Do You Have A Leaky Brain?

Do you have a leaky brain? You’ve probably heard of leaky gut, but at the Brain Health Center of Chicago we want you to understand the leaky brain just as well. If you have symptoms of leaky gut or intestinal permeability, you most likely also have a leaky brain, or blood-brain barrier permeability. How do you know? You can perform a simple test with store-bought supplements to find out.
The blood-brain barrier is a thin barrier that lines the brain. Its role is to keep out viruses, bacteria, chemicals, heavy metals, and other pathogens, but to allow nano-sized particles in and out as necessary.
Unfortunately, the blood-brain barrier can become leaky just as the gut can. It allows harmful pathogens to enter, where they trigger inflammation. This chronic inflammation damages and destroys brain tissue, accelerating brain degeneration. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the blood-brain barrier is essential to protecting healthy brain function. Symptoms include:

1. This condition has been linked to depression, ADD/ADHD, chronic pain, autism, mental illnesses, seizures, and facial palsies.
2. One of the more common symptoms is brain fog, especially if you feel it after eating.

The Challenge Test

How do you know if your blood-brain barrier is permeable? You can perform a simple test with a store-bought supplement.
Simply take 1,000 mg of straight GABA (not GABA precursors such as theanine). For the best results, be sure to take this test during the day and not at bedtime.
GABA is a calming neurotransmitter. Although you can buy GABA supplements, the truth is the GABA molecule is too large to pass through a healthy blood-brain barrier.
If you feel drowsy or sleepy several hours after taking 1,000 mg of GABA, this means your blood-brain barrier is permeable enough to let GABA through.
Instead of feeling relaxed, some people find GABA makes them feel anxious. This is because the brain’s GABA system is weak and taking GABA over stimulated it. This also indicates a permeable barrier.
If taking GABA caused no change in how you feel, that is a good sign your blood-brain barrier is intact.

What Causes It?

Studies show a variety of factors are to blame:

• Unstable blood sugar; high blood sugar.
• Gluten.
• Chronic stress.
• Chronic inflammation.
• Poor gut health (leaky gut).
• Autoimmunity.
• Excess alcohol consumption.

Repairing the Barrier

Fortunately, there is plenty you can do to repair the blood-brain barrier, reduce or halt brain inflammation, and slow brain degeneration:

• Take care of gut health.
• Go gluten-free.
• Remove other food intolerances (dairy, etc.).
• Manage low or high blood sugar imbalances.
• Ensure adequate vitamin D level.
• Manage inflammation and autoimmunity.

Our qEEG brain mapping and neurofeedback therapy at the Brain Health Center of Chicago can support healthier brain function as you make these changes. Contact us below for more ideas on how you can repair leaky gut and manage symptoms of brain fog, depression, memory loss, and other signs of poor brain function.