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Six Ways To Solve PMS Naturally

Six Ways To Solve PMS Naturally

by | Jun 18, 2015 | Exercise, Herbs, Irritability, Nutrition, PMS, Self-care, Supplements, Uncategorized |

Teray Garchitorena Kunishi, ND

Dr. Teray offers natural and integrative programs for healing anxiety & depression, chronic fatigue, and digestive conditions. She is a licensed naturopathic doctor, wellness coach, author, and creator of the Deeply Happy Expert Series. She serves clients globally via phone and video consultation.
Get in touch at http://www.deeplyhappy.com/contact/

Latest posts by Teray Garchitorena Kunishi, ND (see all)

Many of my patients suffer from fatigue, depression, anxiety, and irritability, which gets worse just before their monthly period. Conventional medicine typically treats premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in one of two ways: Birth control pills or antidepressants. But many women do not want to be on pills or medication. What’s the alternative? Here’s my perspective on PMS: It’s important to alleviate suffering as much as possible, without losing the wisdom that it can provide. Let’s start with wisdom by way of biology. In the earlier half of your cycle, your hormonal activity is designed to maximize your chances of being pregnant. Hormones flow abundantly, and testosterone is at a relative high. As a result, many women feel more energized, attractive, and aroused during this time. I like to think of this as a “hormonal buffer”, which allows you to tolerate things that bother you, in favor of the deeply ingrained biological imperative to make babies. In other words, if the paelolithic equivalent of dirty socks on the floor caused your cavewoman ancestor to have a meltdown while she was ovulating, you may not be here reading this today. Makes sense so far? Now let’s look at the second half of the cycle, where there is a possibility that a sperm and egg have now combined. It becomes biologically important for the female to become protective and wary of unwanted circumstances. The hormonal buffer is no longer running high. Things that you don’t like become painfully obvious, and you react – sometimes in a way that you regret. Here’s the important part: The things that bother you just before your period...

When Medicating Depression is Not the Answer

by | Apr 18, 2015 | Depression, Medication, Supplements, Uncategorized |

Teray Garchitorena Kunishi, ND

Dr. Teray offers natural and integrative programs for healing anxiety & depression, chronic fatigue, and digestive conditions. She is a licensed naturopathic doctor, wellness coach, author, and creator of the Deeply Happy Expert Series. She serves clients globally via phone and video consultation.
Get in touch at http://www.deeplyhappy.com/contact/

Latest posts by Teray Garchitorena Kunishi, ND (see all)

There’s a dangerous standard in mainstream medicine. One that treats illness like an external enemy to be eradicated at all costs, instead of an internally generated signal regarding important inner workings gone awry. Nowhere is this trend more disturbing than in psychiatry. In a commendable effort to remove the stigma from depression, there is a move to frame depression as a disease. According to the disease framework, depression has nothing to do with the individual, and how they live their life. Depression is given the role of a villain, and the patient the victim. The hero, of course, is the prescribed medication and treatment. But the worst part about the disease framework for depression is that it implies that only happy states are good and healthy. I disagree wholeheartedly. For me, depression was a painful, terrifying, yet crucial experience that ultimately led to understanding myself better than I ever had. Without going through depression, I would not be as clear about my purpose and as committed to living my truth. The key phrase here is “going through.” Not “getting rid of” or “treating” or even “curing.” It was only by surrendering to the process that I got the lesson I had already paid for in the form of pain and suffering. If I had taken an antidepressant and it helped me feel less terrible, I’m not sure that I would have experienced the transformation that I did. It was the agony, and the belief that I had something to learn from it, that pushed me to go deeper. But our culture is obsessed with painlessness. You see this in...

Taking Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids? They Could Be Putting You at Risk.

by | Feb 28, 2015 | Alzheimer's, Anxiety, Dementia, Insomnia, Medication, Panic, Sleep, Supplements, Uncategorized |

Teray Garchitorena Kunishi, ND

Dr. Teray offers natural and integrative programs for healing anxiety & depression, chronic fatigue, and digestive conditions. She is a licensed naturopathic doctor, wellness coach, author, and creator of the Deeply Happy Expert Series. She serves clients globally via phone and video consultation.
Get in touch at http://www.deeplyhappy.com/contact/

Latest posts by Teray Garchitorena Kunishi, ND (see all)

If you’ve used an over the counter sleep aid in the last year, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans use brands like Zzzquil or  Simply Sleep. These medications contain the active ingredients diphenhydramine HCL, and according to the latest in a string of studies, those who use them may be at a greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Why? These medications suppress the activity of a part of the brain called the cholinergic system. The cholinergic system keeps synapses firing, triggering alertness, memory and muscle tone. This is why a common side effect of diphenhydramine HLC (also the active ingredient in Benadryl) is drowsiness. The problem is, it’s precisely the cholinergic system that seems to be in decline with dementia – and this is why Alzheimer’s drugs are called “pro-cholinergics.” Because of the latest data, researchers are now warning against the prolonged use of these seemingly-safe medications. Even occasional use, over time, may have a cumulative effect. Thankfully, there are many natural remedies that support restful sleep, without suppressing this valuable part of the nervous system. Here are five sleep-supportive supplements that I use regularly with my patients: Melatonin – This is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, in response to darkness. It helps you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and also appears to have antioxidant qualities. It is an essential part of your circadian (day/night) rhythm and is great for jet lag. Pro tip: Exposure to light suppresses melatonin. Turn down overhead lights, and stop looking at computer or phone screens, at least 2 hours before you want to fall asleep. L-Theanine – An amino acid found in green tea,...