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anxiety summit 6

Cold showers to activate your vagus nerve and calm parasympathetic system (+ 26 other anxiety-busting tips)

By Trudy Scott 4 Comments

cold showers

I’ve been sharing about  early registration for my next summit… Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections!  (I’m the host of this one!)

I’ll continue to share interview snippets leading up to the summit but I want to make sure you know about another one of the summit registrations gifts: 27 Anxiety-Busting Strategies eGuide

anxiety busting strtegies

Here is one of the 27 anxiety-busting tips …#3 Take a cold shower!

cold shower

Taking a cold shower or turning the hot water off after your shower and getting under the cold water for a minute or two activates the calming parasympathetic system because it has an impact on the vagus nerve.

I always do the 2 minute cold shower after my regular shower – in summer and winter – and I highly recommend it! You’d think it would be a no-no in the middle of winter but even though there is the initial shock, you feel so good afterwards. It’s such a simple intervention! Try it and let me know how you feel!

We cover this and many other ways to activate the vagus nerve in the interview with Dr. Eva Detko – Vagus Nerve Infection and Anxiety.  It’s an in-depth interview and we cover:

  • VanElzakker’s CFS/vagus nerve infection research
  • the vagus nerve role in brain-gut axis
  • lactobacillus and GABA
  • the vagus nerve and globus pharyngeus (lump in the throat when anxious)
  • how antidepressants may adversely impact the vagus nerve
  • psychosensory havening and more

Another related interview is the one with Melissa Gallico – Fluoride: Neurotoxicity, Anxiety, Acne and Hypothyroidism.  We talk about concerns about fluoride in your shower water. You’ll also learn about other surprising sources of fluoride such as black tea, kombucha and wine!

Some questions for you:

  • Have you used this approach with success and how do you feel afterwards?
  • Do you continue through winter or would you consider this?
  • Have you used variations of this, such as swimming in the ocean or pool in cool or cold weather?
  • What other vagus nerve activation approaches do you use?

Here’s to no more anxiety and you feeling on top of the world again! And getting value out of other 26 tips starting today.

You’ve heard me say the Anxiety Summit has been called “a bouquet of hope!”  My wish for you is that this summit is your bouquet of hope!

I hope you’ll join me and these incredible speakers, be enlightened and find YOUR solutions!

When you download the eGuide you’ll get automatic access to the summit.

Get the 27 Anxiety-Busting Strategies eGuide

And do stay tuned for the summit roadmap – it’s almost ready and will be a great cross-reference of root-causes/triggers, solutions and conditions.

GABA alleviates anxiety caused by phthalates (found in plastics & fragrances)

By Trudy Scott Leave a Comment

Are you aware that GABA alleviates anxiety caused by phthalates, found in plastics and fragrances? I share more about this in one of the registration gifts for the Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections: Top 10 Surprising Nutrients for Toxin Support and Anxiety Relief eGuide

GABA, the calming amino acid is one of my favorite amino acids, personally and with my anxious clients.

ANXIETY: GABA supplementation eases physical anxiety and tension

Low levels of GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid), an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the body and brain, is well documented in anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety, panic and post-traumatic stress disorder/PTSD.

GABA is also an amino acid that is calming when used as a supplement. It eases anxiety, physical tension and worry, and induces relaxation. In one study it was reported to work effectively within 1 hour, also allowing better focus and concentration. It also enhanced immunity under stressful conditions such as when crossing a suspension bridge. A significant increase in salivary IgA (immunoglobulin A) was observed 90 minutes after GABA intake.

Clinically, I have found GABA to be most effective for easing anxiety when used sublingually (you’ve heard me say this many times).

TOXIN: GABA supplementation alleviates phthalate-induced anxiety

What may be surprising, is the role toxins such phthalates play in anxiety and how GABA may actually offer some protection.  Phthalates are chemicals that make plastics soft and are also found in personal care products as fragrances.

Recent research shows that high levels of urinary phthalates have been found to be associated with an increase in anxiety, depression and stress in Chinese university students.

In a recent animal study, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate/DEHP, one of the most widely used phthalate esters, was shown to cause anxiety. The study concludes that the anxiety effects caused by phthalates could be alleviated by GABA supplementation.

