How to detox for better brain and mental health?

Can detoxifying help your mental state?

How to detox for better brain and mental health?
Written by Our: Morning Runner
Medical Fact Checked by: Dr. Bryan Havoc
Last updated:

When you think of supporting your body’s ability to detoxify itself, you normally think of the digestive, endocrine, and renal systems. However, did you know that doing a detox can also have an effect on your mental health?


Where Do The Toxins Come From?

Before we explain where the toxins come from that affect our brain and mental health, we need to take a look at where the toxins come from. The toxins come from the water, food, drugs, air, and even the products we use to cleanse our skin.

For example, those who live in more industrialized areas are exposed to toxic chemicals in the air. The toxins can ravage not only the lungs but the rest of your body as well. Other toxic chemicals that are found in the air are pesticides, cleaning products, pollen, dander, mold, building material, sulfur, and other pollutants.

Another source of toxic exposure is surprisingly found in water.

There are a number of different toxins found in every type of water from lake water to drinking water. Lead alone has been found to cause issues in the brain from brain damage to various neurological disorders.


How Do Toxins Affect Our Brain?

As you can see, toxins can have a serious effect on our brains. We’re suffering exposure to toxins in everything from motor fuel to paint thinners. These toxins can seep directly into our brains. They can also get into our bloodstream through our lungs and our skin. Let’s take a look at some of the neurological issues that toxins can cause.


Anxiety

Everyone suffers anxiety to some degree. Some suffer full-blown anxiety disorders and others might only suffer anxiety during certain situations. However, when our brains are exposed to toxins it could cause persistent anxiety that could be detrimental to our health. Symptoms of anxiety are heart palpitations, gastrointestinal issues, and hyperventilation.

If anxiety is not taken care of it could lead to a more serious anxiety disorder such as agoraphobia or a panic disorder.

Too much exposure to toxic substances can also lead to what is known as a substance-induced anxiety disorder.


Brain Fog

If you’re having trouble concentrating, focusing, or even thinking clearly, then you might be suffering toxic-induced brain fog. Brain fog is indicative of various diseases as well, so it might be hard to pinpoint brain fog on just having exposed to too many toxins.

You may need to speak to a doctor or specialist to determine if you have any underlying conditions that could cause brain fog as brain fog can also be caused by a lack of sleep or depression. However, toxins can also be behind those symptoms of well. If you discover that you don’t have any underlying medical conditions, then it might be time to look into detox for your brain.


ADHD

ADHD is very prevalent in today’s society. One of the main causes could be the mother’s exposure to toxins during pregnancy or the child’s exposure to various toxins as their brain is at its most vulnerable young stages.

ADHD can cause attention or other restless and hyperactivity issues. Those who suffer from ADHD are often impulsive, forgetful, and might suffer other mental issues such as anxiety. While ADHD is treatable with medications, the medications could contribute to more toxins in the body, which makes it a vicious cycle.


How Do You Detox For Your Brain?

Not many know that the brain has its own detoxification process just like the rest of your body. However, it could use our support with an additional detox routine that can help shed itself of toxins that cause disorders.


Sleep

This might be the most obvious choice, but not getting enough sleep can keep your brain from functioning optimally. Sleep is the time your cells have to rest and refresh themselves. If your cells are always running, then they’re not going to shake the waste off as well as they should.

A study shows that sleep also helps flush out the toxins when you’re waking up from a good night’s rest. Sleep is also a great natural way to detox the rest of your body as well, so try to put your phone away at least an hour before you’re planned bedtime.


Detoxify Your Gut

Many don’t know that there is a connection between your gut and your brain. When toxins are clogging up your liver and the digestive system it could negatively affect your brain’s functions.

Following a healthy detox routine for your gut will also have benefits for your brain as well.

You could potentially reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression simply by cleansing out your digestive system and promoting healthy bacteria in your gut.


Taking Natural Supplements

When you’ve tried everything and could still use a little boost then you might want to look into taking natural supplements to add an additional boost to your detox routine.

You’ll find if you take the right natural detox supplements the basic symptoms of a toxic brain will eventually clear right up.

Having some clarity from brain fog for the first time might be just enough reason to look at doing a detox regimen for your brain. Not only will you have brain-boosting benefits, but you’ll find yourself with gut health benefits as well.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.