My Story

For those of you curious about the health journey that inspired me to start Nevada Brain Health PLLC, here is my story:

   I was introduced to the connection between food and its effect on brain chemistry and mood in 1997 through the work of Dr. Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D., a leading expert on addictive nutrition and founder of Radiant Recovery. At the time, I was searching for information on sugar and its impact on mood as my sister had made the connection between my moodiness and my sugar intake. Through the Radiant Recovery online community, I learned about the wide-ranging effects of blood sugar on the brain and how certain brain chemicals can get off balance with excess sugar consumption. Following her simple diet strategies assisted in reducing my sugar cravings and stabilizing my mood.

   In 2009, after being vegetarian (and at times vegan) for 23 years for environmental/animal rights reasons, I began having concerning health symptoms that did not resolve. I sought care from my primary care doctor and expressed my concerns about possible nutrient deficiencies from a long-standing plant-based diet. He dismissed my concerns after standard bloodwork showed no abnormalities and related my symptoms to stress. By 2012, I was scared and knew my diet had to change to see if symptoms improved. At around this time, I found the work of Dr. Terry Wahls and her diet protocol. My hurdles to following the diet were eliminating gluten and grains and introducing meat into my diet. I noted an immediate improvement with the removal of gluten. Over two years I introduced salmon and beef into my diet. By 2014, I was following Wahls protocol completely,  and symptoms resolved unless I took a break from the diet. Looking back, my initial symptoms were most likely a B12 deficiency, which can masquerade as MS (multiple sclerosis)- like symptoms. I believe I was also just beginning to develop a sensitivity to gluten and grains, which was leading to inflammation in my body. When there is inflammation in the body, there is inflammation in the brain! I share this story with fellow former and current vegetarians to let you know I understand the difficulty between choosing your health over core beliefs that are a part of your identity. I am here to support you and help identify any nutritional imbalances that may be a cause of your health issues and offer support in optimizing your health. 

                                        Integrative Medicine Coursework

Currently in training to be a Certified Walsh Protocol Provider. The Walsh Protocol looks at dietary/nutrient deficiencies to alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms. (scheduled completion 5/2023.

Ketogenic Diets for Anxiety and Depression Clinician Training (11/2022) 

Dr. Georgia Ede, MD

Part 1: Discovering the power of BHRT & Part 2: Expand treatment options (2022) 

Academy of Preventive and Innovative Medicine 

Integrative and Functional Psychiatry Fellowship (12/2021- 01/2023) 

Psychiatry Redefined 

Intermediate Certificate of Obesity Management Fundamentals (07/2022) 

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 

Mold, Mycotoxins and Human Health (12/2021) 

American Academy of Environmental Medicine 

ACT for Beginners (12/2021) 

ACT as a Brief Intervention in Primary Care Settings (3/2022) 

Psychwire

Associations

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 

American Academy of Environmental Medicine 

Obesity Medicine Association