As you may know I use GABA all the time with my anxious clients and having dug into the research for this summit, I am fascinated by how protective it is against toxins too. You’ll learn about this and how GABA also supports immunity in many of the summit interviews. 

====> Get The Top 10 Surprising Nutrients for Toxin Support and Anxiety Relief eGuide (it includes all the references and a mini cross-reference to certain summit interviews)

Some questions for you?

  • Do you have any guesses as to what the other 9 nutrients/herbs are? (no peeking until you have your list!)
  • What are your favorites for both anxiety and protection against toxins?
  • Any guesses what the herb is on the cover? And are you aware it helps with detox AND also anxiety? (I’ll share more about this one in another email)

You’ve heard me say the Anxiety Summit has been called “a bouquet of hope!”  My wish for you is that this summit is your bouquet of hope!

I hope you’ll join me and these incredible speakers, be enlightened and find YOUR solutions! When you download the eGuide you’ll get automatic access to the summit. 

Get The Top 10 Surprising Nutrients eGuide

 

Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins, Medications and Infections – Products

By Trudy Scott 2 Comments

This blog is your go-to for the nutrients and products discussed on The Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections,  Nov 2-8, 2020 and mentioned in the summit eBooks. 

Top 10 Surprising Nutrients for Toxin Support and Anxiety Relief

These are the nutrients listed in the ebook: Top 10 Surprising Nutrients for Toxin Support and Anxiety Relief  [click here to download the PDF copy and read the research] 

#1 GABA supplementation eases physical anxiety and tension, and alleviates phthalate-induced anxiety

Learn more about GABA for easing anxiety and protection against other toxins in these interviews on The Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections  

  • GABA and Tryptophan: Anxiety-Toxin Connections – Trudy Scott
  • Vagus Nerve Infection and Anxiety – Eva Detko
  • SSRIs, Benzodiazepines, Alcohol and Amino Acids – Hyla Cass
  • Fluoride: Neurotoxicity, Anxiety, Acne and Hypothyroidism – Melissa Gallico
  • GABA and Serotonin: Anxiety, PMS, Meds and Infections – Trudy Scott

#2 Tryptophan eases mental anxiety, worry and ruminations, and alleviates lead-induced anxiety/aggression

(Note: Both tryptophan and 5-HTP can be used to support low serotonin levels. Some folks do better with tryptophan and some do better with 5-HTP)

Learn more about tryptophan (and 5-HTP) for easing anxiety and offering protection against lead and other toxins in these interviews on The Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections  

  • GABA and Tryptophan: Anxiety-Toxin Connections – Trudy Scott
  • SSRIs, Benzodiazepines, Alcohol and Amino Acids – Hyla Cass
  • 5-HTP: Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia and Liver Protection – Michael Murray
  • GABA and Serotonin: Anxiety, PMS, Meds and Infections – Trudy Scott

#3 Probiotics (psychobiotics) improve mood, reduce anxiety and improve cognition. And a spore-based probiotic reverses the liver-toxic effects of acetaminophen.

Learn more about probiotics for easing anxiety and offering protection against acetaminophen (and other adverse effects of acetaminophen) in these interviews on The Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections  

  • 5-HTP: Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia and Liver Protection – Michael Murray
  • Acetaminophen, Spore-based Probiotics and the Liver – Kiran Krishan
  • Drainage in Anxiety and Autism – Luminara Serdar
  • GABA and Serotonin: Anxiety, PMS, Meds and Infections – Trudy Scott
  • Vagus Nerve Infection and Anxiety – Eva Detko

#4 NAC is a precursor of glutathione and promotes detoxification. And NAC also reduces compulsive hair pulling/trichotillomania.

