrenal Health

1. Exercise as Therapy

• Strength Training (2-3 times per week): Boosts muscle mass, improves insulin sensitivity, and supports bone health during hormonal shifts.

• Examples: Weightlifting, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises like lunges, push-ups, and planks.

• Cardio and Aerobic Exercise (3-5 times per week): Enhances cardiovascular health, reduces insulin resistance, and supports mood by increasing endorphin levels.

• Examples: Brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or dancing.

• Gentle Movement and Recovery:

• Yoga and Pilates: Improves flexibility, reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels, and promotes a calm mind.

• Post-Meal Walks: A 10-15 minute walk after meals can aid blood sugar regulation and digestion.

• Timing: Focus on morning or daytime exercise to align with natural circadian rhythms, avoiding late-night workouts that may disrupt sleep.

2. Mind-Body Practices for Adrenal and Hormonal Support

• Meditation: A daily practice of mindfulness meditation or guided breathing exercises can lower cortisol levels and reduce the impact of stress on insulin resistance.

• Start with 5-10 minutes a day and gradually increase duration.

• Self-Inquiry and Journaling: Reflect on emotions, triggers, and patterns to cultivate self-awareness and emotional resilience. Journaling can help process perimenopausal mood swings.

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Engage in practices like mindful breathing, body scans, or mindful eating to foster a sense of calm and connection.

• Visualization or Affirmations: Use positive imagery and affirmations to reinforce mental and emotional balance.

3. Dietary Guidance

• Fasting (Intermittent Fasting): Start with a 12:12 fasting-to-eating window, progressing to 16:8 if it feels sustainable. Fasting can improve insulin sensitivity but should be approached cautiously to avoid hormonal disruptions.

• Ketogenic or Low-Carb, High-Fat Diet:

• Focus on healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts), moderate protein, and non-starchy vegetables.

• Avoid processed carbs and sugars to reduce blood sugar spikes.

• Meal Timing: Align meals with daylight hours and eat your largest meal earlier in the day to optimize metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

4. Circadian Rhythm Alignment

• Morning Sunlight: Get exposure to natural sunlight within the first hour of waking to regulate your internal clock.

• Consistent Sleep Schedule: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep by sticking to regular bed and wake times.

• Digital SUNDOWN: Avoid screens and bright lights 1-2 hours before bedtime. Engage in calming activities like reading or stretching instead.

5. Hydration and Supplementation

• Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas. Add electrolytes if following a ketogenic diet.

• Discuss with a healthcare provider about supplements like magnesium (for relaxation and insulin sensitivity), adaptogens like ashwagandha (to support adrenal health), or omega-3s (for hormonal balance).

6. Community and Support

• Share your journey with others going through similar experiences. Group activities, whether exercise or mindfulness classes, can provide emotional and social support.

• Seek professional guidance if needed (e.g., from integrative health practitioners  or therapists).

Mastering self-talk ( Change your self-talk-Change your LIFE)

Mastery of Self-Talk: The Key to Personal Empowerment

( Change your self-talk-Change your LIFE)

Self-talk is an integral part of our daily lives. It shapes our perception, influences our emotions, and drives our actions. Mastering self-talk means gaining control over this internal dialogue to foster a positive and productive mindset. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of self-talk, how to identify negative patterns, and practical steps to cultivate empowering self-dialogue.

Every thought moves us toward or away from Health, Wealth & Happiness.

Understanding Self-Talk Self-talk refers to the internal conversations we have with ourselves. It can be categorized into two types:

1. Positive Self-Talk: This involves encouraging, affirming, and constructive thoughts that boost confidence and resilience.

2. Negative Self-Talk: This consists of critical, pessimistic, and self-defeating thoughts that undermine our self-esteem and motivation.

The Impact of Self-Talk Our self-talk significantly affects our mental and emotional well-being:

• Positive Self-Talk: Enhances self-confidence, reduces stress, and improves overall mental health.

• Negative Self-Talk: Leads to anxiety, depression, and a negative self-image.

Neuroplasticity and Self-Talk Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganize and rewire its neural connections. This adaptability allows us to change our thought patterns and behaviors. By practicing positive self-talk, we can strengthen the neural pathways associated with positive thinking and weaken those linked to negative thoughts.

BDNF and Self-Talk Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a protein that supports the growth and survival of neurons. It plays a crucial role in neuroplasticity and cognitive function. Engaging in positive self-talk can increase BDNF levels, promoting brain health and enhancing our ability to form new neural connections.

The Role of the Nervous System The nervous system is the body's command center, responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Positive self-talk can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and reduces stress. This, in turn, supports overall mental and physical well-being.

