3 Cleansing Approaches I Use for Better Cognitive Function and Mental Health
How to prevent and lower external and internal toxins naturally for detoxifying the brain chemistry
External and internal toxins and pathogens are the biggest enemies of cognitive decline and impairment, affecting the brain and causing neurological and mental health issues. However, we have natural tools to combat these antagonists.
One of the most effective ways is to prevent and lower these offenders with healthy lifestyle choices I cover in this story based on my experiences, observations, and reviews.
Detox practices for cognitive function and mental health involve lifestyle choices and habits that support the body’s natural healing processes in eliminating toxins, preventing cognitive decline, and promoting overall well-being.
Anything cleaning cells and mitochondria in the body can also contribute to cognitive function and mental health. Despite the presence of a sensitive brain-blood barrier, certain toxins can breach this barrier and lead to intoxication of the brain.
Therefore, detoxing the body and the brain chemistry (a critical organ) for cognition and mental health is a holistic and preventive approach.
As there are many tools and practices, I cover them under three main headings to make this a practical and helpful piece. As I have written numerous stories about these tools and practices, I will link them for those interested in details so I won’t repeat them to keep this post concise as a reference article.
1 — Lowering toxic load with fundamental needs of the body
In this section, I emphasize the significance of fundamental factors in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I’ve found that adhering to fundamental needs has been a game-changer in improving my physical and mental health.
Crafting the intricate equilibrium of proper nutrition, quality sleep, regular movement, and hydration has been more than checking off boxes; it’s been a nuanced orchestration in tune with my well-being.
Hydration is fundamental for bodily functions, helping flush toxins through urine and sweat. Dehydration can negatively impact cognitive function. Limiting exposure to environmental toxins, such as opting for organic produce and minimizing contact with pollutants, is essential to reduce the body’s toxic burden.
Proper nutrition is crucial by providing essential nutrients that support metabolic processes, including detoxification. For example, antioxidant-rich foods can neutralize free radicals and lower inflammation.
Quality sleep facilitates the body’s repair and detoxification processes. It ensures the optimal functioning of detoxification pathways.
Physical activity contributes by promoting circulation and supporting the lymphatic system, which aids in toxin elimination. From my experience, the best way to detox my body was using a trampoline, as I discussed in a story titled Here’s Why Trampoline Is Not Just Another Fitness Tool.
These fundamentals improve overall well-being, cognitive function, and long-term health. Neglecting them may strain the body’s detox systems, potentially leading to health issues.
Now, I don’t claim to have mastered these fundamentals effortlessly. Each step was a learning curve, a journey of understanding my body’s unique needs with observations and many trials and errors. Yet, in this journey, I discovered that addressing these basics was critical for prevention. They are part of our self-care, which I see as a gift to our well-being.
2 — Detoxing the body with natural stimulation
In this advanced segment, I introduce targeted cellular and brain detoxification practices. These methods, which include fasting for autophagy and mitophagy, thermogenesis through exposure to cold and hot conditions, mindfulness practices, and brain stimulation, offer specific benefits for cellular health, stress reduction (balancing cortisol), and cognitive function.
Drawing from my personal experiences, I highlight long-term fasting as an effective detox solution. This practice supports the body’s cleanup and recycling of cellular components, promoting autophagy and mitophagy. These processes enhance cellular health and resilience, factors that have personally contributed to my overall well-being.
Thermogenesis induced by exposure to cold and heat is another intervention I use daily. This beneficial stress response enhances the body’s adaptive capacity, activating the lymphatic system and promoting the expression of longevity genes. I explored cold showers, ice baths, and dry saunas as methods to stimulate thermogenesis.
In addition, I enjoy sensory deprivation therapy and the detoxing abilities of natural therapies like hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, pelotherapy, thalassotherapy, geotherapy, and Kneipp therapy, as I introduced in a previous story.
