ADHD-Hunters in a Farming World

ADHD-Hunters in a Farming World

By Dustin Jasmer 3/11/22


I often am tasked with giving patients and parents of patients a diagnosis of ADHD. Most of the time it comes with no surprise. Occasionally they are taken aback offended, saddened or even defensive with the diagnosis. These reactions likely come from the popular belief that ADHD is weakness, laziness, an excuse, a character flaw or “overly diagnosed.” All of these statements are untrue.


In an effort to deshame mental health I feel it prudent to inform whoever is reading this of a few thing about me. I have 4 college degrees. I have owned several successful businesses over the past 20 years. I continue to own and operate the first Nurse Practitioner Ambulatory Mental Health Clinic in Utah. This clinic helps several thousands of patients navigate their mental health diagnoses each year. I also have ADHD. For those of you who know me well you will not find this as a huge surprise. ADHD is not a weakness. I have found it to be incredibly empowering to find many explanations for behaviors I have had my whole life wrapped within this diagnosis. I believe that this diagnosis at times can be frustrating. Overall, ADHD is an advantage for me that I am very grateful for. I want to tell my friends, family and patients that ADHD is a strength and one that I am grateful to have inherited from both of my parents. It is a diagnosis that has a high genetic susceptibility. Adoption studies have shown that children are much more likely to have the ADHD traits of their biologic parents than of their adoptive parents. Therefore it is unlikely that ADHD can be learned or unlearned.


There is a growing body of research that shows ADHD is an ancient adaptation stemming from our early hominid ancestors. Genomic evidence shows that some early humans developed specific adaptive traits which allowed them to survive harsh environments around the same time they began using hand tools and becoming professional hunters. Other lineages of hominids(non-adhd) adaptations evolved towards farming and gathering and favored repetition (such as plowing or picking fruit) and likewise allowed them to survive. Those with the nomadic hunting type brain developed real specific skills which increased their survival probability as well.


Having ADHD kept our nomadic hunting ancestors alive and thus allowed them to pass their genes on to their ancestors. These skills included the ability to assess their surroundings rapidly (distractbility), high energy levels for long hunts (restlessness) hyperfocus on interesting things i.e. animals being hunted,(important jobs at work or video games). These hunters often struggled with impatience (impulsiveness), attraction to excitement/novelty (thrill seeking) and struggling to adhere to social norms.


Farmers on the other hand did not struggle with completing boring, repetitive tasks like plowing a field, picking fruit in lines day after day year after year. Similarly they do well with tasks such as sitting in one spot, memorizing facts and citing them them to their teachers. Offspring of farmers have gone on to seek out low stimulation jobs. They are the accountants, delivery drivers, middle managers, factory workers and the IT net-workers of the world. They do well in our school system that expects children to sit in one spot and do repetitive tasks day after day during the non farming months of the year Mid August through May.


What is the moral of the story? Hunter brains (ADHD) are good. Farmer brains are good. They are just different. Why do people get offended when they hear that they have ADHD? Because of their own personal bias. This is a bias that has been taught to them. It has been taught by society, our school system and often by our parents. It is wrong. There are very clear advantages to having ADHD. Let me point them out.


1. A person with ADHD has the ability to laser focus to a much greater degree than a person without ADHD. This is called hyperfocus. Some people describe hyperfocus as a dream like state where they can't even hear other peoples voices and tune outside noises out. Being pulled out of this state is incredibly disruptive to the persons thought process. It has the potential to bring about hyper-focus irritability. Imagine poking a cat in the side as it is in its hunting posture. What would happen? Irritability, Hissing? Scratching? Interrupt a modern human hunter while they are in the middle of getting their 12th kill on call of duty and you will get the same. Hyperfocus can be harnessed in life to accomplish more than video games. Many CEOs of large companies (Elon Musk for example) have discussed that they use their hyperfocus to accomplish tasks.


2. People with hunter brains (ADHD) also frequently have been shown in studies to have above average IQ's (108-113) based on studies. This is about 30%-60% higher than the average human.


3. People with ADHD tend to report higher than average energy levels than people without ADHD.


4. As far as symptoms go, people with ADHD perform equally or better than those without ADHD in school or work settings in uninteresting tasks/subjects once they are treated properly.


Now here is the best part for everyone who thinks ADHD is a weakness. Take these 4 things and combine them. You have a person who 1. Has a greater than average ability to concentrate on interesting things, an equal ability concentrate on uninteresting things, a higher than average intelligence and higher than average energy level. This sounds like a super power.


Generally the hardest part of treating ADHD is to overcome the shame that parents and society have put on our children. Please remember that you or your child inherited a special gift that kept your ancestors alive for thousands of years and that gift permitted you to be alive today. Society changed around us and now we do not need to hunt our food. Us hunters do live in a farming society. That doesn't mean that we cannot thrive in our farming schools and farming work places. I believe that the biggest weakness that a person with ADHD has is that of society and family imposed stigma. ADHD is a strength. I will correct anyone who says otherwise.

How We All have to Pay the Piper with Stress, Anxiety and delayed depression-A tale of grief, caregiver fatigue and what comes after…

How We All have to Pay the Piper with Stress, Anxiety and delayed depression

A tale of grief, caregiver fatigue and what comes after…

By Dustin Jasmer FNP

I often see patients who are are caregivers. These caregivers come in many different shape, sizes and backgrounds. Some are housewives caring for multiple children that demand their constant attention. Some are spouses, significant others or other family members whose loved one suffers from a substance abuse issue and they expend all their time worrying about whether their loved one will come home safe tonight, get another DUI or perhaps even end up overdosing. They are simply doing their best to prevent this from occurring. I see people who are caring for an extremely ill family member who has a physical or mental health issue. It is their duty and they have taken it on in stride. Others work 3 jobs because of their financial situation. They see no other choice but to care for their family financially. Maybe its a person who is drawn to emotionally unstable partners. Some term this as a “White Knight persona”. This person feels they need to save people from themselves. I've heard these people refer to themselves as “I have a big heart but my people picker is broken”. These caregivers may come in the form of a new parent who cares for their infant late at night and they go without adequate food/sleep for days or months at a time. Another caregiver I see are children who grow up in homes with parents who are abusive or neglectful. They end up caring for themselves, their pets, their parents or their siblings. There are so many different types of caregivers it would be difficult to name them all. One thing they all have in common is that they are surviving and not meeting their higher needs. Their most essential needs are being met but not much else. To understand you have to have a basic understanding of Maslows Hierarchy. Maslow was psychologist who introduced a theory that stated that there were several basic psychological needs and one must be met in order for the next to be met. I have posted a diagram below:

Maslows hierarchy.png

For example: If a person does not meet their physiological needs first, safety is of little importance. They need to have oxygen, food and water. As soon as these needs are met they move on to meeting their next need: feeling safe and secure and having shelter. Once this need is met they move on to feeling loved and belonging. Once they have met this need then they can move on to esteem or how they view themselves. At the top of the pyramid: Self actualization. This stage is rarely reached. If people do reach it, its generally not for long periods of time. Its where one reaches their full potential. Often people move between the stages periodically throughout their life.

