Cognitive Function, Mood, and Sleep

Cognitive function is defined as the intellectual process by which one becomes aware of, perceives, or comprehends ideas. It involves all aspects of perception, thinking, reasoning, and remembering. It is safe to say that when one’s brain is healthy, many, if not all, aspects of life become easier and more enjoyable. The brain is an organ belonging to an organ system, the neurological system. Like all other organs and organ systems in our body, its health and quality of aging is dependent on the balance of a great number of healthy vs unhealthy factors. PPH carefully follows the work of Dr. Dale Bredesen, a professor at The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, and Dr. Daniel Amen’s work. PPH follows the MEND protocol (trademarked to Muse Labs), a 25-point biological marker program for healthy cognitive function. It is worth noting that, because the brain is a highly metabolic organ, attention to brain health (often associated with aging) is something to prioritize prior to symptom onset, or at early onset of symptoms. PPH has the ability to test for the Alzheimer’s gene which statistically will increase risk but does not guarantee illness. Individuals with a positive gene test, both heterozygous and homozygous, will need to be more vigilant with their brain health to mitigate their genetic predisposition.

PPH feels attention to mood is not prioritized enough in wellness, and if left unattended can lead to the frequently prescribed medications for “mood disorders,” all of which have their side effects. Many people have no idea that mood – or your emotional state – is influenced by a number of external and internal factors. The good news is we have more control over both of these groups than you may think. Mindfulness, meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy, yoga, hypnosis, and exercise prescribed correctly can significantly impact both external factors (stress) and internal biochemistry that helps with mood and outlook. Biochemically, neurotransmitters play a big role in mood. Neurotransmitters are signaling substances that allow communication between brain cells. They also affect every cell tissue and organ outside the brain. Inadequate neurotransmitter production can result for dietary inadequacy and/or GI disturbances. Did you know that 75% of neurotransmitters are produced in your gut?! It’s no wonder they call the enteric nervous system “the second brain.” Ever have a gut feeling? Mapping the human genome has also given us more insight to neurotransmitter production and metabolism. We have learned that each of us is genetically unique when it comes to the production and removal of neurotransmitters. Often people need help to recover balance between their excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. PPH offers nutritional testing to assess the adequacy of neurotransmitter building blocks, genetic tests for neurotransmitter production and timely elimination, as well as gut treatment and lifestyle changes that affect neurotransmitter/mood health.

Sleep and adequate nutrition are so key to foundational health that just optimizing each can yield tremendous benefits. Here is what 7-9 hours of restful sleep will promote:

  1. Lower inflammation
  2. Improved immunity
  3. Improved memory and brain health, clearer thinking, improved mood and focus
  4. Lower diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk
  5. Improved detoxification through GI rest and liver and kidney detox upregulation
  6. Weight management assistance by resetting your natural metabolism, fewer cravings
  7. Improved pain thresholds
  8. Increased tissue repair – muscles, collagen/skin, and many other tissues

Sleep is an invaluable and necessary part of health that reboots and repairs damage and imbalance created in our waking hours. If you want longevity and quality of life, get your sleep! PPH works with individuals to identify a multitude of both external and internal factors that are roadblocks to restorative sleep. This is often one of the first areas we may focus on in the practice.