everywomanover29 blog

Food, Mood and Women's Health – Be your healthiest, look and feel great!

physiological

Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER) is an abrupt emotional “drop” that occurs in some women just before milk release

By 4 Comments

d-mer

Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER) is an abrupt emotional “drop” that occurs in some women just before milk release and continues for not more than a few minutes. The brief negative feelings range in severity from wistfulness to self-loathing, and appear to have a physiological cause.

The authors suggest that an abrupt drop in dopamine may occur when milk release is triggered, resulting in a real or relative brief dopamine deficit for affected women.

Clinicians can support women with D-MER in several ways; often, simply knowing that it is a recognized phenomenon makes the condition tolerable. Further study is needed.

The above abstract is from this paper published in 2011 – Dysphoric milk ejection reflex: A case report.

Alia Heise (AH) is co-author of this paper and coined the term D-MER. She is sharing her breastfeeding and D-MER experiences as the case.

Many women who are struggling with these feelings don’t ask for help and when they do they are often dismissed. The authors share it’s “a breastfeeding problem for which affected mothers seem only rarely to seek or receive help.” I’m sharing this case and more about D-MER for these reasons and because troubled mothers often stop breastfeeding.

Read on to learn about the dopamine hypothesis and how Rhodiola helped Alia.

Feedback from struggling moms

The authors share this description from a struggling mom:

If you read Harry Potter they talk about the creatures that suck the soul out of you and when they are around it makes you cold and you start to focus on negative things and fall into this abyss of negative thoughts – that is how D-MER was for me at times.

Someone in my community shared this when I posted the case on Facebook:

I experienced an extreme emotional response. I would describe it as a wave of huge anxiety… almost suicidal at times but only during letdown (it lasted only a couple of minutes if that, but it was so severe.)

I started noticing it when I would pump. After I researched it I figured out there was a name for it and a reason. I never could find anyone to help me… I remember mentioning it to my doctor and she had never heard of it. I just suffered through and so my breastfeeding/pumping journey ended at 6 months.

I appreciate Alie and the authors for helping to create awareness and these moms for sharing their experiences. Hopefully this information will mean fewer moms struggle alone with D-MER and more awareness amongst practitioners.

I share some highlights below but be sure to read the entire paper here – Dysphoric milk ejection reflex: A case report.

The spectrum of D-MER symptoms and a drop in dopamine hypothesized as the cause

Here is the spectrum of D-MER symptoms (as listed in the above paper):

  1. Depression, wistfulness, homesickness, apprehension, hopelessness, hollowness in stomach (first 3 months)
  2. Anxiety, dread, panic, irritability (6 to 12 months)
  3. Anger, tension, agitation, paranoia (until weaning)

A drop in dopamine is hypothesized as the cause in susceptible mothers (also from the above paper):

Based on AH’s experiences, and until more is known, it is the authors’ very humble hypothesis that a drop in dopamine either facilitates or parallels each oxytocin spike in lactating human mothers, and that it is this dopamine drop that results in D-MER in susceptible mothers.

What adds value to Alia’s dopamine hypothesis is that bupropion, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor (i.e. a medication that increases dopamine), reduced her symptoms in a day and eliminated her symptoms in 5 days. She did, however, have to stop the medication due to side effects.

Rhodiola prevents the breakdown of dopamine, increasing it’s availability

Alia then learned about a herb called Rhodiola rosea that “is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor that prevents the breakdown of dopamine, increasing its availability.”

When she used Rhodiola her symptoms became much milder and when she missed taking Rhodiola her D-MER symptoms were worse. She didn’t notice any changes in her milk supply.

I will add that Alia used Rhodiola when her daughter was 14 months old and her D-MER symptoms were “somewhat reduced, but still extremely troublesome.” I have to wonder if she may have needed to use a higher dose when her daughter was a new-born and Alie’s symptoms were more severe.