A common theme that occurs in each of these scenarios is that the caregivers are often stuck. They are stuck in one of the stages of psychological levels of progression. They wish their loved one would have a different outcome or that their situation could be different. Eventually it does come to a head. Maybe their spouse gets clean. Maybe the abusive parent moves out. Perhaps the illness is now well managed, or their loved pass away after years of struggling with it. Regardless the of the outcome, eventually and inevitably the situation will change. Heraclitus of Ephesus a Greek philosopher, is quoted as saying "change is the only constant in life." and this is still true to this day.

What Comes After? Simple answer: Everyone must pay the piper.

It is often surprising to patients that although their partial relief after the source of their stress is no longer present the emotions often come pouring in. They have moved beyond the stage of being stuck in “survival mode”. The years of accumulated emotions and delayed depression hit them like a freight train. They think to themselves “This is the only thing I have ever wanted, why now am I feeling like this?” There are many studies that show that accumulated stresses over a life time take a toll. Take for instance the adverse childhood event (ACE) studies done by the CDC and others which show that the more traumatic experiences a child experiences in their life, the more likely they are to experience depression, substance abuse, COPD, asthma, cancer, suicide, heart disease, early death, etc. These studies have been replicated many times and its likely that the findings apply to adults as well.

I see this in my practice all the time. I see a patient who comes in and they state: “My father died last week. I expected to be very depressed but I am doing quite well. I just had the funeral yesterday”. I do standard depression/anxiety screenings, it is true, their depression is in fact doing well. I always schedule them for a 1-2 month followup. I explain that they were likely busy with the funeral arrangements, surrounded by family, and that grief is normal, depression is not expected but that grief puts them at higher risk for relapse. Sometimes on followup they are doing fine but often depression has relapsed once they get back to their everyday routine.

Another scenario would be a spouse who for years has worried about her husbands addiction to pain pills or alcohol. She had often found him passed out and often worried about the fact that he might die. He had been in and out of jail and even considered leaving him. Eventually he goes to detox and treatment. She prayed for this for years. Suddenly she is depressed; She is anxious that he might relapse but he is such a different, a better man. For so many years she had exhausted all of her emotional resources on him that she had forgotten about her own needs and emotions. Now that survival mode is over, the emotional inner turmoil begins…

What is the Solution?

This scenario plays out in so many different ways that it would be impossible to name them all but I think you get the idea. So what is the solution?
1. See a good therapist: I recommend seeing a good therapist that knows how to deal with your specific scenario. Our staff can make a recommendation if you need.
2. Put yourself First No matter your situation, put yourself first. There is a reason that airlines tell you to put oxygen on yourself before your child if a plane loses compression. If you put it on your child first, you will pass out and your child will get anxious remove their oxygen in their disoriented state. Both of you will perish. If you put on yourself first, your child will go without briefly, get lightheaded and then you can attend to them. In the end you both will survive. For the same reason there is a rope on the end of life saving buoy. If you jump in to save a drowning person, the drowning person will frantically grab on to you. Both of you will drown. If you throw out a buoy, they have the option to grab it or not. Ultimately it is their choice. The point is, never let someone drown you. Offer a buoy but don't jump in. People are better caretakers when they make themselves a priority. Get your sleep, eat well, take your medicine and minimize your stress.
3. Plan: Knowing that you are at risk for deferred depression or accumulated stress/anxiety/depression reactions down the line can help you better prepare for when they do occur. Be ready. Know that when you are taking on other peoples problems and you aren't fully dealing with your own lets you prepare. Your own issues will eventually come creeping back. Don't make impulsive decisions and never act on emotion. One thing I tell my patients is that “You can't do math when you are running from a bear”. People who have high amounts of anxiety tend to make worse decisions during higher periods of anxiety. Only make decisions when you are calm and collected and remember that anger and anxiety are synonyms. Don't ever speak to anyone when they are angry, try to think of a time when you have changed someones mind when they are angry or when your mind has been changed when you are upset or anxious. It doesn't happen. Angry people aren't rationale in that moment and anger is simply anxiety but further on the spectrum.
4. Set boundaries- Don't take on others emotions. Your emotions should be yours and others should be their own. Nobody can “make you feel” anything. Stick to your boundaries. If people cross them ,then you have then hold then you have to make let them know they can't. Don't set boundaries that you aren't willing to stick to or others won't take you seriously. You need clearly communicate what your boundaries are and what the consequences are for stepping over them and then be a person of your word at all times.
5. Don't expect anything of other people, only of yourself- Both in the bible and Buddhist there are similar passages with similar and wise words “Expectations are premeditated resentments”. I believe it is wise to follow this advice. I believe it is better to have hopes than expectations for people. Hope that a person will do certain things but know that nobody will EVER live up to EVERYTHING that you desire. It is impossible that someone can be everything you desire them to be. If you expect them to, you will only resent them when they aren't. Change your own outlook on life and people to hopes and boundaries. Hope they will do things and if they don't then you have to determine if when those hopes were not met if boundaries were crossed. If so then you have to make a decision about your expectations for yourself, not another. It is impossible to control people and often the outcome of certain situations and attempting to do so will only increase your both your anxiety, frustration and turmoil. You will find that your anxiety with others will decrease when you realize that it is impossible to change another person if you change your own reaction to a person. That person may decide to change on their own, but maybe not. Either way, it isn't an expectation so there is no need to resent them for not doing so.

You would never pet a badger. You would never expect a zebra to have different stripes. A rabid dog will always bite you when you approach them no matter your intentions. Some people won't change, don't want to or simply don't have the resources to. Don't treat them in a way that they they aren't capable of handling. Only YOU can change. They must make the decision for themselves. In all my years of working with people, I have never changed anyone, they have always changed themselves because they expected it of themselves and that’s all I could ever hope for.