Identifying Negative Self-Talk Patterns To master self-talk, it is crucial to recognize and address negative patterns. Common types of negative self-talk include:

• Filtering: Focusing solely on the negative aspects of a situation while ignoring the positives.

• Personalizing: Blaming oneself for events beyond one's control.

• Catastrophizing: Expecting the worst-case scenario in every situation.

• Polarizing: Viewing things in black and white, without acknowledging any middle ground.

Steps to Cultivate Positive Self-Talk

1. Awareness: Pay attention to your thoughts and identify when negative self-talk occurs.

2. Challenge Negative Thoughts: Question the validity of negative thoughts and replace them with positive alternatives.

3. Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to reinforce a healthy self-image and boost confidence.

4. Visualization: Imagine positive outcomes and scenarios to counteract negative thinking.

5. Practice Gratitude: Focus on the positive aspects of your life and express gratitude regularly.

6. Surround Yourself with Positivity: Engage with supportive people, read inspiring content, and create a positive environment.

Mastering self-talk is a powerful tool for personal growth and empowerment. By transforming negative thoughts into positive ones, we can enhance our mental well-being, achieve our goals, and lead a more fulfilling life. Start your journey today and unlock the potential of your inner dialogue!

Ketamine and Mental Health: A Resource Guide

What is Ketamine? Ketamine is a medication originally developed as a powerful anesthetic and painkiller. It was used effectively in hospitals and on the battlefields of Vietnam for decades. In recent years, ketamine has found applications in mental health treatment, particularly for conditions that are resistant to traditional therapies.

Mechanism of Action Ketamine acts as an NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) antagonist. This means that ketamine binds to and alters the function of the NMDA receptor, a part of the brain’s glutamate system. Glutamate is a vital neurotransmitter that is thought to be partially responsible for regulating mood and certain mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. By altering the NMDA receptor's interaction with glutamate, ketamine can potentially treat certain mental health conditions.

Neuroplasticity and BDNF Ketamine has been shown to promote neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. This process is crucial for learning, memory, and recovery from brain injuries. Ketamine increases the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the survival, growth, and differentiation of neurons2. BDNF plays a key role in synaptic plasticity, which is essential for cognitive function and emotional regulation.

Role on Glial Cells Glial cells, including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia, are crucial for maintaining brain health and function. Ketamine has been found to modulate the activity of glial cells, reducing neuroinflammation and promoting neuroprotection. By influencing glial cells, ketamine helps create a supportive environment for neuronal growth and repair.

Immune System Modulation Ketamine has anti-inflammatory effects that extend to both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It can reduce the activation of microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, and decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This modulation of the immune system contributes to ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects and its ability to alleviate symptoms of treatment-resistant depression.

Applications in Mental Health

• Depression: Ketamine has shown rapid and significant antidepressant effects, particularly in individuals with treatment-resistant depression.

• Anxiety: Ketamine can help reduce symptoms of anxiety disorders by modulating the brain's glutamate system.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Ketamine has been found to alleviate symptoms of PTSD by promoting neuroplasticity and reducing hyperarousal.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Some studies suggest that ketamine may help reduce symptoms of OCD by altering glutamate transmission.

• Substance Use Disorders: Ketamine has shown promise in treating substance use disorders by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a mental health treatment method that involves using ketamine’s trance-inducing and pain-relieving properties to help individuals work through various mental and emotional challenges. KAP combines the administration of ketamine with psychotherapy sessions to enhance the therapeutic process and achieve better outcomes.

At-Home Ketamine Therapy Mindbloom offers at-home ketamine therapy, providing both sublingual tablets and injectable options. This approach allows individuals to receive treatment in the comfort of their own homes, making it more accessible and convenient. Mindbloom pairs individuals with licensed clinicians who guide them through the treatment process and provide ongoing support.

Safety and Side Effects Ketamine is generally considered safe when administered under medical supervision. However, it can have side effects, including:

• Dissociation: A sense of detachment from oneself, which can be disorienting but is usually temporary.

• Nausea and Vomiting: Common side effects that can be managed with medication.

• Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: These effects are typically short-lived and monitored during treatment.

Conclusion Ketamine therapy offers a promising option for individuals with treatment-resistant mental health conditions. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine if ketamine therapy is appropriate for your individual needs and to ensure careful monitoring during treatment.

Red Light Biophotomodulation Devices: A Resource Guide

What is Photobiomodulation? Photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), is a type of light therapy that utilizes red and near-infrared light to target chromophores in cellular mitochondria. This process helps increase the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), boosting energy transport within cells and promoting cellular proliferation. PBM is used to treat various conditions, including skin abrasions, inflammation, and chronic pain.