Safety of Rhodiola when breastfeeding

The authors quote Sheila Humphrey, author of The Nursing Mother’s Herbal (my Amazon link) who groups Rhodiola with several other “tonic herbs” for which “there are no anecdotes, as yet, to suggest that they will affect breastfeeding babies.”

Dr Aviva Romm, MD, calls Rhodiola “The Spirit Calming, Anti-Anxiety Adaptogen” in this article about adaptogenic herbs

Rhodiola extract helps promote a calm emotional state and supports strong mental performance, optimal immune function, and hormonal balance. It is a key adaptogen for reducing anxiety. It improves mental and physical stamina, improves sleep, and reduces stress, “burn out,” and irritability.

She says to avoid Rhodiola if you have bipolar disorder and during pregnancy (due to lack of safety data), but considers it safe while breastfeeding.

But, as always, when it comes to nursing, I have clients work with their practitioner.

Future research on tyrosine and theanine during breastfeeding, and prevention

I would also love to see future research on the safety of tyrosine and theanine (and all amino acids) being used during breastfeeding, as another option for moms with D-MER.

Tyrosine is well-recognized as an amino acid that helps to boost dopamine levels and improve a low mood and may help ease some of the D-MER symptoms. Some individuals report how tyrosine also alleviates their anxiety and panic attacks and creates a feeling of calm focus.

Theanine, also an amino acid, supports GABA, dopamine and serotonin and I feel has a potential application in D-MER. There may well be a role for tryptophan (for serotonin support and the depression/self-loathing/anger/agitation/panic symptoms of D-MER) and GABA (for GABA support and the anxiety/tension symptoms of D-MER).

They may also help with postpartum anxiety, depression, OCD and intrusive thoughts.

I’d also like to see future research look at possible correlations between D-MER and low neurotransmitters before pregnancy/nursing. And if these women saw benefits with amino acids. Addressing low levels of neurotransmitters and the dietary factors I address in my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution, may help prevent this or at least reduce the severity of symptoms.

Resources if you are new to using amino acids as supplements

If you are new to using amino acids as supplements, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see all the symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalances, including low GABA, low serotonin and low dopamine).

If you suspect low levels of any of the neurotransmitters and do not yet have my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings, I highly recommend getting it and reading it before jumping in and using amino acids on your own so you are knowledgeable. And be sure to share it with the practitioner/health team you or your loved one is working with.

There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, gluten, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, anxiety and mood issues.

The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs. You can find them all in my online store.

If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA QuickStart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms too). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support.

If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. This is also a paid online/virtual program with an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.

Have you experienced D-MER and were you advised to use Rhodiola? And if yes, how did it help? What else helped?

Or did you get no help from your medical team?

Do you feel there is a possible correlation between your D-MER symptoms and low neurotransmitter symptoms you experienced before pregnancy/nursing? If yes, which amino acids helped you before you were pregnant?

If you are a practitioner, are you familiar with D-MER and have you seen Rhodiola help?

Feel free to post your feedback and questions here in the comments.

Thera360 Plus: my portable full-spectrum infrared sauna from Therasage (better sleep and digestion, more energy, and even more joy!)

By 39 Comments

thera360 plus

Today I’m sharing why I personally chose the Thera360 Plus, a portable full-spectrum infrared sauna from Therasage. And I also share my feedback on how I feel after using this sauna.  I also have a call to action asking you to share your sauna experiences so the community can benefit from the collective wisdom of everyone who has one or uses one.

I also highlight some of the many health benefits of regular sauna sessions – both mental and physiological.

Mental health benefits: improved well-being, reduced pain, stress reduction and improved sleep

Here are some of the mental health benefits from this paper, Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review):

  • In addition to having profound physiological effects, sauna bathing is reported to have beneficial psychological effects that are reflected in the many reports of improved well-being and pain tolerance.
  • The psychological impact of sauna bathing may be due to a combination of factors that include release of endorphins and other opioid-like peptides such as dynorphins, forced mindfulness, psychological stress reduction, relaxation, improved sleep, time out from busy life schedules, placebo effects, and other aspects of individual psychological and social interactions that likely occur around frequent sauna activity.
  • While it is difficult to distinguish between the different factors that produce positive psychological effects, such effects may enhance other physiological and metabolic benefits as they are likely to promote adherence to regular sauna activity.