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Insomnia and implications with Mental Health

Insomnia and Mental Health
Editorial By Dustin Jasmer FNP

I am routinely asked about sleep. What is enough? What is the right kind of sleep? How do I know if I am getting enough? Why is it so important? Why does Dustin ask about sleep in nearly every followup appointment with me? I will answer all of these questions below:

The National Institute of Health recommend that adults get 7-8 uninterrupted hours of sleep nearly every night, teens need 9-10 hours of sleep, School aged children need at least 10, preschoolers get 11-12 and newborns get 16-18 hours of sleep. If you or your child aren't getting that, something is wrong. There are some people who do well with slightly less or need slightly more but there should not be huge variances. I am not a sleep expert and I don't claim to know everything about sleep but I have decided that I would devote a significant amount of time to researching this subject over the past few years and I have discovered quite a few interesting things.

How do I know if I get enough sleep? You can answer yes to the following three questions. If you can, then you are probably OK, if not then further workup is probably needed.

1. Am I getting the recommended amount for my age group?

2. Do I wake up rested?

3. Do I dream regularly? (more on this later)

Problems associated with Lack of Sleep according to multiple studies:

1. Daytime fatigue.
2. Memory Consolidation
3.Medical Issues: It has been shown in clinical trials and observational studies that lack of sleep or quality sleep can induce and/worsen: Early death, ADHD, depression, psychosis, stroke, elevated blood pressure, migraines, traffic accidents, heart disease, heart failure, irregular heart beats, high blood pressure, diabetes, low testosterone, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, growth hormone deficiency, aging skin, impaired judgment, autoimmune disorders, respiratory illnesses, higher various cancer rates, suicidal thoughts, worsening of mania, depression, schizophrenia, OCD, Autism and various other mental health disorders. 
4. Decreased ability to handle stress
5. Decreased optimism
6. Increased food consumption
7. Decreased levels of Growth Hormone, Testosterone, Estrogen and Progesterone
8. Higher levels of cortisol (stress hormone)
9. Unemployment
10. Work accidents (Chernobyl, Exxon Valdez are two notable sleep deprivation examples)
11. Driving performance which has been shown to have similar reaction times as alcohol consumption (increased motor accidents)

So I might have a problem with sleep, now what?

There are many problems that can cause sleep disruption and so no one treatment is appropriate for everyone. The one consistent answer is that everyone needs adequate sleep. The first key to treating sleep deprivation is finding the cause and eliminating or treating it.

Some of the most frequent causes of sleep disruption:

1. Schedules that interfere with IE. job, school, kids, care-giving role etc.
2. Having a partner who snores or has a sleep disorder. 
3. Having improper sleep hygiene (more on this later)
4. Drugs, Nicotine, Caffeine and Alcohol taken too close to bedtime- This includes prescribed medications that have an ability to interfere with proper sleep. The list of prescribed drugs is extensive but there are hundreds of drugs that can interfere with proper sleep. The list includes many over the counter sleep aids and even commonly prescribed drugs for sleep such as Ambien, Xanax, Klonopin, Lunesta and even some vitamins such as B6, (commonly found in melatonin supplements) B12 and others.
5. Light- Having lights on, or watching anything that emits an electronic light can suppress melatonin production and sensitivity.
6. Sound- Having music with a beat or excessive instrumental music can disrupt sleep according to many studies. Also sleeping with the TV or radio on impairs adequate sleep maintenance.
7. Staying in bed for too long thinking about trying to go to sleep.
8. Acute stress events
9. Medical problems- Restless legs, Iron deficiency, Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, GERD, Periodic Limb Movements, Asthma, Chronic Pain, Allergies, sinus problems, Sleep Apnea. Menopause, Andropause (low testosterone), menstrual variations.
10. Psychiatric Problems-Bipolar, Anxiety, OCD, Depression, ADHD, PTSD and Parasomnias such as night terrors, Periodic Limb Movement, sexsomnia, sleep talking or other.
11. Neurological Problems such as epilepsy, MS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s can all cause sleep disruption.

Treatment of Sleep Disruption

Treatment of sleep disruption largely depends on what is causing it in the first place. Each cause can be treated differently and some treatments can worsen sleep if the diagnosis is wrong or if there are multiple factors affecting sleep.

Some of the common treatments that could employed:
1. Good Sleep Hygiene as outlined in the paragraph below.
2. Melatonin as a first line. This can be used for almost any person at nearly every age. There are studies showing that this is a potent antioxidant. It can help with growth hormone release (which helps heal damaged tissue and with insulin sensitivity), and it often helps with both sleep onset and sleep maintenance. For this reason it has been used intravenously with success in some NICU's after premature infants have had brain damage due to lack of oxygen. Many people have worries that it can suppress ones ability to produce melatonin but this does not appear to be true. Another worry commonly brought up by parents is that it may cause premature puberty. This is due to one obscure study in 1992 that demonstrated that juvenile rats given melatonin tended to hit full sexual maturity one month earlier than rats not given melatonin. It has never been shown in humans based on the research I have located. Melatonin is also critical in creation of several neurotransmitters. So far, I have never seen any study that advise against melatonin. Dose is highly dependent on the individual. I usually recommend 3-12 mg for children and up to 20 mg for adults although I have patients who take more and benefit from it. Avoid melatonin products which contain B6 as this can be stimulatory, especially at night. 
3. Treatment of the Underlying issue- This can include starting with treating depression, bipolar, anxiety disorders, hormonal abnormality first and then moving on to sleep if still present. Often when this is addressed the sleep disruption self corrects. If there is a secondary sleep issue such as restless legs, sleep apnea, circadian rhythm disorder, night terrors or parasomnia this may need to be treated separately and possibly diagnosed by a sleep study.
4. Weight loss- Weight loss can help with sleep improvement but review the eating and exercise recommendations below in the sleep hygiene section. Some weight loss medications may worsen sleep.
5. Therapy with a licensed therapist- There are many different ways that a licensed therapist could help with sleep and should be discussed with a therapist. They may implement cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis or other options that should be discussed with a therapist. 
6. Medications such as Ambien, Lunesta, Klonopin, Xanax and others can be used for a short period of time to help restore sleep cycles but should not be used for long periods. They have been shown to suppress REM on EEG studies and therefore prevent restful sleep. Many people report that they are able to stay asleep while on these medications but EEG sleep studies show that they decrease night time awakening but prevent the most restful types of sleep which are needed for people. Additionally there have been many reports of people who sleep walk, drive and even do chores around the house.
7. Medications such as Trazodone, Seroquel, Amitryptiline, Remeron, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Lyrica, Doxepin (silenor) bellsomra and others have shown to be beneficial in helping with sleep (with the exception of Lamictal which is generally non-sedating but does increase REM frequency).
8. Over the counter Medications/Herbals- Medications such as benadryl, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine and others tend to be sedating but do not assist in sleep maintenance or providing good quality sleep because they actually are stimulatory to parts of the brain that promote wakefulness. Valerian Root, Chamomile, lemon balm, catnip, passion flower and GABA at small doses all have research which show benefits with few side effects. L-Theanine has been shown in some clinical trials to be helpful with sleep associated with ADHD, especially in males. Kava Kava should be avoided as it can cause liver damage. Although 5-HTP may have some benefits in helping with depression, clinical trials have showed limited benefit with insomnia. 
9. Hydrotherapy: Essentially a warm bath has been shown in some clinical trial to reduce insomnia
10. Meditation/self hypnosis: Clinical trials have shown benefits for Insomnia arising from various causes
11:Magnet Therapy: Although I am not familiar the specifics on how to implement this therapy, I must include it because some clinical trial have shown benefit and I don't know of any side effects unless there is a pacemaker, implanted metal device or vagal nerve stimulator present. Feel free to Google the “how to” on this. 
12: Aromatherapy: Some clinical trials have shown usefulness with various oil preparations and these are generally considered safe for external use. Not all studies have shown benefit but this could be because it is hard to do placebo controls.

