Recent research points to chronic brain inflammation as a possible contributor to mental health challenges. Inflammation, when acute and short-term, is a natural and necessary process that helps the body heal. However, what we encounter more frequently in practice is chronic, low-grade, and largely invisible inflammation. Major triggers of this form of inflammation include:

• Dietary Factors: Highly processed foods, refined sugars, commercially raised animal products, pesticides, preservatives, and harmful sulfur compounds can promote inflammation. Environmental pollutants, as well as cleaning and cosmetic products, further burden the body’s detoxification processes.

• Pathogens: Bacterial, fungal, or viral pathogens can instigate an inflammatory response. A common issue we see is candida overgrowth. While candida is naturally present in the body, its overgrowth can lead to an imbalance of dopamine, a key neurotransmitter for mood and reward. Additionally, candida overgrowth can disrupt serotonin production—the majority of which is synthesized in the gut—contributing to mood disturbances, anxiety, sleep issues, and focus problems. Streptococcal infections, another significant pathogen, can also affect serotonin and dopamine levels. Strep has been linked to PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), conditions characterized by sudden onset of OCD, tics, anxiety, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms. These disorders highlight the profound impact that pathogens can have on mental health by triggering inflammatory and autoimmune responses.

• Stress: Chronic stress triggers the release of inflammatory chemicals and hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. This hormonal cascade can disrupt the endocrine system and even alter the physical structure of the brain, impacting mood, memory, and learning. Stress also weakens the body’s defenses, giving strength to pathogens that exacerbate inflammation. Conditions like PANDAS, which link obsessive-compulsive behavior and tics to streptococcal infections, illustrate the connection between pathogens and mental health.