Is it "all in your head"?

berkhoute
Sep 23
5 min read

Your Brain Can Heal — And Science Is Showing Us How

We all know how damaging it can be if you are told your depression, anxiety, or mood swings are “just in your head”. We also know how discouraging it can be when nothing seems to work or we get a diagnosis that makes it sound like we will be struggling with this for all our lives. Well, maybe its time to look at it all from a different angle: it may actually be in your physical brain.

Much research has been done the past few decades on the brain. Through the amazing technology of brain scanning or SPECT-CT we have been able to track and trace healthy brains and brains that are not lighting up in the way they should. It shows us that many mental health struggles are not only emotional problems. They most often have physical roots in the brain itself.

These mental health struggles include a long list from depression, ADHD all the way to dementia and Alzheimers. We go from healthy brain to dysfunctional brain for a variety of reasons, some we might never have thought possible. I know that I fell on my head quite a few times as a child and never considered the effects on the brain (if you have a child with severe behavioural problems or mental illness it mighht be worth having a look at the brain). Considering the brain is soft like butter and housed in a very hard skull this might not be as innocent as we think it is.

Concussions, toxins, stress, infections, or even poor sleep can effect brain function. When the brain is disrupted, it shows up as symptoms in our mood, memory, and behaviour.

BUT here’s the hopeful part: just as the brain can be hurt, it can also heal.

(At the end of this article there is a list of mental disturbances and illnesses that has its main cause in brain function. You might want to check it out if you or someone you know might be struggling)

Why the Brain Is So Sensitive

Your brain is the most complex organ in your body — but also one of the most delicate. It can easily be thrown off balance by:

Concussions and head trauma – even mild hits can change brain wiring. Maybe you have been feeling low after a fall or a crash or a sports injury. Maybe even since childhood?
Toxins – mold, alcohol, drugs, heavy metals, and certain medications stress brain function. Most of these have never even been considered to alter brain function.
Chronic stress and poor sleep – slowly wear down brain networks.
Inflammation and infections – interfere with how brain cells communicate.

When the brain struggles, life feels harder. You may feel sad, anxious, foggy, forgetful, or overwhelmed.

What the Research Shows

A growing community of researchers is confirming the link between brain health and mental health:

Dr. Daniel Allen (University of Nevada, Las Vegas): Found that concussions can trigger networks of symptoms — mood swings, memory problems, fatigue — that mirror psychiatric illness.
Dr. Daniel Amen has popularized the use of brain imaging (SPECT scans) to show how concussions, toxins, and other insults change brain activity — and how targeted treatment can help restore it.
Dr. Michael Lipton (Albert Einstein College of Medicine): Showed that even subtle, repeated head impacts in athletes can rewire the brain and affect emotions.
Dr. Jeffrey Bazarian (University of Rochester): Demonstrated how mild brain injuries increase risk for depression and anxiety over time.
Dr. Margaret Naeser (Boston University): A pioneer in light therapy for the brain, helping people with depression, PTSD, and head injury.
Dr. Lew Lim (Vielight): Studying how gentle near-infrared light energizes neurons and supports memory and mood.
Dr. Richard Davidson (University of Wisconsin): Leading research on how meditation and neurofeedback reshape brain networks for resilience and calm.
Dr. Norman Doidge: Popularized the concept of neuroplasticity — the brain’s natural ability to rewire and heal itself.

Together, their work tells us: mental illness is not a fixed identity — it’s often a sign the brain needs care.

New Tools for Brain Health at Home

Today, there are more ways than ever to support your brain’s healing, even from home:

Sense.ai – Tracks brainwaves and helps train calmer, more balanced patterns.
Vielight – Uses gentle red and near-infrared light to boost brain cell energy and improve clarity, mood, and memory.
At-home neurofeedback systems – Guide your brain out of stuck rhythms and into healthier patterns.
HeartMath devices – Sync your breathing and heart rhythms with your brain for stress relief.
Wearable stimulation headbands – Use safe, low-level electrical or magnetic stimulation to gently shift brain activity.

Everyday Practices That Make a Difference

High-tech tools are wonderful, but your daily habits are just as powerful. Research shows the following practices help the brain heal and thrive:

Nutrition – Eat a brain-friendly diet rich in fats, omega-3 fats (from fish, meat and flax). Reduce processed foods especially seed oils, carbohydrates, and alcohol.
Movement – Regular exercise and deep breathing increases blood flow to the brain, supports mood, and boosts neuroplasticity. Even walking counts.
Sleep – Deep sleep is when your brain repairs itself. Aim for 7–9 hours, and address sleep apnea or insomnia if they’re present.
Detox and clean air – Reduce exposure to mould, smoke, heavy metals, and chemicals whenever possible. Fresh air and hydration help the brain detox. Also verify allopathic drugs are not the cause for brain function loss and rather go for Homeopathy or Vibrational Medicine.
Meditation and mindfulness – As Dr. Richard Davidson’s research shows, regular meditation reshapes brain networks, calming overactive stress circuits and building resilience. Even 10 minutes a day can make a difference. Join our Meditation classes on Monday and Thursday morning, click here to book!
Connection and kindness – Relationships and positive social interactions literally light up brain pathways that support emotional balance.

You are not broken…

If you’ve been struggling it can really help to relax and release knowing that we are not necessarily doing something wrong. Knowing that not everything is emotional or a sign of some lack within ourselves. Nothing about you is broken in any way and there is always a pathway to healing. Your brain may have been injured, stressed, or overloaded — but it can heal.

A Short list of mental issues caused by brain dysfunction

Depression – often connected to changes in brain circuits, reduced energy in certain regions, or injury-related disruptions.
Anxiety disorders – when brain networks involved in fear and stress regulation become overactive or imbalanced.
Bipolar disorder – linked to shifts in brain chemistry and connectivity that affect mood regulation.
Schizophrenia and psychosis – associated with altered brain networks for perception, memory, and emotion.
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) – tied to differences in brain regions responsible for focus, impulse control, and motivation.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) – changes in the brain’s memory and fear circuits after trauma.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – linked to hyperactive brain loops involving habits, control, and anxiety.
Addiction and substance use disorders – changes in the brain’s reward system, making cravings and compulsions harder to control.
Dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease) – progressive damage to brain cells and connections leading to memory loss, personality changes, and confusion.
Parkinson’s-related cognitive decline – caused by loss of dopamine-producing brain cells, leading to both movement and mood symptoms.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)-related disorders – depression, anxiety, personality changes, and cognitive problems triggered by head injuries.