 “Mary Poppins Goes To the Beach” -Made by combining pieces from 3 collages in my Impermanent Art Series. By Courtney Snyder, MD
Half of my work day is spent honing in on details. For each person I evaluate and treat, I’m considering multiple symptoms, lab data, contributing factors, and treatment interventions. Left unchecked, this amount of detail hurts my brain - figuratively and literally. This type of work might be considered “left brain“ and appealing to someone who is “undermethylated,” which I am. The other half of my work day is involved with addressing how, from a spiritual perspective, we:
By spiritual, I mean our inner life. My writing and teaching about the intersection between neuroplasticity and spirituality is essentially about how we exercise those parts of the brain that relate to that inner work. Instead of honing in on details, this is about pulling back and looking at the bigger picture of our lives and our humanity. This right brain work feels good.
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Lunch with Dr. William Walsh - His Story, Discoveries & the Future of Nutrient-Based Psychiatry7/1/2016 
Courtney Snyder, MD
I first met Dr. Walsh in the fall of 2014, at his second physician training course here in the US. At the time, I was uncertain how useful nutrients would be in my psychiatric practice. What I learned seemed too good to be true. Upon returning home, I gradually began evaluating and treating specific nutrient imbalances in adults and children with depression, ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, autism and other conditions. To my repeated surprise, most patients - children and adults alike improved… significantly - some dramatically, including those whose symptoms had failed to respond to other treatments. 
Courtney Snyder, MD
We’re not necessarily the same animal we once were. And, in many respects, especially when it comes to food, we’re increasingly different from one another. Describing a particular food (or nutrient) as “good” for you, depends on who “you” are. Due to our varied experiences, exposures (ie. to antibiotics, toxins, etc.) and genetics, we’re not all the same. The latest superfood may benefit some, but it may make others ill. Our complicated relationship with food can’t be discussed without considering inflammation, oxidative stress and epigenetics - the three exploding areas of medical research. 
By Courtney Snyder, MD
Historically we've considered mental health and illness as coming from either one's life experiences or coming from one's genetics or biology. We've mistakenly considered the the brain separate from the rest of the body. We are more interconnected than those outdated views suggest. Our physical health impacts our brain health. Likewise, we experience emotions (fear, anger, sadness, and joy) not only in our brains, but in our bodies. Emotions influence our brain's biochemistry, and our biochemistry impacts our emotions, bodies and how we experience our lives. PYRROLE DISORDER A perfect example of this is Pyrrole Disorder - an inborn error of pyrrole chemistry. Those who are affected make an excessive amount of this metabolite. Pyrroles themselves are not a problem and do not cause disease. We all have them. They do however, bind Vitamin B6 and Zinc. When pyrroles leave the body (through urine), they take some B6 and zinc with them. This is not a problem either. The problem comes when pyrroles are being overproduced for genetic reasons or because of physical or emotional stress. This can lead to severe B6 and zinc deficiencies. 
Courtney Snyder, MD
Before I delve at length into the amazing process of methylation and its impact on personality and mental health, I'll lay some groundwork. For those who don't need or want such background, I've tried to make it easy for you to hit the highlights or jump ahead to your own starting point. 
Courtney Snyder, MD
Psychiatric medications are a good thing ...for a lot of people....at least at this time in the history of medicine. They save lives and alleviate suffering and pain.  Courtney Snyder, MD
Who knew...copper, the essential trace element important in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, respiration, immune function, energy metabolism and growth, could wreak so much havoc on the mind and body? I never gave much thought to copper until it presented itself to me in the most delightful way...a dream of a copper tiled ceiling - the most memorable dream I've had. Copper ... "associated with the goddess Aphrodite/Venus in mythology and alchemy, ...symbolic of love, balance, feminine beauty and artistic creativity." So taken with this dream, I painted a mantel copper. We eventually moved and left that copper mantel and dream behind. Ten years later copper resurfaced at the Walsh Research Institute where Dr. William Walsh was teaching about copper overload - one of the most
Courtney Snyder, MD
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ― Lao Tzu I don't recall that step...maybe it was when I first asked for help for my daughter.... or maybe, when I decided to stop asking - when I realized that conventional medicine did not have the answers for us. Either way, my experience into illness and healing forced me to let go of many assumptions and expectations I had about the world, about life and about myself. My hope in starting this blog is to share what I've learned so someone else won't have to search as I have these past ten years. Though at times frustrating - the seeming snail's pace of such a pursuit - there are many who will never look beyond what is in front of them, many who will never cross paths with those who might point them in unexpected directions and many who when given leads, will never pursue them. If you are reading this, perhaps you too are a seeker. |
Courtney Snyder, MDI'm a conventionally trained child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist. My current approach to health is both holistic (pertaining to the whole person) and functional (addressing the root causes of illness). I write this blog to share what I've learned. Categories
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