Dreams

Nobody knows for sure what the purpose for dreams why people dream but dreams are generally considered to be a functional process of emotional/working memory. Many people state: Everybody dreams but not everybody remembers their dreams. This is partially true.

Sleep Cycles

Dreams occur in REM sleep. To understand dreams you must understand REM vs Non-Rem sleep. There are five stages of sleep. There are four stages of NREM which are progressively deeper and REM (rapid eye movement) when the brain is actually dreaming. Neuroscientists have shown that the part of the brain responsible for making decisions/processing the environment is “off”. The limbic system is on fully. This explains why dreams are so closely related to emotion and not suppressed by the part of the brain that normally has that ability. When a person shuts their eyes and sleep starts, they enter stage 1 NREM, It gets deeper and deeper until it reaches stage 4 NREM. After reaching stage 4 of non-REM for a period of time: generally 30-90 minutes the brain wakes up slightly going from 4,3,2 and then enters the first REM cycle. REM doesn't typically occur until you have gone through this cycle. You will then have a REM cycle which you probably will dream but generally brief and much shorter in sleep deprived individuals. During this first stage, the REM cycle is very short and then the cycle enters back into stage 2,3 and 4 Non-REM. In sleep deprived individuals, the Non-REM is much longer and frequent than those getting adequate sleep, therefore dreaming is suppressed. This is thought to be the case due to the fact that Non-REM is essential for survival and REM is essential for processing emotional memory which the brain designates of secondary importance. The second Cycle of REM/Non-REM ratio will become shorter with progressively shorter Non-REM episodes later in the sleep cycle.

Why is understanding the REM/Non-REM cycle important to understanding dreams? People are unlikely to remember dreams during the initial REM cycles even IF they are occurring due to the shortness, infrequency and poor quality of the initial stages of sleep. Later in the sleep cycle dreams occur at much longer intervals and emotional processing becomes much more efficient. Have you ever noticed that on those days that you get to sleep that those are the days that you feel like you dreamt all night long? You can remember your dreams and they often have personal meaning to you.

Researchers have shown the dreaming regularly is a sign that sleep quality is efficient. It has been shown that longer REM cycles are associated with greater mental performance, lower depression rates, less mental/physical fatigue and memory consolidation.

I don't like dreaming

I often get questions from patients about a side effect of a new medication for sleep. One of the most common is: “My dreams are so Bizarre, Vivid or Violent”. I often tell people that as long as they are getting adequate rest that the dream quality will likely improve. When adequate REM has been suppressed for long periods of time a person may experience day time dreaming or “feeling like they are in a dream like state”. When it is restored to a healthy night balance, it seems like the brain processes as many emotions and important memories as possible. I explain this as an “Emotional Diarrhea” so to speak. The brain is very efficient at “Cleaning up” and it generally will get out what designates as the most important first. Quite often, dreams will become much more pleasant after prolonged periods of adequate sleep quality. Pretty soon you will stop having those dreams of being naked in front of your boss and you will start having dreams of unicorns and rainbows again.

What about recurrent Nightmares?

Nightmares are also a form the brain working through emotional information. Recurrent nightmares can be a sign of PTSD, anxiety (acute or chronic), grief or even a temporary stressor. I often have patients tell me that they hate their nightmares. Sometimes its a good idea to take medication to temporarily block the effects of nightmares (in the case of PTSD) but generally the best way to overcome a nightmare is to figure out “What” your brain is trying to tell you and work through that emotional issue, often with the help of a counselor.

Dream Meanings in General

I don't claim to be a dream analyst or specialist in this area in any sense of the word. I have had many conversations and researched dozens of scientific studies on the subject. After my research, I have come to some conclusions but they are not facts. My opinion is that dreams usually have some personal meaning to the individual. All persons, people and objects in the dream have something to do with the individual having them, not actually to do with the person they are about. They are a representation of what that individual, item or situation meant to them and the emotions that they associated with it. These components are often accompanied with something that their subconscious deems similar-Almost as a way as their brain saying “You have been through this situation before, you can handle this.” Dreams are highly abstract for most people. For example: I often have people tell me about dreams where someone is dying, they are dying or they are actually killing someone. Although distressing, I believe dreams like these CAN be seen as a positive. If you think about death, it is the ultimate change. Life ends. I believe that when a person dies in a dream it usually indicates that the concept or emotion that that person represents to the person is probably changing or has changed in some way. It is the brains way of processing that change emotionally and helping it consolidate into long term memory. The one exception would be if the dream is a re-experience of a traumatic death which has induced PTSD nightmares. I believe these dreams are the brains way of trying to cope with that severe trauma. Once again, I am not dream specialist but the one thing that the research has shown is that they are necessary for many important emotional/psychological processes. People should be having them and remembering them often except perhaps right after a trauma when it is highly distressing.

How do I know if I am getting enough sleep?

