Amino Acid Therapy for Anxiety, Depression & Cravings: How to Feed Your Brain with Laurie Hammer

Amino acid therapy for anxiety, depression, cravings and focus starts with the building blocks. Your brain makes serotonin from tryptophan and dopamine from tyrosine, and research on tryptophan depletion shows that lowering this one amino acid can drop mood, especially in people with a history of depression.  Laurie Hammer, Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and founder of Mind Thrive Academy, joins Freddie Kimmel to explain how targeted amino acid therapy feeds the neurotransmitters behind mood, sleep and stress resilience. Laurie found amino acids in 1996, after twelve years of bulimia, depression and anxiety, and calls them the foundation of her recovery. She walks through her virtual intake and the under-the-tongue test she uses to see how someone responds, then assesses Freddie live on air.  In this episode: - Essential amino blends vs. peptides vs. targeted amino acid therapy - The five categories Laurie assesses: endorphins, serotonin, catecholamines, GABA and glucose regulation - Why she plans on 3 to 6 months of therapeutic use, then tapers - GLP-1s, cravings, cost, and who should be cautious Connect with Laurie Hammer: Website: https://lauriehammer.com Take Back My Brain Podcast Instagram + Facebook: @takebackmybrain Book mentioned: The Mood Cure by Julia Ross Episode Highlights  0:00 — Welcome Laurie Hammer 3:37 — Laurie's take on mood medications 6:16 — What is amino acid therapy? 7:06 — Freddie's pre-show amino acid snack 9:45 — Can you get therapeutic doses from food? 10:43 — "Is there a model for this in nature?" 12:11 — Laurie's story: bulimia, depression and a GNC article 17:18 — Leaving nursing school for prevention 18:35 — How a virtual consult works 20:18 — Essential amino blends vs. targeted therapy 23:14 — The five neurotransmitter categories 24:59 — Lithium orotate 27:13 — Live assessment: Freddie's profile 30:47 — How long do you take them? 34:38 — Cost: aminos vs. IVs and supplements 35:51 — GLP-1s and coming off them 38:55 — GLP-1s and bone density 41:25 — What it costs to work with Laurie 43:18 — Amino acids and addiction 45:53 — Youth antidepressant use since the pandemic 46:38 — The equalizer in your brain stereo 49:21 — Book recommendation: The Mood Cure 50:00 — Who amino acid therapy isn't for 55:12 — Your body is designed to heal Upgrade Your Health: Lightpath LED Red Light Therapy — Full-body and targeted red light therapy designed to support recovery, cellular energy, circulation, and everyday wellness. Use code BEAUTIFULLYBROKEN for a discount on all products. https://lddy.no/1q7b9 AuraWell PEMF + MagnaWave — Explore FDA-cleared AuraWell PEMF technology for at-home recovery, along with MagnaWave systems used by practitioners for performance and wellness applications. Learn what device is right for you and Book A Call. https://calendly.com/freddiekimmel/aurawellpemf Silver Biotics Wound Healing Gel — A water-based silver hydrogel wound dressing designed for moist wound care and protection of minor cuts, abrasions, lacerations, skin irritations, and first- and second-degree burns. Use code BEAUTIFULLYBROKEN for 30% off. https://bit.ly/3JnxyDD MaxGen Labs — At-home genetic testing that analyzes more than 200 genetic variations across areas including methylation, folate and B12 pathways, detoxification, hormone metabolism, sleep, energy, focus, and nutrition. This is the report I personally used to optimize my lifestyle and supplements for better health outcomes. https://maxgenlabs.com/BEAUTIFULLYBROKEN For education only, not medical advice. Don't start, stop or taper any medication without your prescriber. If you're struggling with an eating disorder or thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 (US).   CONNECT WITH FREDDIE The Biological Blueprint Website and Store Instagram YouTube Book A Call Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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