Can you really change your brain chemistry with thoughts

[Raaraaaaa9]

Hello, just that really.

I have been put on ciltropram for anxiety, just a general sense of doom and worry. I've also started with a councellor and waiting for cbt.

I have been told that it may take time but I can actively change my brain chemistry by working in my thoughts to create more positive brain connections.

Has anyone had experience of doing this? I'm committed by sceptical!

You need an EMDR specialist.
I am starting this soon.. just a six week assessment on NHS but there is a two year waiting list for EMDR. I am paying private on average £70 per session where l live. ( Usually six to 10 sessions).
Research EMDR.
I've had counselling/ CBT for 30 years plus and been on various anti depressants all that time.. diazepam from time to time.. time in psychiatric hospitals.
Really hoping EMDR will be my final help to rid me of my mental agony.

Hi, I've had edmr, it was very useful after a particular trauma, calmed my nervous system down and processed alot. But this time around when I went back with just general anxiety it hasn't helped, I think I need to learn how to break the thought patterns I've developed over last 4. I know why I think like this and gave accepted alot but now u need to retrain my brain into knowing I'm safe and get out of old thought habits. If that makes sense!

Yes you can. I'm bipolar, was diagnosed about 15 years ago. I was reliant on 900mg Quetiapine daily but hated it. I was lucky enough to get onto a medical trial and was accepted onto the group and was allocated 26 weeks of intensive psychotherapy with an actual qualified psychologist Dr. I won't dumb it down, it was totally life changing for me. Within 6 months I was drug free and now fifteen years on I have top up therapy every year or two and I'm mostly drug free. I only take short courses of 3-10 days of drugs when I need serious intervention. I do still get anxious/depressed/manic etc but I am so much better able to identify warning signs and then respond to them. I have learned to manage my own condition and I know when to listen to my Body and when to ignore my mind.

Also not for everybody but a few years ago I found magic mushrooms. I grew my own after a ton of research. Psilocybin therapy has been AMAZING for me. I had lots of micro doses and then one larger dose and it was beautiful. This is going to sound dramatic but I took a 18g dose in my garden at the height of summer. Got on my garden soda and just United ask these swirly visuals and this sense of euphoria. Then the courts moved and the sun shone down on me and it told me I need to forgive myself. I took a deep breath and as I breathed out it was like my body was floating with a lightness I've never experienced before. And just like that, I find it so easy to be kind to myself instead of beating myself up for every little mistake I've ever made in my life.

There are 40 quadrillion active synaptic connections in the average healthy human brain and thanks to what we now know about neuroplasticity, we know these connections are constantly rewiring and adapting as we learn and grow so, in answer to your question, yes - your brain chemistry can change.

By changing the way you think, the way you look at situations and problems and the way you regard yourself and other people you will develop new neural pathways in your brain. More pertinently you will be happier.

In terms of the structure of the brain, thoughts are just connections between neurons. The more often you have a thought, or the stronger the emotional content, the stronger the connection beomes.
So, the theory is by actively thinking new positive or at least neutral thoughts you can combat the old/negative thought patterns you have built up.
Basically the brain is plastic.

Also interesting to think about is the role of diet in producing neurotransmitters and maintaining brain health. One theory of depression, for example, is that it is a deficiency in seratonin. Great, lets have a medication to sort that out. Or, take a look at how diet might be deficient in the things the body needs to make seratonin.

I was on an SSRI for a long time to combat depression, and at no point did anyone talk to me about diet. Or suggest that my iron deficiency might contribute to it.

I am not a health care professional or a doctor, but if you have the time take a look at Dr Geogia Ede, s

Anxiety can be natural response to some situations. What is your general situation, i.e. how do you spend your time, how are things financially, how are things in your life generally?

Hi OP
I've been diagnosed by a NHS mental health nurse as having complex trauma (chaotic and frightening childhood). I've had anxiety and/or depression for years. Also a bit of OCD as well. I've had prozac for it and whilst it certainly numbed my feelings it obviously does not cure it.

I'm meant to be getting clinical psychotherapy on the NHS but it's taking ages.

In the meantime I discovered a guy on youtube (I know) but honestly he is really good. It's called The Two Mind Method. The guy basically used to be like me and through years of therapy, reading and other methods he has gotten well.

His videos are just excellent and I really recommend them. They are not glitzy - just a bloke sitting talking but they make so much sense to me. In fact they sometimes have me in tears.

According to him anxiety is basically just a fancy word for 'fear'.
It usually comes from having an insecure attachment caused by a less than ideal childhood.

I know he has a videos about people who are anxiously attached (don't know if that is how you would describe yourself).

Anyway his channel is about our 'two' minds. Our thinking mind which is what we use to do day to day stuff ie our jobs, our housework, errands etc. Then we all have another mind (also known as our subconcious or our inner child). This one controls the emotions.

Anyway I have watched you tube for years and only recently did I bother to subscribe as I wanted to be able to comment and like his videos.

In years of watching you tube his videos must be some of the best content I have ever seen on trauma, insecure attachment, anxiety, destructive relationship patterns etc.

I hope they help you.