I tell my patients that there are three questions to ask yourself every day when you wake up and then you will know if you are sleeping adequately. 
1. Did I get my recommended amount of uninterrupted sleep per the NIH guidelines?
2. Do I feel rested?
3. Did I dream?
If you can answer yes to all of these questions then you PROBABLY are getting enough sleep. Too much is not necessarily a good thing either so remember not to over do it. If you are still unsure you can consider getting sleep monitoring apps for your smart phone. One I find useful is Sleepbot which monitors sound, movement and can even set an alarm within 30 minutes of waking to awaken you when it believes that you are likely to be in a REM cycle and not stage 2-4 when it is more jarring. Another good option would be purchasing a Fitbit, Garmin or the I-watch for Iphones.

Sleep Hygiene Recommendations taken from the University of Maryland Sleep Specialty Clinic

1. Establish a regular time for going to bed and getting up in the morning. Stick to this schedule even on weekends and during vacations. 
2. Use the bed for sleep and sexual relations only, not for reading, watching television, or working. Excessive time in bed disrupts sleep. 
3. Avoid naps, especially in the evening. 
4. Exercise before dinner. A low point in energy occurs a few hours after exercise; sleep will then come more easily. Exercising close to bedtime, however, may increase alertness. 
5. Taking a hot bath about 1.5 - 2 hours before bedtime may help you fall asleep more easily. (Taking a bath just before bed may increase alertness.) 
6. Do something quiet and relaxing in the 30 minutes before bedtime. Reading, meditating, or a leisurely walk are all appropriate activities. 
7. Keep the bedroom relatively cool and well ventilated. 
8. Do not look at the clock. Obsessing over time will just make it more difficult to sleep. 
9. Eat light meals, and schedule dinner 4 - 5 hours before bedtime. A light snack before bedtime can help sleep, but a large meal may have the opposite effect. 
10. Spend at least a half hour in daylight every day. The best time is early in the day. 
11. Avoid fluids just before bedtime so that sleep is not disturbed by the need to urinate. 
12. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine in the hours before sleep. 
13. Avoid alcohol in the hours before bedtime. While alcohol may help you fall asleep quickly, it can cause you to awaken in the middle of the night. 
14. If still awake after 15-20 minutes, go into another room, read or do a quiet activity using dim lighting until feeling very sleepy. (Don't watch television or use bright lights.) 
15. If distracted by a sleeping bed partner, moving to the couch or a spare bed for a couple of nights might be helpful. 
16. If a specific worry is keeping you awake, thinking of the problem in terms of images rather than in words may help you to fall asleep more quickly and to wake up with less anxiety.

Specific tips I recommend in addition to Sleep Hygiene
1. For those who cannot or will not get off their phones, there are settings to invert the screen at night or to make it not emit blue light after dusk which can activate automatically.
2. If you have you are a person that stays up worried about the day, or what you have to do the next day, write your thoughts on paper and then put the paper upside down on your bedside table. This allows your brain to stop processing the thoughts repetitively and have some finality to those thoughts at least until you wake up.
3. Get rid of noises that keep that keep the brain active including music, especially if it has a beat or loud instrumentals. Also turn off the TV. Its never a good idea to fall asleep watching TV, your brain will continue listening as you sleep and you will not sleep as deep.
4. White noise can be a good thing for many people. Turning on a fan or white noise generator that doesn't cause brain activation can drown out noises that cause you to wake up.
5. Don't have topics of discussion which are stressful right before bed with a significant other. This can cause periodic sleep interruption unless you are pretty sure that it will turn out positive.
6. Darken the windows and remove light sources as much as possible, even in children. If they are too scared to sleep in the dark try progressively using a darker and darker nightlight until it isn't needed. There are studies that show that enforced darkness at night can help with mood.
7. Massage/Touch therapy- Consider getting a massage or just cuddle with your loved one. This can be calming release endorphins and other neurohormones which can be beneficial for sleep.
8. Don't allow children to watch scary or violent films, especially before bed.
9. Don't try to talk your children out of the fact that there are monsters in the closet. They often know this is an irrational fear but anxiety takes over. Instead come up with a way to calm their fears about it such as a protective teddy bear. I have one parent who has even placed toy gun “booby traps” in the room and said that it would protect them from any intruders.
11. Don't talk to children about grades, discipline or major behavioral issues right before bed if possible. Try to do this earlier in the night if possible.
12. Have a nighttime ritual that is calming. Don't wrestle or rough house shortly before bed. Maybe read a story. I personally recommend telling your children several good things about themselves right as they go to bed. Every night before bed I ask my daughter to repeat “I am smart. I am kind. I am generous. I am hardworking. I am an advocate. I am brave. I can do anything I want in my life. I am loved. I am healthy. I am funny. I am patient. I concentrate well. I am safe. People like me.” I tell her to sleep well, that I love her, to have good dreams and that I look forward to seeing her in the morning. This is very calming to her and she often repeats these things about herself during the day. 
13. Consider therapy, medications or alternative treatments if sleep continues to be an issue.

Non-Medication Options of Improving Mental Health Diagnoses Per Medical Research

Non Pharmacological Ways of Improving Mental Health Diagnoses

According Medical Research
By Dustin Jasmer

Updated List as of 8/6/2020

Thanks for being patient as it has been a while since this has been updated. On this list I have added a few more botanical moved CBD to a YES instead of neutral and added more quite a few citations. I will work on getting even more citations in the future. I will try to update this every few months with more citations as research develops (and it constantly does).

I am often asked by patients “What can I do besides medication to help my diagnosis?”

I constantly do research on this subject and here are a few things I've discovered (although this page may only get update about once a year or so):

1. Exercise 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week. Exercising will suppress cortisol levels for up to 48 hours. Never take more than 2 days off in a row. Research shows that light exercise is no less beneficial than heavy exercise so the important thing is to stay active.

2. Therapy-Therapy in combination with medication is the single most effective means helping with depression/anxiety but often therapy alone can be effective for depression/anxiety and may be a good first line option. There are many styles that can and should be explored such as CBT, DBT, Talk therapy, hypnotherapy, gestalt, integrative, spiritual based, EMDR, life span integration or many other styles as well.

3. Get a pet- Therapy animals have been shown to reduce levels of depression and anxiety in many people according to studies.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shoshana_Shiloh/publication/247496989_Reduction_of_state-anxiety_by_petting_animals_in_a_controlled_laboratory_experiment/links/554dc00d08ae12808b34fc38/Reduction-of-state-anxiety-by-petting-animals-in-a-controlled-laboratory-experiment.pdf

4. Keep your family close- Research has shown that having a valued support system like your family and being able to confide in loved ones can be invaluable in times of depression and high anxiety. It is very tempting to push people away during periods of high stress but this is when you need to lean on those that love you.

