Show Notes
What if anxiety, low mood, brain fog, and poor focus are not simply mental health conditions—but signals that your brain is missing the nutrients it needs to function optimally? In this episode of Root to Rise, Dr. Emily Splichal is joined by functional nutrition therapy practitioner Laurie Hammer for an eye-opening conversation about the relationship between amino acids, neurotransmitters, and brain health. Together, they explore how serotonin, dopamine, GABA, endorphins, and blood sugar regulation influence everything from stress resilience and motivation to emotional well-being and cognitive performance. You'll learn how chronic stress, menopause, mold exposure, viral illness, and inflammation can contribute to neurotransmitter depletion, why amino acids are the essential building blocks of brain chemistry, and how targeted nutritional support may help restore balance. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of working with qualified healthcare providers when using nutritional strategies alongside psychiatric medications, highlighting a safe, integrative approach to supporting mental health. Whether you're looking to better understand your own brain or support the health of those around you, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the powerful connection between nutrition, brain chemistry, and overall well-being. Sections: 0:00 Introduction — Meet Laurie Hamer 3:30 The Five Core Neurotransmitters and What They Do 9:00 Anxiety as a Nutrient Deficiency, Not a Diagnosis 19:50 Mapping Amino Acids to Neurotransmitters 27:00 Real Client Case Studies and Amino Acid Testing 32:00 Medication, Tapering, and the Amino Acid Conversation 40:00 Hormones, Menopause, Mold Toxicity, and Brain Inflammation 47:00 Where to Find Laurie and Take Back My Brain
Follow Laurie Hamer and the Take Back My Brain podcast to learn more about amino acid therapy and brain health testing, and subscribe to Root to Rise for more conversations on the science of human potential. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/take-back-my-brain/id1684847484
👣 Connect with Dr. Emily Splichal: Consultations: www.dremilysplichal.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/dremilydpm
🎧 Follow & Subscribe for More: New episodes exploring barefoot science, nervous system health, emotional regulation, and holistic human performance.
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