Mindfulness practices can indirectly benefit mental detox, reducing stress and promoting hormonal balance. From personal encounters, I emphasize how meditation and mindfulness improve hormonal and neurotransmitter balance, ultimately reducing excessive stress and chronic inflammation and supporting mental well-being.
Brain stimulation is helpful for cognitive function and the elimination of damaged neural elements. Reflecting on my experiences, I engaged in mentally challenging activities, such as learning new skills and other cognitive workouts to stimulate the brain and mind and support the health of neurons, other brain cells, and neural connections.
These advanced practices offer targeted approaches to cellular and brain detoxification, and incorporating them into our routine can contribute to cognitive function, brain health, and overall well-being.
3 — Leveraging well-researched molecules and supplements
In this section, I cover valuable molecules, nutrients, and supplements to lower toxic load in our cells, mitochondria, tissues, organs, bloodstream, and systems.
I used NAC to boost glutathione, activated charcoal for clearing heavy metals, citrulline malate, which can lower ammonia, biotin, which can lower protein toxication, and MSM, which can clean the liver. Of course, there are many more, but I only summarize what I have used for detox purposes.
These molecules in supplement forms might lower toxic load across various cellular and physiological levels. They may offer targeted support for detoxification processes in the body, particularly in the brain and gut.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) boosts glutathione, a potent antioxidant that supports cellular detoxification and protects against oxidative stress, lowering inflammation. I also found alpha-lipoec acid a potent anti-oxidant with no side effects for me.
Activated charcoal has adsorbent properties, helping to bind and remove heavy metals and toxins from the digestive system which can strengthen the brain-gut axis and calm the HBA axis to lower stress.
Citrulline malate is an important in the urea cycle, helping the body to eliminate harmful substances like metabolic byproducts, particularly ammonia. It can also increase nitric oxide preventing plague build in arteries.
Biotin (Vitamin H) can lower protein toxication which is a critical problem for the brain, supporting cellular health. Those who consume excessive proteins might face biotin deficiency, so supplementing can be helpful with support from qualified professionals. Its supplementation is considered safe and I personally had no side effects for its use for many years.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is explored for its liver-cleansing properties, aiding in detoxifying this vital organ. When the liver is cleaned other organs like the brain also get less toxicity.
There are many more helpful molecules other people use. For example, I don’t use herbs, but there is some evidence that some of them can lower toxic load in the digestive system and the brain. Some frequently mentioned ones are turmeric, green tea, flavonoids, and many more.
You may check the valuable nutrients I reviewed in this list.
Conclusions
This three-pronged approach helped me recover from brain fog in my earlier years, defeat mild cognitive decline and depression, and gave me a sharp mind in my older years.
As we are all unique, what works for me might NOT work for others, but customizing the principles behind these ideas with professional support can be helpful for everyone.
Essentially, foundational elements like adequate hydration, a well-rounded nutrition plan based on whole foods, restorative sleep, regular exercise, rest periods, recovery, and enjoyable opportunities are universally crucial. Yet, the quantity and specific requirements of these fundamentals may differ from one person to another.
Recognizing that fasting and exposure to varying temperatures might not suit everyone, I believe some form of caloric control through time-restricted eating, coupled with mild temperature variations, can offer advantages to many people, like building cognitive reserves — barring any underlying health conditions that demand specific attention and treatment.
Supplements require support from qualified healthcare professionals who have access to the patient’s health history, as they might interfere with some medical conditions and prescribed medications.
If you find this story helpful, you may also enjoy this case study about the natural detox of the body in a short story.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
To inform my new readers, I wrote numerous articles that might inform and inspire you. Some topics I cover are brain and cognitive function, significant health conditions, valuable nutrients, ketogenic lifestyle, self-healing, weight management, writing/reading, and humor.
I publish my health and wellness stories on EUPHORIA. My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experiences, and perspectives to provide information and create awareness.
To get my post in your inbox, you may subscribe to my content. If you are a writer, you are welcome to join my publications by sending a request via this link. I support 25K+ writers who contribute to my publications on this platform.