5. Find a spiritual support system that fits your ideals- Research shows that people that have a belief in something bigger than themselves experience less depression. These studies have shown that no specific religion is superior to another. It does not matter whether you are Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Islam, Spiritual or other. Find something outside yourself to believe According to the research, you may have find yourself with less depression.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4008297/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23547646/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21865527

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/drt/2012/962860/#conclusions

6. Have fewer friends- I often see posts on facebook saying that people would rather have 4 quarters than a 100 pennies when it comes to friends. According to research this is true. It is better to have fewer friends but have closer friends that you can confide in. This will help lower your chances of depression.

https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/mental-health/470062-why-having-a-few-friends-is-better-than-many

7. Eat a low carbohydrate, high fat, high protein diet-Studies have shown that carbohydrates are highly inflammatory and that cutting them out of the diet can be associated with lower depression/anxiety scores. The brain is not meant to function on constant blood sugar peaks and troughs. Humans have only been eating carbohydrates year since the industrial revolution and are not evolved to eat carbohydrates in the manner in which we do in this day in age. Prior to the industrial revolution there were some grains consumed but carbohydrates were eaten one time a year when fruit ripened and was taken off of a tree once per year. The remainder of the year, meat and vegetables were the staples. If you want to reduce depression, try keeping your carbohydrates below 100 Grams per day, unlike the average American that eats over 300-400 Grams per day.

A few recommended diets in order of highest research (based on my opinion) for mental health that can be looked into are:

a. Mediterranean diet
B. Paleo- IE the caveman diet
c. South Beach diet
e. If you simply cannot go without carbs, look at the “Mommy Fit” diet which has less research but seems scientifically sound. It involves removing one major fuel source per meal.
f. Weight watchers, although not low carbohydrate does have a proven track record of weight loss and weight loss has been associated with lower levels depression of anxiety/depression.

8. Find and develop a Hobby-Hobbies have been shown to decrease depression levels according to many clinical studies. Find something interesting that doesn't interfere with your daily life and set some time aside for yourself to do it regularly.

9. Lighting-Recent studies have shown that light therapy for seasonal affective disorder can actually help in non winter months as well. It may be worthwhile to use these lights year round, especially for those people who work night shifts or for those who work in dark offices. This is true in the Winter and the Summer. You can buy these cheaply on Amazon and recently even and wholesale warehouses such as Sams Club. In the winter Jasmer health buys a few and keeps them on hand to those who wish to buy them.

10. Darkness- I just mentioned that light is helpful. This is can be very true. On the other side. On the other hand people with mood disorders can potentially have mood activation during seasonal changes. In some clinical trials they have done darkness studies where they had them eliminate all light for 8-12 hours at night. In other studies they simply wore glasses that blocked the Blue rays throughout the day during the spring and summer months. In each of these studies people diagnosed with mood disorders had improvements in sleep and mood. These sunglasses can be purchased on Amazon for as cheap as $6 or as much as $400 depending on your style.

11. Meditation- Meditation, self-hypnosis, mindfulness and deep breathing exercises have been shown to reduce levels of depression/Anxiety and may help with ADHD symptoms. There are many CD's and Youtube videos, books, Podcast etc. that can teach you to do this.

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/9/8/e028527.full.pdf

12. Acupuncture- Acupuncture and acupressure when done by a trained practitioner have been shown to reduce levels of depression and anxiety in clinical trials.

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/9/8/e028527.full.pdf

13. Massage- getting regular massages have been shown to decrease levels of anxiety and depression in some patients, especially older patients in some studies. The have also shown to lower cortisol blood levels and decrease inflammatory markers in the blood in some studies.

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/9/8/e028527.full.pdf

14. Bio/Neurofeedback- This is a controversial treatment. The research is still up in the air on this one. I have several patients that have told me this has helped them. I don't have any that have told me that it has hurt them. However the clinical trials show that it is beneficial mainly for short periods of time and that it must be continued on an ongoing basis. I suppose that this is true of most treatments. The downside is that it can be very expensive and difficult to determine how and when it is effective. Also it has been never been shown to be any more effective than sham-controlled treatment in a randomized controlled trial. I don't recommend against it but as of now the jury is still out on how helpful it is on a long term basis.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4892319/

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/9/8/e028527.full.pdf

15. Find a Purpose to your Life-This is perhaps the hardest thing on the list. Find a reason to wake up every day and be excited about your day. Enjoy what do you with your life. If you hate your job, the things that you do, your situation in life and your surroundings it will be difficult to get your depression under control. I am not recommending that people with severe depression make huge life changes like quit a good paying job but try to find meaning within what you are doing. Some have done this by feeding the homeless, others through bodybuilding, through volunteer work, others do this by spending time in nature, others find meaning by spending extra time with their family or their art work. Whatever it is, you must find a purpose to your life rather than going through life like a robot.

16. Transmagnetic Stimulation- Humans have been experimenting with magnet therapy since 1881 when Michael Faraday was able to create a magnetic field by running electricity through a coil. The alternating magnetic field can also affect conductors in its vicinity, such as another metal coil conductor or even neurons in the brain.

In TMS, when applying the magnet generated by a coil to the head, the brain will be permeated quite easily by the Magnetic Field and will affect the neurons. When the magnetic field intensifies or changes quick enough, it affects the neurons by depolarizing them and making them releases the neurotransmitters that regulate brain functions.

In mid-1900's researchers from the field of Psychiatrists started studying the effect of rTMS (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) in treatment of depression (George et al, 1995; Pascual-Leone et al., 1996). More and more studies published thereafter demonstrated that rTMS can be used therapeutically for a long lasting effect in a variety of mental health diagnoses besides depression. More than 10 years later, about 90 clinical trials done and several meta-analyses suggested that TMS could be a viable option. The first phase III, randomized, sham-controlled multi-site study that used rTMS in treatment-resistant major depression of 301 patients was conducted and led to US FDA approval of this new technique in clinical treatment of depression (O'Reardon et al, 2007). It showed substantial improvement of the patients’ mood. Some devices and protocols have been used to successfully treat OCD and Smoking cessation with a 50% success rate. As of Spring 2020, Jasmer Health has been using this treatment succesfully with patients for depression.

