The rates of depression and anxiety have skyrocketed during the last few years. Depression is different from anxiety; depression is composed of feelings including apathy, having the blues, and sleeping more than normal. Anxiety includes chronic stress, worry, and panic attacks. There is no way to diagnose depression physically, but there is a strong link between low BDNF and Depression
What is BDNF?
BDNF is Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor. It is the fertilizer for the brain; it helps nerve growth, nerve differentiation, and maintenance of the synapses between the nerves.
BDNF works in the synapse and relays the message across the synapse so the message can be heard properly. As a result, BDNF helps support the brain with:
- learning
- long-term memory
- higher thinking
- reduction of inflammation
- mental alertness
- absorption of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
Dopamine and serotonin have a direct effect on your mood. All of the clinical trials that tried to inject BDNF into the central nervous system, failed. So, the question is how do we increase BDNF naturally?
Top 15 Things to Increase BDNF Levels Naturally and Help Beat Depression
1. Acceleradine®
Iodine deficiency is the number one predictor of depression. It is also related to low metabolism, low physical energy, mental fog, and chronic fatigue. Iodine helps increase BDNF and “open up” your pineal gland and your connection to your Higher Self. All of those factors can lead to someone being depressed in addition to their other cofactors causing depression.
2. Accelerated Cogniblast®
Cogniblast® stands as an innovative natural Brain Enhancement solution, elevating short-term mental focus, energy, and memory, while concurrently safeguarding against long-term memory issues and decline.
Key advantages of Cogniblast® include:
- Heightened Cognitive Function
- Enhanced Focus
- Elevated Mood
- Increased ATP Production and Cellular Energy
- Improved Memory and Learning Abilities
- Accelerated Learning Speed
- Reduced Anxiety
- Enhanced Motivation
- Potential for Symptom Prevention in Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- Neutralization of Harmful Free Radicals
- Diminished Inflammation
- Support for Vital Organs such as Liver, Lungs, and Kidneys
- Improved Circulation
- Alleviation of Stress Symptoms
- Increased Energy Levels
3. Accelerated Thyroid®
Accelerated Thyroid is a groundbreaking thyroid supplement designed to address suboptimal thyroid function and metabolism often associated with conditions like depression or brain fog. This comprehensive solution enhances mood, thyroid health, metabolism, fat oxidation, energy, and facilitates weight loss. Notably, Accelerated Thyroid® distinguishes itself by incorporating Scalar frequencies, aiming to detoxify the thyroid from heavy metals and radiation, while restoring thyroid health and reversing hypothyroidism.
4. Accelerated Gold®
Gold has been known for thousands of years to help with anxiety, depression, calming the mind, increased focus, concentration, and sleep– all factors that improve BDNF. Accelerated Scalar Gold helps boost mental wellbeing so you can feel your best. It is enhanced with the powerful Scalar Technology and Water Implosion Technology which increase efficacy and absorption.
5. Accelerated Fast®
Combined with a low carb high protein diet, Accelerated Fast® will not only help to increase BDNF, but it will help lower insulin resistance, increase mental energy, alleviate brain fog, mobilize body fat for energy, and give the body the building blocks of nutrients necessary for neurotransmitter production– all of which is connected to depression as well.
Furthermore, it will increase physical energy, and with more physical energy, the additional physical movement and exercise will increase BDNF even more.
6. Deep Sleep
Sleep deprivation reduces BDNF levels. Everyone needs at least 7 hours of quality sleep. Sleep lowers cortisol and stress levels, improves hormonal balance, and restores energy; all of these factors help alleviate depression.
7. Exercise
Exercise is the fastest and most effective way to increase BDNF. Not only does exercise increase BDNF, but it also increases ketone levels, serotonin, dopamine, circulation, and insulin sensitivity. All of these factors contribute to improved mood and lowered depression.
8. Sunlight
During the winter months, BDNF is at its lowest levels.
Just taking a Vitamin D supplement doesn’t give you what you need; actual sunlight is very therapeutic and effective in increasing BDNF and alleviating depression.