Remember, endorphin release leads to feeling joyful.

And this last bullet is an important one to highlight: when you really enjoy doing something you are more likely to continue doing it. This means you’ll continue to see benefits.

There is also research that supports serotonin-boosting effects and cortisol-lowering effects, both of which are important when it comes to anxiety and mood too. (I’ll address this in a future blog on saunas, together with other mechanisms).

Physiological benefits: reduced inflammation, benefits for Alzheimer’s, reducing toxins and improved heart health

Here are a few studies you can read to learn more about some of the many physiological benefits of sauna:

And this is an excerpt from the Therasage site

The Thera360 Plus sauna enhances mitochondrial health and cellular energy, improves microcirculation and blood oxygenation, enhances the natural production of nitric oxide, offers skin and anti-aging benefits, and the best natural detoxification possible, along with all the amazing health benefits of Full Spectrum Infrared.

The many positive features that helped me pick this sauna

The Thera360 Plus is the sauna I own and endorse. Here are a few of the many positive features that helped me decide to purchase this one (I did a fair amount of research and did look at other units too):

  • It is a full-spectrum (near and far) infrared sauna
  • It comes with red light/photobiomodulation panels (which also help with pain, mood and reducing inflammation).
  • It has the tourmaline gemstones built-in (these generate negative ions so it feels like you’ve been at the beach or a waterfall).
  • The chair and foot base is made of non-toxic bamboo materials. I’m used to having to leave new items outside for days in order to off-gas. I was surprised that this was not needed. Their “No Off-Gassing” message holds true.
  • The bamboo foot base is a grounding mat.
  • It is low EMF and shields not only EMF’s but also ELF’s, RF’s and dirty electricity. Before I purchased my sauna, I met with the owner and am super-impressed by this feature.  It’s a really important factor for me and anyone with anxiety or chronic illness and/or electromagnetic hypersensitivity). As soon as it arrived I set it up (set up is so easy) and got out my meter and measured all the EMFs and sure enough there is no exposure when inside the sauna.
  • The digital temperature controller is simple to use.
  • It’s portable, small and convenient to use.
  • It’s affordable, is made in California and the company ships internationally.

My personal feedback as to how I feel after using this sauna

For me, this infrared sauna (with red light therapy and tourmaline) helps me with sleep, digestion and energy primarily (I have chronic Lyme). I also know it’s helping me with ongoing detoxification, mitochondrial health, stress reduction and mood support, immune function and cardiovascular health.

The good news is that the sauna has anti-inflammatory benefits and provides me with wonderful relief from pain, muscle spasms and other injuries.

Also, I feel a real sense of joy after using it … I can’t stop smiling for hours after a session.  That is the endorphin and serotonin boost I’m getting, plus some of the benefits of negative ions! I love the outdoors and after a session in the sauna, I almost feel like I’ve been for a hike or walk on the beach.

I’ve also positioned my sauna facing a large window that looks onto our covered patio. It has lots of greenery and I can see the blue sky off to the left. This is particularly pleasant on a cold winter’s day and I get some of the benefits of nature.

sauna
sauna

I love the bamboo chair that ships with it but it wasn’t providing me with any lower back support (I’m prone to back injuries).  I made a modification with a bamboo garden stake and PVC bracket (with some help from my darling father-in-law). Here are some images in case it’s something you’ve been considering….it works perfectly for the back support I need, keeps my bare back exposed to the heat and the bamboo garden stake slides out if needed.

sauna chair
sauna chair PVC clip

A more in-depth blog post: mechanisms and additional insights

I believe we can all benefit from regular sauna bathing! And I’ll be sharing a more in-depth blog post on additional benefits of infrared sauna, some of the mechanisms, how to interpret the research (since there is so much research on traditional/Finnish saunas which are shorter duration and higher temperatures), how to assess the different saunas that are available, and how to use one and get the most benefits.