Check out our website https://www.jasmerhealth.com/new-page-1

Or other resources here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5612370/

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/847507

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6047114/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278584606000492

17. Stellate Ganglion block- Although not an entirely a drug free option some patients may have the potential down the line to benefit from this treatment. It has long been used for pain management treatment. It is a treatment which involves blocking the nerve involved in the fight or flight response in the C6 nerve in the neck. So far the results have been only slightly better than when a patient was injected with saline specifically for PTSD in randomized controlled trials. Further study on this is warranted.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442253/

18. Noise Cancellation/ Acoustic earbuds for ADHD.

Studies show that Noise cancellation technology can significantly improve ADHD symptoms in the classroom setting greater than a nonstimulant medication alone. Many patients with ADHD also suffer from symptoms of hyperacusis or being overly aware of their stimuli when attempting to focus on difficult subject matter. This technology has been shown in multiple studies to be a viable option to assist when studies are required with multiple stimuli occurring and dis tractability is likely.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5011143/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6863142/

Supplements-

1. Take Omega 3 and 9 Omega Fatty Acids- A good source of these are from fish like salmon or you can get supplements from the health food store or even walmart, costco, or sams club. This is safe for children and has been shown to increase levels of focus in ADHD in some studies and decrease depression and anxiety in other studies. I recommend around 2400 mg daily. Studies have also shown that Omega fatty acids have beneficial cholesterol effects. Since the majority of the cholesterol is processed by the liver at night, I recommend taking fish oil at bedtime. There are tasteless and “burpless” preparations of fishoil that can purchased. One specific brand that I like is a lemon cream pie liquid version that can be bought at Costco which children actually like. Flax-seed or plant based omega oils are not as effective as fish oil per research.

2. Increase B-12 Consumption. This is a water soluble vitamin that the body often has trouble absorbing. Sub-lingual preparations are often best. I recommend between 2,000-5,000 mcg. This is much higher than the FDA recommended daily allowance but it it is water soluble and easily eliminated in the urine. I recommend methycobalamin (methyl-B12) as not everyone can utilize cyanocobolamin which is the most common type of B12 that is available. You need to be aware of tingling in your fingers and toes however because there have been reports of neuropathy with long term high dose B12 exposure but this is rare and possibly due to the fact that b-12 deficiency itself can cause neuropathy as well but either way it is good to be watchful of side effects. B-12 deficiency can cause depression, anemia, fatigue, lethargy and in severe cases even stupor. It is more common with alcoholics, those on stomach acid reducing medications, celiacs disease or those with the MTHFR SNP who can have symptoms even with “normal” b-12 levels.

3. Methylfolate- There is research that many people with depression may benefit from methyl folate. Deplin is a prescription Folate medication that has been approved by the FDA for depression but methylfolate is also available over the counter at health food stores. In many studies it has been shown to help with ADHD, austism, mood disorders and even schizophrenia, You must be careful when taking methylfolate because folate is responsible for nearly 200 metabolic processes in the body. Methyfolate is different than folic acid. Some people cannot convert folic acid to methyfolate in their body due to a gene which is very common in the United states so it is better to take the active form of this nutrient just in case. You must start slow when taking methylfolate (400 mcg). Slowly increase your dose over a period of a few weeks. Do not start this until you have been on methyl-b12 for at least two months first. There have have isolated studies of spinal cord atrophy if a person starts this prematurely although these are very early studies. When you get too high on your dose you can become agitated, angry, have sleep problems or have tremors. The benefits include higher levels of energy, mental clarity and often reduced need for medications but be careful and watchful as it is potent. Dose ranges vary from person and can be as wide as 400 mcg-15 mg so once again easy does it. Please check with Dustin before you consider taking this because it is extremely potent and there is some guidance that you may need.

https://aap.confex.com/aap/2013/webprogram/Paper20581.html (ADHD study)

4. Magnesium Glycinate- Magnesium is a mineral which a mineral that has increasing research which is favorable towards depression, anxiety, bipolar and restless leg syndrome. There are many forms of Magnesium that are available commercially including magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, magnesium sulfate and other magnesium preparations. Some of these may be acceptable in increasing the blood magnesium levels but the best clinical evidence is for Magnesium Glycinate for Bio-availability in the blood stream when taken orally.

5. Increase your Vitamin D intake. Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder on top of Major Depression or Bipolar Depression.Vitamin D supplementation has has been shown to be helpful with mood disorders. People function much better with optimal blood levels of vitamin D between the levels of 60-90. About 70% of people in the United States are below 30 when their labs are drawn due to our geographic location. I recommend most people start with 5,000 IU daily and then have their blood level drawn after three months. The USDA recommends 1,200 IU which is the bare minimum.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/286496

6. N-A-C: N- Acetyl Cysteine. N-A-C is an amino acid that has a very interesting history. It has been found to be helpful to reduce symptoms of OCD, Skin Picking and Trichotillomania. In several small studies doses varying between 500 mg twice daily to 1200 mg twice showed to reduce compulsive skin picking and hair pulling urges in humans with almost no side effects. This was was originally discovered on accident after love birds who plucked their feathers stopped plucking their feathers when fed this this amino acid. Scientists found that this potent amino acid may have the ability to work on the NMDA-Glutamate system in the brain. It is currently in clinical trials for Bipolar, Anxiety and several other conditions at research locations across the world.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27007062

7. Melatonin- Melatonin is extremely safe. It can be use safely for children, infants, adults and geriatric patients. Here are many studies on it. There are some research hospitals that use melatonin intravenously to treat brain injuries in premature infants and have seen success. It should be the first line option for insomnia in every case in my opinion. I don't know of any interaction or reason a person cannot take it. Often when a person has tried it an it is not effective the reason it is not effective is either due to the brand or dose they tried. They may need something additional but they will often get some effect if dosed appropriately. In studies it has been shown to be safe up to 20 mg in children and 100 mg in adults.
Great study on usefulness and safety of melatonin in infants and children for various conditions. There are very few side effects from it except nightmares:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/…/PMC…/pdf/IJPED2011-892624.pdf

Higher risk of diabetes mellitus in those with lower urine melatonin levels.

http://jamanetwork.com/journa…/jama/article-abstract/1674239

Helpful in reducing headaches according to the American headache association.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/…/abstract;jsessionid=757950…

Pediatric Neurology recommendations for melatonin

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/25553845/…

Can be used to treat pediatric breath holding.

http://m.jcn.sagepub.com/content/30/8/1089.long…

Melatonin increases memory consolidation even during the day.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/…/j.1600-079X.2007.…/abstract

Treatment with melatonin reduces night terrors.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/25264873/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0060480/

8. DHEA-

DHEA is a prehormone in the body that converts to testosterone.