9. Intermittent Fasting
Whether it is intermittent fasting, every other day fasting, or longer fasts, fasting increases BDNF by as much as 400%. Not only does fasting increase BDNF, but it also stabilizes blood sugar, heals Leaky Gut, and reduces systemic inflammation, in the brain and body, which all have a positive impact on mood.
10. Avoid Sugar
In addition to the fact that abstaining from consuming sugar increases BDNF, the indirect effect of losing weight from not eating sugar and sticking to a low-carb diet also increases BDNF.
11. Add Magnesium
Magnesium is a natural antidepressant. It runs 3,751 of your 9,000 enzymes; your metabolism and energy production depends on it. It is also needed to digest, absorb and assimilate food. Magnesium decreases stress levels, improves sleep, and relaxes the body; all of these factors support elevated mood.
12. Wild Animal Protein for your B Vitamins
Depression is linked to a B3 deficiency and B1 deficiency is linked to anxiety. Wild animal protein is the most nutrient-dense source of protein, most nutrients, and especially B vitamins. It also provides the amino acids, which are the building blocks for neurotransmitters including serotonin and dopamine. On the contrary, a vegan diet is absent of the necessary B vitamins, which lead to depression, a sluggish thyroid, and low energy.
13. Eliminate Processed Foods, Vegetable Oils, and Grains
The inflammatory processed foods, vegetable oils, and grains not only don’t have the vitamins to support elevated mood, but they also lead to Leaky Gut, a compromised nutrient absorption issue. Furthermore, these foods are stealing nutrients from the body including the B Vitamins and Vitamin D. The inflammation from eating these foods inflames the brain, leading to suppressed neurotransmitter production, lower BDNF, and brain fog.
14. Aeon “Happy Patch”
Aeon is an anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, and “happy patch”. It balances and calms the brain, reduces cortisol and c reactive proteins, and elevates Dhea. It balances our autonomic nervous system including : heart rate, blood pressure, digestion and respiration. The Aeon patch signals the body to make more of a substance in the liver called phenyl acetyl glutamine that activates many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways.
Aeon flips the body from the sympathetic state (fight or flight) to the parasympathetic state. As a result, BDNF is increased and inflammation in the brain is reduced, which both lead to elevated mood.
15. Nirvana Lifewave Patch
Nirvana is the “bliss and mood” patch to help attain the state of happiness, joy and euphoria. It lifts depression, elevates dopamine, and sustains production of beta endorphins (the happy and feel good hormone). It also stimulates the production of collagen to help reduce lines and wrinkles. It’s a powerful anti-aging nutrient.
16. X39 Stem Cell Activation Patch
X39 is a STEM CELL patch that activates the body’s own stem cell production by elevating GHK-cu peptide for regeneration and repair. People using X39 notice mental clarity, more joy, elevated mood, pain and inflammation reduction, wound healing, better sleep, youthful energy, soft skin, wrinkle reduction, hair growth, enhanced sports performance, faster recovery and reversed cellular aging.
This peptide resets 4000 genes to a younger state, helps repair collagen in all tissues, activates stem cell production, encourages apoptosis of cancer cells, and discourages metastatic cancer cells.
17. Alavida
It increases organ function, reduces oxidative stress, and increases antioxidants. It stimulates frontal lobes and pineal gland activation which helps mood, mental clarity, and focus. The Alavida patch is good for sleep and regulating hormones. When hormones are balanced and proper sleep is achieved, BDNF is optimized.
Alavida is a skin and body regenerating system that works through the elevation of the epithalamin peptide.
18. Accelerated Leaky Gut Bundle
The Accelerated Leaky Gut Bundle contains powerful products to help recondition, reinforce and rebuild a healthy gut. A healthy gut is the basis for happy hormone production and is directly correlated with elevated mood. With Leaky Gut, neurotransmitters aren’t produced at the optimal level, leading to depression.
Sara Banta
Sara Banta is a Stanford University Graduate with a Degree in Economics and Psychology, and a certified Natural Supplement Expert & Graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Sara is the Founder of Accelerated Health Products and host of the health & wellness podcast, Accelerated Health Radio.