I’ll also share my insights on using sauna bathing for benzodiazepine, SSRI, opioid and alcohol detox; why folks with pyroluria may see specific benefits; and using sauna bathing to help reduce the impact of these things that increase anxiety – toxic mold, heavy metals, Lyme disease, pesticides, glyphosate, fluoride, phthalates and much more.

Learn more about the Thera360 Plus sauna here on the Therasage site. If you decide to purchase use coupon code TRUDY10 to save 10%.

I was confused when I started looking into saunas and if you’ve been following me for a while you know I like to share what I learn – hence this blog post. I’m still learning and will continue to share in follow-up posts.

There are many excellent saunas available for purchase and this is just one of them that I landed upon after researching a number of them.

If you have a home sauna, please share:

  • which one you have
  • why you purchased this type/brand (or use this type of sauna)
  • and the benefits you have experienced.

And do feel free to share more about:

  • how you use yours – duration, frequency, temperature
  • what you do before and after (for hydration)
  • if you dry-brush (before or after)
  • if you use certain nutrients (like niacin, charcoal, magnesium and other electrolytes, glutathione, NAC etc)
  • anything else you do as part of your sauna bathing
  • what other detox approaches you use (such as rebounding or castor oil packs etc).

By using the collective wisdom from this community we can all learn and benefit. And giving/contributing gives you a nice endorphin boost too!

If you have questions please share them here too.

The effect of emotional freedom technique on nurses’ stress, anxiety, and burnout levels during the pandemic

By 4 Comments

emotional freedom technique and nurses

Nurses who are working with patients during this pandemic “are particularly vulnerable to emotions such as fear and anxiety, due to fatigue, discomfort, and helplessness related to their high intensity work.” A new paper published Dec 2020, The effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on nurses’ stress, anxiety, and burnout levels during the COVID-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled trial reports the benefits of just one online session of EFT (emotional freedom technique) or tapping.

As this paper mentions, “The basic principle of EFT is to send activating and deactivating signals to the brain by stimulating points on the skin that have distinctive electrical properties, usually by tapping on them.”

The study participants were shown a picture of the acupressure points and shown how to “gently tap on them using their index and middle fingers. After this demonstration, the participants followed the basic steps of an EFT session, following the researcher’s example:

  1. Identify an anxiety-evoking issue and determine the SUD level [the SUD is a subjective unit of distress ranging from 0 to 10 with 10 being most severe]
  2. Creating a personal acceptance and reminder statement in the general form of “I accept myself despite this ……….”
  3. Tapping seven times on each acupressure point
  4. After tapping these points, the affirmation/reminder statement is repeated.
  5. A sequence of physical movements and vocalizations called “The Nine Gamut Procedure” is carried out.
  6. Steps 3 and 4 are repeated.
  7. Another SUD rating is given [in other words how they felt afterwards on a scale of 0 to 10]

The study conclusion is as follows: “A single online group EFT session reduced stress, anxiety, and burnout levels in nurses treating COVID-19.” You can read the full study here and see the picture of the acupressure points.

This is a powerful intervention for nurses, other healthcare and frontline workers – and anyone dealing with anxiety, stress and burnout!