Learn more about NAC for detoxification, helping with compulsions and easing anxiety in these interviews on The Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections  

  • Your Brain on Food: Anxiety, OCD and PTSD – Uma Naidoo
  • GABA and Serotonin: Anxiety, PMS, Meds and Infections – Trudy Scott
  • Loss of Chemical Tolerance and Glutathione Recycling – Datis Kharrazian
  • Liver Function and Bile: Anxiety, Detox, the Gut and Hormones – Ameet Aggarwal

#5 Melatonin improves sleep and reduces anxiety after traumatic brain injury. Melatonin also removes toxic proteins via the brain glymphatic system

Learn more about melatonin for sleep, anxiety and the glymphatic system in these interviews on The Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections  

  • The Glymphatic System for Brain Detox – Christine Schaffner 
  • GABA and Serotonin: Anxiety, PMS, Meds and Infections – Trudy Scott
  • Fluoride: Neurotoxicity, Anxiety, Acne and Hypothyroidism – Melissa Gallico
  • Red Light Therapy: Anxiety, Toxins and Benzodiazepines – Ari Whitten

#6 Triphala improves gut health and reduces noise-induced stress (and sometimes misophonia). Triphala may also help prevent and reverse radiation-induced DNA and intestinal damage.

Learn more about triphala for anxiety, gut health and misophonia in these interviews on The Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections  

  • Liver Function and Bile: Anxiety, Detox, the Gut and Hormones – Ameet Aggarwal
  • PANDAS/PANS: The Brain on Fire – Elisa Song
  • Body Burden: Environmental Toxins, Tattoos and Wheat – Tom O’Bryan (noise pollution) 
  • GABA and Serotonin: Anxiety, PMS, Meds and Infections – Trudy Scott

#7 TUDCA improves LPS-induced cognitive impairment and neurotoxicity. TUDCA also eases depression caused by chronic unpredictable stress. 

Learn more about TUDCA and taurine for depression/anxiety and bile production in these interviews on The Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections  

  • Impact of Toxins on Lyme Disease and Infections – Jay Davidson (TUDCA) 
  • SSRIs, Benzodiazepines, Alcohol and Amino Acids – Hyla Cass (taurine)
  • GABA and Tryptophan: Anxiety-Toxin Connections – Trudy Scott (taurine)
  • Liver Function and Bile: Anxiety, Detox, the Gut and Hormones – Ameet Aggarwal (taurine)

#8 Rosemary shows benefits for stress, anxiety, depression and pain. It’s also protective when it comes to electromagnetic fields (EMFs).

Learn more about rosemary and EMFs in these interviews on The Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections  

  • EMFs: Anxiety, Insomnia, ADHD and Headaches – Lloyd Burrell
  • Lyme: a Herbal Approach for Pain, Anxiety and Brain Fog – Darin Ingels
  • GABA and Tryptophan: Anxiety-Toxin Connections – Trudy Scott 
  • The Glymphatic System for Brain Detox – Christine Schaffner
  • Mold Toxicity: Anxiety, Depression, Panic and Psychosis – Margaret Christensen

#9 Oral lavender (as Silexan) is as effective for anxiety as the benzodiazepine lorazepam.  And lavender essential oil reduces LPS-induced inflammation via HSP70.

Learn more about lavender, benzodiazepines and LPS in these interviews on The Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections  

  • Psychiatric Medications in Children and Teens – Nicole Beurkens
  • SSRIs, Benzodiazepines, Alcohol and Amino Acids – Hyla Cass
  • Body Burden: Environmental Toxins, Tattoos and Wheat – Tom O’Bryan (NF-κB and Toll-like receptor 4)
  • Disconnection Syndrome, Immunity and Awe – David Perlmutter
  • GABA and Tryptophan: Anxiety-Toxin Connections – Trudy Scott 
  • Benzodiazepines: Short-Term Benefits, Long-Term Harms – Catherine Pittman

#10 Milk thistle is liver-protective and enhances glutathione production. It is also beneficial as an antidepressant for OCD.

Learn more about milk thistle, glutathione, the liver, alcohol and acetaminophen in these interviews on The Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections  

  • SSRIs, Benzodiazepines, Alcohol and Amino Acids – Hyla Cass 
  • GABA and Tryptophan: Anxiety-Toxin Connections – Trudy Scott 
  • Liver Function and Bile: Anxiety, Detox, the Gut and Hormones – Ameet Aggarwal 
  • Acetaminophen, Spore-based Probiotics and the Liver – Kiran Krishan
  • Loss of Chemical Tolerance and Glutathione Recycling – Datis Kharrazian

Stay tuned for additional information, products and resources all the summit interviews.

Let us know which are your favorites or which similar products you have used with success – and how they have helped you.

Feel free to also post your questions in the comments below.