Benefits of Passionflower for Anxiety

Benefits of Passionflower: How to Calm Anxiety

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Adrenal, Anxiety, Depression, Mood, Balancing Your Hormones, Brain Health, Wellbeing Leave a Comment

Passionflower is an herb that has been used for centuries to support a calm state in the nervous system. It is well tolerated by most and has a low side effect profile, making it an ideal gentle herb to create a sense of peace in the body.    Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is an herbal medicine used to support a healthy emotional …

Increase Oxytocin Naturally

How to Increase Oxytocin Naturally

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Anxiety, Depression, Mood, Brain Health, Mood & Emotions Leave a Comment

The feeling of love and relaxation you experience when cuddling with your kids or having sex results from releasing oxytocin.  The hormone oxytocin is the “love hormone” that promotes trust, connection, attachment, and relaxation. It plays a critical role in social behavior and female reproduction. In fact, women have more oxytocin than men.  Oxytocin has many health benefits, and most …

Brain Health and Hormone Balance

Connection Between Brain Health and Hormone Balance

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Brain Health, Mood & Emotions Leave a Comment

The brain produces hormones and responds to hormones in the blood. When there is a hormone imbalance, it affects the brain. And, conversely, when brain health is compromised, it affects hormone levels. A healthy brain and hormone balance go hand in hand. We might only think about brain health when we get older and experience changes in memory or cognition. …

High Cortisol Levels and Cognitive Function

The Connection Between High Cortisol Levels and Cognitive Function

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Brain Health, Mood & Emotions, Stress Reduction Leave a Comment

Cortisol, the primary stress hormone released when your body perceives a threat, is essential for survival. In small doses, cortisol has beneficial effects, like waking you up in the morning, supporting energy, and helping the body deal with stress. The problem is that high cortisol levels over a prolonged period can lead to adverse health consequences, both physically and mentally. …

Brain Fog and Hormone Imbalance

Connection Between Brain Fog and Hormone Imbalance

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Brain Health Leave a Comment

Are you living in a fog? Does your brain feel tired, and even everyday tasks are challenging because your brain isn’t cooperating with focus, thinking, and memory?  Brain fog is a common (but not to be considered normal) symptom for women, especially during hormonal change or imbalance, as hormones play a vital role in brain health and function. While a …

Do Hormones Affect Brain Health?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Brain Health Leave a Comment

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about hormones? If you’re like most people, it’s probably your period or reproduction. But did you know that hormones have a significant impact on your brain? Sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are involved with brain development even before birth and play a role in memory, mood, and …

gratitude for hormone health

What Are the Benefits of Gratitude for Your Hormones and Health?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Brain Health Leave a Comment

Did you know that there is immense power in gratitude and being kind to ourselves? Yep, it’s true! There are numerous health benefits that come from being thankful and treating ourselves with compassion and respect. Mindset is everything. It’s the secret sauce that helps people heal. I know many of you will be rolling your eyes at this point; skeptics …

increase serotonin naturally

How To Increase Serotonin Levels

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Anxiety, Depression, Mood, Brain Health, Exercise, Libido, Sleep, Stress Reduction Leave a Comment

Serotonin is a key hormone in promoting feelings of happiness and well-being. It plays a role in regulating your digestion, sleep, bones, inflammation, libido, and memory. If you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or insomnia, you may want to ask your doctor about a possible serotonin deficiency. You can support your body’s natural happiness hormone by understanding how serotonin …

serotonin deficiency symptoms

Serotonin Deficiency – What’s The Risk?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Brain Health, Hormonal Birth Control Leave a Comment

Serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) is one of the most talked-about neurotransmitters– molecules that help your nervous system communicate. You may know it as “the happy molecule” because of its role in regulating happiness, anxiety, and mood. The best-known indicators of low serotonin include depression and anxiety, but it plays a larger role in the body as well. …