Tapping leads to psychological and physiological improvements

As well as psychological improvements, tapping also leads to physiological improvements. In a 2019 study, “after a 4-day training workshop on tapping, the researchers reported that happiness increased by 31% and the following declines in psychological symptoms in 203 participants were reported:

  • anxiety (-40%)
  • depression (-35%)
  • posttraumatic stress disorder (-32%)
  • pain (-57%) and
  • cravings (-74%)

I find it fascinating that EFT/tapping leads to physiological improvements too. In this same 2019 study these changes were reported:

  • resting heart rate (-8%)
  • salivary cortisol (-37%)
  • systolic blood pressure (-6%) and diastolic blood pressure (-8%)
  • heart rate variability and heart coherence
  • salivary immunoglobulin A (SigA) (+113%)

You can read more about this study here: Tapping (or EFT) for reducing anxiety, depression, pain and cravings, plus physiological changes in cortisol, heart rate, blood pressure and SigA

Combining tapping with nutritional approaches for easing anxiety

As I mention in the above blog, I have great success with amino acids like GABA, tryptophan and glutamine to provide quick anxiety-relief, end the overwhelm and stop the carb cravings for my clients. So until recently, I hadn’t really felt the need to look into tapping.

However, I believe we need to use everything at our disposal. We also respond differently to different approaches and what may work for one person may not work as well for someone else.

I love that EFT/emotional freedom technique/tapping compliments the dietary/nutritional/biochemical approach I use with my clients for helping to ease anxiety, overwhelm and stress.

Ideally these nurses (and you and anyone who is stressed or anxious) could could use tapping/EFT and combine it with nutritional support for possibly even more benefits:

  • Use targeted amino acids such as tryptophan or 5-HTP for the low serotonin worry-in-your-head anxiety where folks may also experience fears, panic attacks, ruminations, phobias, insomnia, PMS, anger, irritability and cravings; and GABA for the low GABA physical-anxiety that also includes muscle tension, overwhelm, insomnia and the need to self-medicate with alcohol to calm down
  • DPA (d-phenylalanine), also an amino acid, boosts endorphins (in a similar way to acupuncture) and helps my clients who are experiencing weepiness, pain and are big comfort/reward eaters. I blog about this here: DPA for weepiness, pain and comfort and reward eating)

In April last year I blogged about nutritional and lifestyle approaches after reading a very somber and eye-opening article in the New York Times titled: The Psychological Trauma That Awaits Our Doctors and Nurses. You can read about B vitamins, melatonin, nature and more on this blog here.

EFT/tapping resources

If you’re new to EFT/tapping and would like to learn more, the 13th Annual Tapping World Summit airs online starting Feb 22, 2021:

Nick has also written a best-selling book “The Tapping Solution: A Revolutionary System for Stress-Free Living” (my Amazon link)

Are you a nurse or other frontline worker who has used EFT with success?

Do you use both with success: EFT and the amino acids like GABA, tryptophan, 5-HTP, theanine or glutamine? What about EFT and dietary changes like no gluten, no sugar and no caffeine?

I also want to give a shoutout to all the nurses and other frontline workers who are doing so much during this pandemic. We appreciate you!

Tapping (or EFT) for reducing anxiety, depression, pain and cravings, plus physiological changes in cortisol, heart rate, blood pressure and SigA

By 16 Comments

tapping and anxiety

Awareness about tapping or EFT (emotional freedom technique) is growing and so is the research. I’ve been intrigued by tapping for some time and I’m impressed by some of the very positive feedback I’ve heard about how it reduces anxiety, depression, pain and cravings. I’m now more intrigued after reading a 2019 paper that describes some of the physiological changes (i.e. changes in the body) that improve after tapping.

This paper, Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Improves Multiple Physiological Markers of Health, describes EFT as “an evidence-based self-help therapeutic method”, reporting that “over 100 studies demonstrate its efficacy.”

It’s further described as “a brief intervention combining elements of exposure, cognitive therapy, and somatic [or physical] stimulation of acupressure points on the face and body.” The full paper here goes into great detail if you’d like to read more.

The objectives of this study were to measure and describe some of the physiological changes that occur after tapping, in order to understand some of the mechanisms. Up until now “information about the physiological effects of EFT is limited.”

As far as physiological changes, these included: heart rate variability and heart coherence, resting heart rate and blood pressure, salivary cortisol (to show changes in the endocrine system), and salivary immunoglobulin A (SigA) (to show impacts on the immune system).

