(Click Here to Listen to the Full Episode)
In this episode of the Essential Oil Revolution, we focus on one of my favorite topics, brain health. Specifically, we discuss how to optimize our brain power through sleep, brain detoxification, lifestyle, and essential oils. To educate us on these subjects, we are joined by the brilliant, natural health and functional nutrition expert, Dr. David Jockers.
Sleep on the Brain
Sleep is the most underrated wellness hack. It not only impacts our physical health but also how our brain functions, affecting cognition, mood, and our ability to process emotions. When we don’t get enough sleep it disrupts neuronal pruning and removing metabolic waste from neurons, both of which are needed for proper brain performance and memory formation.
The brain’s waste removal system is called the glymphatic system and it is critical for the homeostasis of our brain and body. This means if we cut our sleep short, our brain can’t get the waste out and we are unable to mentally process all we need to optimally function.
This is why it’s so important to understand how to care for our brain by getting the most out of its ability to detoxify. Dr. David Jockers is the go-to person on this subject. During the show, he provides us with a wealth of information on how to support our brains and glymphatic system to optimize brain health.
Dr. Jockers is an internationally well-known doctor of natural medicine, chiropractor, innovator, author, researcher, educator, lecturer, and specialist in all things related to functional nutrition and natural health strategies. He is on a mission to change healthcare. He does this by giving people the tools they need to ignite their natural ability to heal and transform. As a result, Dr. Jockers has founded the most well researched and easy to read websites in the world, reaching 1 million monthly page views, DrJockers.com.
Due to his busy schedule, we had to keep a tight stop time. As a result, I popped back on after our interview to further expand on how essential oils can support our brain health and its functioning.
Below is a summary of what we cover in the show, but be sure to listen to the whole episode. Your brain will love you for it!
- Dr. Jockers’ background and experience in natural health (0 min)
- What is the lymphatic system and what its function is (5.30 min)
- What the glymphatic system is, its function, and what it comprises of (6 min)
- How active the brain is during sleep (6.50 min)
- Why our brain shrinks during sleep (7 min)
- The functions of our glial cells (7.40 min)
- The factors that contribute to why our brain needs to detox (8 min)
- How sleep and sleep posture impact glymphatic function (12 min)
- The six brain and neuronal supporting actions that glymphatic drainage accomplishes while we sleep (12:45 min)
- How glymphatic drainage impacts neuronal health and how this relates to thinking, creativity, and Einstein! (14 min)
- What happens to our brain when it is inflamed and how glymphatic function can assist with balancing out the negative effects (16 min)
- How lack of sleep can lead to excitotoxicity, which is linked to depression (17.50 min)
- How sleep can impact neurotransmitter sensitivity, including insulin (18.30 min)
- How glymphatic drainage can improve memory (20 min)
- How to support the glymphatic system in relation to the lymphatic system (21 min)
- The importance of hydration in relationship to brain detoxification and whole body support (22 min)
- What kind of diet you should consume to stabilize blood sugar to support brain health (23 min)
- Why sleep hygiene starts when you first wake up (26.30 min)
- The role of melatonin and how sunlight impacts its release (30 min)
- The impact of blue light on melatonin and sleep (31 min)
- Additional sleep hygiene tips, including the right mattress (32 min)
- The optimal sleep position for glymphatic drainage (32.30 min)
- How castor oil can be used for enhancing glymphatic function (34 min)
- Essential oils that can support glymphatic function and lymph flow and where to apply them (34.50 min)
- What Dr. Jockers thinks we should remove and replace with instead to be healthier
- Some essential oils that can support our neurotransmitters, neurotransmitter receptor sensitivity, and memory to counter the negative effects of sleep loss (39.40 min)
- An additional “perk” to peppermint oil in relationship to our sleep-wake cycle (41 min)
- Other essential oils to calm down the body and nervous system at night and how to use them (42.40 min)
Click here to listen to the full episode.
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Disclaimer: This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.
