Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Anxiety and insomnia form a bidirectional cycle: anxiety activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system, raising cortisol and norepinephrine levels that prevent sleep onset. Poor sleep then impairs prefrontal cortex function and emotional regulation, increasing next-day anxiety. A functional medicine approach…
Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Chronic low-grade inflammation may contribute to depression by activating the kynurenine pathway, an enzyme cascade that diverts the amino acid tryptophan away from serotonin production and toward neurotoxic metabolites such as quinolinic acid. This immune-driven biochemical shift, mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6…
Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Restorative sleep is one of the most effective interventions for managing ADHD-related brain fog and chronic fatigue. ADHD may disrupt circadian rhythm timing, cortisol regulation, and deep sleep architecture, leading to non-restorative sleep even when total sleep duration appears adequate. Targeted strategies addressing…
Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Dietary amino acids, B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc are required cofactors for synthesising GABA, serotonin, and other inhibitory neurotransmitters that regulate anxiety. Diets high in refined sugar and low in quality protein may shift the glutamate-to-GABA ratio toward excitatory dominance, while blood sugar…
Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Thoughts influence physical health by activating neuroendocrine pathways, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous system. Chronic psychological stress is associated with elevated cortisol, pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling, and impaired immune surveillance. Evidence-based stress-reduction practices such as diaphragmatic breathing and mindfulness meditation…
Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Music engages multiple brain systems simultaneously, including the auditory cortex, limbic system, and mesolimbic dopamine pathways. Research by Salimpoor et al. (2011) and others indicates that music listening and active musical engagement may reduce cortisol levels, modulate autonomic nervous system activity, and support…
Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Loneliness in older adults is associated with a 26% increased risk of premature mortality, according to a meta-analysis by Julianne Holt-Lunstad and colleagues published in Perspectives on Psychological Science. It may contribute to cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, depression, and chronic inflammation. Practical strategies…
Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Cannabidiol (CBD) may support sleep by modulating endocannabinoid system (ECS) tone, serotonin 5-HT1A receptor signalling, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. A 2019 case series by Shannon et al. in The Permanente Journal reported that 66.7% of participants experienced improved sleep scores within the…
Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Excessive screen time can affect health through two key mechanisms: blue light exposure suppressing melatonin production via the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and behavioural overstimulation of dopaminergic reward and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stress pathways. Over time, these disruptions may contribute to circadian rhythm misalignment, poor…
Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Red light therapy (photobiomodulation) is an emerging experimental approach being investigated for its potential to support brain health in individuals at risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Preclinical and early human studies suggest it may enhance mitochondrial ATP production, reduce beta-amyloid burden, and modulate neuroinflammation….