Benefits of Photobiomodulation

• Mental Health Benefits: PBM has been shown to improve mood, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and enhance cognitive function by promoting neurogenesis and reducing inflammation in the brain.

• Pain Relief: PBM can reduce acute and chronic pain by promoting tissue regeneration and reducing inflammation.

• Improved Circulation: PBM enhances blood flow, which aids in the healing process and overall tissue health.

• Mitochondrial Health: Red light therapy stimulates mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, to produce more ATP, enhancing cellular energy and function.

• Lowering Blood Glucose: Studies have shown that red light therapy can reduce blood glucose levels by stimulating mitochondrial energy production, which increases glucose consumption.

• Cancer Support: Red light therapy has shown promise in reducing pain and inflammation from cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy. It may also help improve overall well-being and support healing.

• Skin Care & Beauty: PBM helps with sun damage, wrinkles, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation by boosting collagen production and repairing the extracellular matrix.

Popular Red Light Therapy Devices: TOP PICK : KOZE Light

1. Mito Red Light: Best for full-body application, offering wavelengths of 660 nm (red), 810 nm, and 830 nm (near-infrared).

2. Joovv: Offers a range of devices, including the Joovv Solo 3.0 and Joovv Go 2.0, which emit red (660 nm) and near-infrared (850 nm) light for various health benefits.

3. Omnilux: A mask with red and blue light therapy for acne treatment.

4. Lifepro: A red light therapy belt for lower back and joints, portable and travel-friendly.

5. HigherDOSE: Designed for neck and decolletage, with adjustable size and customizable settings.

6. Midwest Redlight - Piranha: A portable, rechargeable red and near-infrared light therapy device with very low EMF levels. It features 50% 660 nm and 50% 850 nm wavelengths. LINK HERE

7. Midwest Redlight - Game Changer: A powerful red and near-infrared light therapy device with very low flicker and low EMF levels. It features 50% 660 nm and 50% 850 nm wavelengths.  LINK HERE

8. KOZE Light - S Series: A powerful red and near-infrared light therapy device with dual-chip LED technology and an adjustable stand. It features 660 nm (red) and 850 nm (near-infrared) wavelengths, zero EMF at 4 inches or greater, and zero flicker. LINK HERE

EMF Levels : Red light therapy devices can emit EMFs, but the levels and potential implications vary among devices and their designs. Many reputable brands have close to 0 uF EMF due to rigorous compliance with safety standards.

Conclusion: Red light biophotomodulation devices offer a range of benefits, from skin care and pain relief to improved circulation and mitochondrial health. With various devices available on the market, it's important to choose one that fits your specific needs. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new therapy.

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN): An Overview

What is LDN?

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is a medication that helps regulate a dysfunctional immune system. It is a safe, non-toxic, and inexpensive drug that has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including autoimmune diseases, chronic pain, mental health issues, and even some cancers. LDN works by temporarily blocking opioid receptors, leading to an increase in endorphins, which modulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain. Additionally, LDN inhibits the activation of microglial cells, reducing neuroinflammation and promoting a balanced immune response. At higher doses, naltrexone is FDA-approved for treating opioid and alcohol dependence by blocking the euphoric effects of these substances. This blocking action also leads to an increase in endorphins, making LDN a safe and effective treatment option for various conditions.

How Does LDN Work?

The mechanism of LDN appears to involve the modulation of neuro-inflammation, specifically through the regulation of glial cells and the release of inflammatory chemicals in the central nervous system. These effects are unique at low dosages compared to the higher dosages approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating alcohol and opioid dependence. In addition to this LDN temporarily blocks opioid receptors, leading to an increase in the production of endorphins. These endorphins help regulate the immune system by promoting a balanced immune response and reducing inflammation

Functional Medicine Perspective

From a functional medicine perspective, LDN is valued for its ability to address the root causes of chronic conditions by regulating the immune system and reducing inflammation. It offers a holistic approach to treatment, focusing on improving overall health and well-being.

Conditions Treated with LDN LDN has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

• Crohn’s Disease

• Fibromyalgia

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

• Complex-regional pain syndrome

• Chronic Pain

• Mental Health Issues

• Anxiety

• Depression

• PTSD

• Autism

Immune System Modulation

1. Opioid Receptor Blockade: LDN temporarily blocks opioid receptors, leading to an increase in the production of endorphins. These endorphins help regulate the immune system by promoting a balanced immune response and reducing inflammation.

2. Microglial Cell Inhibition: LDN inhibits the activation of microglial cells, which are involved in neuroinflammation. By reducing the activity of these cells, LDN helps decrease the release of inflammatory chemicals in the central nervous system.