They also measured these psychological symptoms: anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, pain, and cravings. After a 4-day training workshop on tapping, the researchers reported that happiness increased by 31% and the following declines in psychological symptoms in 203 participants were reported:

  • anxiety (-40%)
  • depression (-35%)
  • posttraumatic stress disorder (-32%)
  • pain (-57%) and
  • cravings (-74%)

These physiological improvements were found in the subset of 31 participants that were tested:

  • resting heart rate (-8%)
  • salivary cortisol (-37%)
  • systolic blood pressure (-6%) and diastolic blood pressure (-8%)
  • heart rate variability and heart coherence
  • salivary immunoglobulin A (SigA) (+113%)

The authors conclude that

gains were maintained on follow-up, indicating EFT results in positive health effects as well as increased mental well-being.

If you’ve been following me for awhile you know I like to look into the research so I’m excited by this study and look forward to further research and gaining a better understanding of this tool.

I also look forward to learning how lasting these psychological and physiological changes are and if you need to keep tapping in order to sustain the changes.

Possible impacts on boosting neurotransmitter levels

Because of the psychological benefits I was also curious about the possible impacts of tapping on boosting neurotransmitter levels such as GABA and serotonin. I found this research on acupuncture which we may be able to partially extrapolate from since EFT does have the acupressure aspect: Effect of Acupuncture on Neurotransmitters/Modulators

In general, acupuncture enhances the activity of the endogenous opioid peptides, serotonin, dopamine, ACh [actelyl-choline], and inhibitory amino acids such as γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, taurine, and lactamine, while it attenuates the activity of noradrenalin and excitatory amino acids including glutamate and aspartic acid.

Compliments the dietary/nutritional/biochemical approach

Based on what I’ve been recently learned, tapping compliments the dietary/nutritional/biochemical approach I use my clients for helping to ease anxiety, overwhelm and stress.

I reached out on Facebook and here is some of the feedback I received:

  • Maria shares how she uses both EFT and tryptophan: I started using EFT and it has helped – wasn’t expecting it to, but it really does work. However, having had a particular problem for many years, I realize that it’s going to take time to really be at the level I want to be. I also got a teenager to try it, and to their amazement, it did settle their anxiousness – from what they initially said was a 10 -11 – down to 7 in just a few minutes. Last night, I tried the Lidtke Tryptophan and couldn’t believe how deeply and undisturbed I slept – thank you Trudy – I learnt about that product from you during the anxiety summit. By the way, I will be joining the Tapping Summit – can’t wait for that one!
  • Terri Hirning is a practitioner and shares that her and her biz partner bring it to their clients in conjunction with lifestyle changes for maximum effect. She shares: I find that anxiety is a big issue for my clients. So while they are implementing dietary or supplement changes, tapping can help reduce those emotions while their biochemistry comes into alignment.

She also says: I taught it to my children and they have The Tapping Solution app and will proactively use it when they need to shift things. I am so thankful for this work.

  • Meeta Darji is a health coach and says this: YES! EFT is profound in helping with anxiety and stress. I have been doing it for the last two years and use it on my kids too. I’m training at the moment and learning how it can help with cravings and addictions. Absolutely incredible and I can’t wait to add it to my health coaching practice.

She does use amino acids like GABA, tryptophan, DPA, glutamine for anxiety and cravings/addictions and agrees that EFT is definitely a good compliment. EFT is great for using with limiting beliefs, traumas, addictions, fears and so much more, so together with amino acids, it’s very powerful.

  • Benita Scott shares this: EFT is so great! I use it as part of my professional practice as a psychologist and in conjunction with Nutritional therapies it’s a game changer for so many vulnerable clients. It’s been shown to increase GABA levels, decrease cortisol and alter brain cells in relation to food cravings too. There has been a paradigm shift in psychology recently and I think EFT, Matrix and nutritional supplements are changing how we work and heal.
  • Dede shares how EFT changed her life: I was on permanent disability for 20 years due to panic attacks. EFT changed all that so I became a practitioner. This was 11 years ago.