Oral DHEA administration when monitored by blood work can have various positive benefits in the human body. Long terms depression does have the ability to suppress DHEA levels. DHEA in some studies has been shown to decrease autoimmune responses in lupus, decrease abdominal fat, increase bone density, decrease incidence of blood clots, and decrease sexual decline with age. There are some studies that show it can improve depression. I typically recommend women start low with 2.5 mg-5 mg twice daily or 5-10 sustained release. Men can start higher at 25-50 mg twice daily or take sustained release 25-50 mg once daily. A person (man or woman) will notice very little benefit if they take it only once daily because it leaves the body within about 12-16 hours if taken with an instant release product. Another thing to know is that any person doing testosterone therapy should be on DHEA because DHEA is suppressed over time with testosterone therapy and it is important to know that DHEA converts into nearly every hormone in the body. Side effects include acne and male pattern hair loss in excess doses. Pregnant women should not take it. Neither should women who have PCOS unless told otherwise.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28038403 (depression)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25022952 (Basic Autoimmune study)

9. CBD- This is a newcomer to this list. Previously this was on the neutral section. New evidence is emerging. The drug does seem to have benefits in terms of anxiety, seizures, pain and insomnia. Unfortunately the dosing seems to be much higher than what is available over the counter. Please be aware of quality discrepancies that have been reported and ask for a manufacturer certificate because the purity standards vary greatly. Do not take CBD to be equivalent to THC containing marijuana. These are not the same. THC containing marijuana is distinctly different from CBD containing strains of cannibinoids. THC has been linked to an increase in depression, psychosis, worsening of ADHD symptoms and various other psychiatric concerns. It has been shown to be beneficial for pain, and cancer related nausea therefore it generally will not be recommended by my practice for patients with mental health diagnoses. Marijuana does have its specific uses for other conditions. This is not an anti-marijuana position. I believe in the usefullness of medical marijauna, just not for mental health.

http://district8do.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/5-MARKLEY-MEDICAL-MARIJUANA-PDF.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6161644/

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/1107444

Herbs with research for hormone Conditions

1. Saw Palmetto- Has been shown to improve Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy symptoms in men on or off of testosterone therapy.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1476047/

2. Berberine Berry- Shown to improve insulin resistance in PCOS with or without metformin. It is not as effective as metformin on its own but has been shown to fairly effective and it can enhance the effectiveness of metformin. It also has some promise in heart disease and diabetes.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6261244/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23869585

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5643735/

3. Chasteberry- May improve some symptoms of Menopause-

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3800090/

4. Maca Maca- Can be used to counter sexual induced side effects of antidepressants. Also has been shown to improve fertility in PCOS and libido in both men and women. There are a few studies that show it can be neuroprotective. My opinion is contrary to WebMD but after reading several articles I believe that at minimum this substance is safe and probably helpful for sexual function as well.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4411442/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18801111

Vitamins/Supplements that I am neutral/Hesitant to recommend for or against due to lack of strong evidence.

1. SAM- E. This can be helpful but needs to be taken at lower doses for depression. This works on the transulfuration pathway of the methylation system. It has been shown in some studies to be useful for depression but only minimally and can have side effects such as muscle cramps and irritability. I don't like recommending it due to interactions and side effects.

2. L-Theanine- for anxiety. I have had patients tell me this works for them but there is limited research to support it. It seems safe according to the research available.

3. GABA as needed for anxiety. Many patients report this can be helpful but the research is very lacking in terms of effectiveness. GABA is the neurotransmitter that is in the brain responsible for decreasing anxiety. This should not be able to cross the blood brain barrier per research. Nevertheless patients often tell me that it works for them. I hesitate to recommend anything that doesn't have research but it is worth mentioning because it has been studied at very high doses (up to 500 times a typical dose) in Europe without major side effects other that tingling in the skin and diarrhea. It has been used by body builders to increase growth hormone levels since it is theorized to increase the GH levels.

4-htp Has shown to be useful in helping with very mild-depression. It is often touted as a sleep aid. It has not been shown in clinical trials to be helpful with insomnia. It does appear to be safe to take, especially in doses of 50-100 mg.

5. Ginko Biloba- I am not overly impressed with the data on ginko for memory, ADHD or anxiety although it seems harmless enough. In some small studies it may increase the risk of stroke although that data seems to be debated as well. For now I wont recommend it. Take it if you want.

https://www.poison.org/articles/ginkgo-biloba-risks-benefits-181

Herbs for fatigue:

1. Ashwaghanda has some research for Fatigue if taken intermittently during times of sleep loss.

2. Rodiola can also be taken as well so long as a person does not have a diagnosis of a mood disorder as several studies have shown that this can worsen mood disorders. It can help with fatigue in some individuals.

Vitamins and minerals that I specifically recommend against unless needed:

1. A multivitamin- Several studies have shown that a multivitamin can be neutral or harmful to a person. Many of the vitamins compete and actually some multivitamins in observational studies may be associated with premature death.

2. Calcium- Unless a person has a reason to be on it- studies show that it increases bowel cancer risk. Don't take it unless you have osteoporosis and are told to by an orthopedic doctor.

3. St. Johns Wort. This is a structurally similar to very old antidepressants MAOI and should not be considered not safe to take with any medicine. It interacts with many medications. It is minimally effective for depression with higher side effects. Avoid it.

4. Kava Kava- This can cause liver damage although it can help with anxiety according to some people. No large studies have been performed to my knowledge that show it is helpful.

5. Milk-Thistle- This is often touted as a liver cleansing agent but in many studies has been shown to worsen liver damage. Avoid it.

6. B- Complex, Iron, Zinc and others. A B complex has several competing b-vitamins that decrease the ability for other vitamins to work properly for example. Niacin is a methylation acceptor (basically sucks up other vitamins like folate and b-12 like a sponge) while folic acid or b-12, and b6 are methylation donor. In a recent study done by the Journal of American Cardiology and Published 5/18/18 showed Niacin increased the risk of “all-cause mortality” as did b6 (They studied pyroxidine hydrochloride not p-5-phosphate which seems safe or helpful in many studies), a multivitamin, beta-carotene. Vitamins A, B6, and E, multivitamins well as zinc, iron which all had no significant effect on cardiac outcomes and all-cause mortality. That is not to say there aren't times when these are needed, just that a person should not be taking vitamins for no good reason. Iron should not be taken unless needed as this can cause liver damaged. Zinc has not been shown to improve immunity.