Aunt Flow and Mr. Hyde: Your Brain on Hormones
Presented by: Ashlie Bell, PhD, LCSW, BCN
Neurotherapy Overview on the Endocrine System & Gonadal Hormones
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Neurotherapy Overview on the Endocrine System & Gonadal Hormones 〰️
Recent research within the fields of neuroscience, medicine, and psychiatry has revealed intricate interconnections between the brain and the endocrine system. Gonadal hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, impact much more than just reproduction; rather, they have been found to influence neural structure, brainwaves, neurotransmitters, and other aspects of brain function. In fact, hormonal imbalances have been implicated in a myriad of psychiatric ailments, including posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, migraines, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, among others. Furthermore, these effects can vary throughout various points of daily and monthly cycles, as well different stages of the life. As such, hormonal imbalances and fluctuations can impact brain assessments and neurotherapeutic interventions, as well as cognitive and emotional symptoms.
Conversely, the brain and nervous system have been found to exert significant effects on the endocrine system and may play a role in various endocrine imbalances. Stress and brain injuries have been found to exert particularly detrimental effects on both the endocrine and nervous systems, triggering a cascade of feedback loops which contribute to and exacerbate mental health symptoms. Consequently, a failure to adequately address imbalances within both systems might inhibit clients’ progress with neurotherapy interventions.
This presentation will provide an overview of research on the endocrine system and gonadal hormones as they relate to the fields of neurotherapy and mental health. We will examine the effects of childhood development, puberty, menstrual cycles, hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy/post-partem, menopause, reproductive disorders/cancers, hysterectomies, steroids, bioidentical hormone replacement, trans-sexual hormones, and more. We will also explore interconnections with various other systems and functions, such as the gut, immune system, sleep, attention, and drive. We will then discuss practical recommendations for an integrative neurotherapy approach to help clients effectively balance the various components involved in the brain-endocrine system, thus maximizing neurotherapy outcomes and optimizing clients’ physical, cognitive, and emotional wellbeing.