She shares how she went through “the literal hell of getting off psych meds. I wouldn’t have survived without EFT and food changes.”

It does seem to be very individualized and works very well for some folks and not very well or not at all for others:

  • One person said EFT is soothing in the moment but she didn’t find any significant or lasting benefits.
  • Someone else shared: I have tried it, my daughter and her son went to a practitioner, and it did nothing for me or them. I have studied how to do it on-line from well known sites, and still nothing. I’m wondering if a lot of healings are the placebo effect.
  • It doesn’t seem to work for me either (more on that below)

My tapping experience is very limited

I will admit that, at this point, my tapping experience is very limited.  I have such great success with amino acids like GABA, tryptophan and glutamine to provide quick anxiety-relief, end the overwhelm and stop the carb cravings for my clients, I haven’t felt the need to look into tapping.

In case you’re new to me and my work, here is a sampling of a few tools I use with my anxious clients:

  • My main approach is using targeted amino acids such as tryptophan or 5-HTP for the low serotonin worry-in-your-head anxiety where folks may also experience fears, panic attacks, ruminations, phobias, insomnia, PMS, anger, irritability and cravings; and GABA for the low GABA physical-anxiety that also includes muscle tension, overwhelm, insomnia and the need to self-medicate with alcohol to calm down
  • Another amino acid is DPA (d-phenylalanine) and I’m mentioning this one because it boosts endorphins (in a similar way to acupuncture) and helps my clients who are experiencing weepiness, pain and are big comfort/reward eaters. I blog about this here: DPA for weepiness, pain and comfort and reward eating)
  • Since the EFT study mentions cortisol, I’ll share one of my key nutrients for lowering cortisol – Seriphos (I blog about this here: Seriphos Original Formula is back: the best product for anxiety and insomnia caused by high cortisol)
  • And of course everything else: diet, no sugar, no caffeine, gut health, improving sleep, toxin removal and addressing all nutritional deficiencies etc (covered in great detail in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” and elsewhere on this blog.)

I’m getting newly acquainted with EFT

I have been hearing about tapping/EFT for years – first from Dr. Mercola and then had a group session at a conference with Brad Yates and didn’t notice any benefits. I’ve tried it again a few times and have yet to experience any profound benefits. I’d expect to be a good candidate given my history with anxiety/insomnia.

I really do like to be able to share resources and products I have experienced personally but in this instance I’m still a newbie.

As of now I don’t know why tapping/EFT doesn’t help me and some other folks. Perhaps there is a bioindividual aspect? Just like some folks do well with herbs and some with vitamins/amino acids; some folks thrive on spinach and some have oxalate issues; some folks do well with  meditation and others struggle with it; some find nature to be an elixir and others find dancing to be their magic?

However, based on what I’ve recently learned about the physiological changes and the feedback I’ve heard, I’m getting newly acquainted with EFT and it’s an additional resource I want to offer you – my community of anxious women.

Right now I’m seeing it as another tool in the toolbox (for some folks), together with dietary changes, addressing biochemical imbalances, gut health, getting out in nature etc.

Resources for additional learning

If you’re new to tapping and would like to learn more, the 13th Annual Tapping World Summit airs online Feb 24 – March 7. Here is the main summit registration page.

This is a great introductory video from summit host Nick Ortner (register to watch it and get access to the summit)

I’d love to hear back from you in the comments below

  • Do you use tapping/EFT in conjunction with dietary/nutritional/biochemical changes to help ease your anxiety, stress, overwhelm? (if you’re a practitioner, do you use both with clients/patients?)
  • Do you find one approach to be better than the other?
  • Have you tried tapping without success?
  • If you’re new to tapping/EFT are you interested in learning how to incorporate it into your life?

Please share so I can learn from you and we can all learn from each other (and thanks to everyone who has contributed to the discussion already).