3. Cytokine Modulation: LDN influences the production of cytokines, which are signaling molecules that play a crucial role in the immune response. By modulating cytokine levels, LDN helps reduce chronic inflammation and promote immune system balance.

Brain Inflammation Modulation

1. Endorphin Production: The increase in endorphins due to opioid receptor blockade not only helps regulate the immune system but also has anti-inflammatory effects on the brain. Endorphins can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promote a healthier brain environment.

2. Glial Cell Modulation: LDN modulates the activity of glial cells, which are key players in neuroinflammation. By reducing the activation of these cells, LDN helps decrease brain inflammation and protect neural tissue.

These mechanisms make LDN a promising therapeutic option for various conditions involving immune system dysregulation and chronic inflammation.

Dosage and Administration LDN is typically prescribed in doses ranging from 0.001mg to 16 mg per day, with most studies using a dose of 4.5mg per day. There is a slow and steady  titration protocol to find the most optimal dose.The medication is usually taken at bedtime.

Safety and Side Effects LDN is considered safe and well-tolerated. Common side effects are mild and may include vivid dreams, sleep disturbances, and gastrointestinal issues. We can lower the risk of these side effects through slow and steady titration. These side effects often diminish over time.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (PMHNP-BC)

A Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (PMHNP-BC) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who specializes in mental health care. PMHNPs are trained to provide a wide range of mental health services to individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan. They are equipped to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders, as well as provide therapy and prescribe medications.

Scope of Practice:

• Assessment and Diagnosis: PMHNPs conduct comprehensive assessments and diagnose mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more.

• Therapy: They provide individual, group, and family therapy, utilizing various therapeutic modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy.

• Medication Management: PMHNPs are authorized to prescribe and manage psychotropic medications, ensuring that patients receive the appropriate pharmacological treatment for their conditions.

• Crisis Intervention: They are trained to handle psychiatric emergencies and provide crisis intervention services.

• Collaboration: PMHNPs often work in collaboration with other healthcare providers, including primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and social workers, to ensure comprehensive care for their patients.

• Education and Advocacy: They educate patients and their families about mental health conditions and treatment options, and advocate for mental health awareness and access to care.

PMHNPs play a crucial role in the mental health care system, providing holistic and patient-centered care to improve the mental well-being of their patients

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) - Coming SOON

🌟 Exciting News from Warrior Rewild! 🌟

At Warrior Rewild, we always prioritize balancing hormones in a natural and holistic way. However, we understand that sometimes additional support is needed. That's why we're thrilled to announce that Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) will be available at our clinic starting later in January! 🌿✨

BHRT uses hormones that are chemically identical to those your body naturally produces, offering a more natural and effective approach to hormone balance. Here are some of the amazing benefits of BHRT:

1. Personalized Relief from Symptoms: BHRT can effectively alleviate menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances. The tailored approach ensures precise dosing for your unique hormonal profile.

2. Boosted Mental Health and Cognitive Function: Hormonal imbalances can affect mood and mental clarity. BHRT helps stabilize these fluctuations, improving mood, reducing anxiety, and enhancing cognitive function.

3. Enhanced Bone Density and Heart Health: Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density and protecting against cardiovascular disease. BHRT can help slow bone loss and support heart health.

4. Support for Overall Vitality and Longevity: Beyond symptom relief, BHRT contributes to improved energy, vitality, and overall quality of life. Many patients report feeling rejuvenated and more resilient after starting BHRT treatments.

Are you interested in learning more about how BHRT can benefit you? Let us know, and we'll reach out with the details ASAP! 🌸💪

Vis medicatrix naturae.

Vis medicatrix naturae. The healing power of nature. According to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) via medicatrix naturae is the inherent self-organizing and healing process of living systems which establishes, maintains and restores health. In other words, the bodies ability to heal itself! This Core principle of naturopathic medicine was expanded to include the healing power of nature on the human body. That while our bodies have an innate healing ability, this is maximized when we interact with the natural, non-built external environment. We currently live in a world of excessive screen time, lights at all hours of the day and rarely touching the earth. We eat food that is made in a factory and spend less and less time truly together: Then we scratch our heads 🤷‍♀️🙄 and wonder why we are sad, sick and fat. Get outside, move your body, spend time off your phones with the people who you love!❤️ And don’t forget to take your shoes off!

Rhodiola rosea

Rhodiola rosea has some great research behind it. It is an adaptogen, and helps to increase your ability to deal with chemical, biological and physical stress. It influences our neurotransmitters and beta-endorphins in our brain. Helping to normalize neurotransmitters in the CNSnwithout causing drowsiness or altered mental status. It has been shown to increase mental performance, improve concentration, as well enhance mood and over all well-being. I have seen this work very well in people with ADHD in particular!