Alleviant Integrated Mental Health Blog

Jessica Ellis Jessica Ellis

Marijuana and the Brain — What You’re Not Being Told

We live in a time when marijuana is celebrated as a cure-all — a “natural” solution for everything from anxiety to pain. It’s legal in many states, promoted as medicine, and used by millions of adults and teens alike.

But legal doesn’t always mean safe. And popular doesn’t mean harmless.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP

Vaping and the Brain — What You’re Really Inhaling

Let’s be honest: vaping seems more convenient, more discreet, and maybe even safer than smoking. That’s part of the reason it’s exploded in popularity — especially among teens and young adults.

But here’s the truth: vaping is not safe for your brain. In some ways, it may be more harmful than smoking.

At Alleviant, we’re not here to shame or judge. We understand that peer pressure, curiosity, and stress all influence our decisions. Our goal is to simply educate, so that you can make better-informed choices about what you put into your body — and how it might be affecting your mental health and brain function.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP

Alcohol and the Brain — Short and Long-Term Impacts

We’re not here to judge. At Alleviant, we understand that ease of access, cultural norms, and emotional pain all influence our decisions — including whether or not we drink.

But while alcohol is widely accepted in our society, its effects on the brain are often underestimated — or misunderstood.

Our goal is simple: to educate you with clear, research-based facts so you can make informed, empowered decisions for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP

Toxic World, Tired Brain: How Environmental Toxins Affect Mental Clarity

We live in a world where chemicals are everywhere — in the food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the products we use daily. Over time, these environmental toxins build up in our bodies and disrupt our brain’s ability to function at its best.

 At Alleviant, we often see patients with brain fog, irritability, anxiety, and fatigue that don’t fully resolve with therapy or medication — until we address the toxic burden.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP

10 Plant-Based Nutritional Deficiencies That Impact Mental Health — And How to Fix Them

At Alleviant, we treat the whole person — brain, body, and spirit. But without proper nutrition, even the best therapy or medication may fall short. The brain requires precise nutrients to regulate mood, improve cognition, and manage stress. 

Unfortunately, many people today are unknowingly deficient in nutrients that directly affect mental health — even those eating what they believe is a healthy diet. 

The good news? With the right plant-based foods and supplements, you can restore what your brain has been missing and begin to feel significantly better. 

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP

TMS Therapy Explained — How Magnetic Pulses Help Heal the Brain

If you or someone you love is struggling with depression or OCD — and medication hasn’t worked — you may feel like you’re running out of options. 

You’re not. 

There’s a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that’s helping thousands of people experience lasting relief — without medication side effects. 

It’s called TMS — Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation — and at Alleviant, we take it one step further with our personalized version called NeuroSync.

Let’s break down how it works — and why it may be the right next step for you. 

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP

Why ADHD Is Often Misdiagnosed — and What You Can Do About It

Struggling to focus? Feeling disorganized, restless, or distracted? You might assume it’s ADHD. But those same symptoms are also caused by anxiety or trauma, poor sleep, nutritional deficiencies, technology overuse, or inflammatory foods. That’s why, at Alleviant, we never rush to label someone with ADHD. Instead, we use spectral EEG (sEEG) to look at the brain’s real-time activity and determine what’s actually going on — whether it’s ADHD or something else entirely. 

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP

What Depression Feels Like — And What You Can Do About It

Depression is often misunderstood. 

It’s not just sadness. It’s not just “feeling down.” And it’s definitely not something you can snap out of with a positive attitude or a weekend getaway. 

For many people, depression feels like a fog that never lifts — or a weight that makes everything harder than it should be. It’s waking up tired, feeling disconnected from yourself and others, and wondering if things will ever change. 

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to stay stuck. 

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP

Overstimulated: How Screens and Sugar Hijack the ADHD Brain

If your child (or you) are struggling with focus, impulsivity, irritability, or poor emotional regulation — ADHD may be the first thing that comes to mind. But in today’s world, these symptoms are just as likely to be the result of an overstimulated brain.

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Jessica Ellis Jessica Ellis

Mindfulness Techniques to Improve Focus & Reduce Stress

In today’s fast-paced world, distractions and stressors are everywhere. Whether it’s work deadlines, personal responsibilities, or the constant buzz of technology, maintaining focus and managing stress can be challenging.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP

Understanding NeuroSync™: Personalized Brain Stimulation for a New Era of Psychiatry

Imagine if your brain had a control panel — one that allowed us to see how it’s really performing, where it’s out of sync, and what it needs to function at its best.  That’s what spectral EEG (sEEG) provides — a non-invasive, 4-minute brain scan that shows us your brain’s electrical activity across all regions. 

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Jessica Ellis Jessica Ellis

Spring Cleaning for Your Mind: Letting Go of Stress & Anxiety

Spring is a season of renewal, a time when we declutter our homes, refresh our surroundings, and embrace a fresh start. But what about our minds? Just as we clean our physical spaces, it’s just as important to clear mental clutter and make room for positivity, focus, and well-being.

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Jessica Ellis Jessica Ellis

Growing Wellness: How Gardening in Arkansas Supports Mental Health

As the seasons change in Arkansas, the outdoors comes alive with vibrant colors, fresh air, and the perfect conditions for gardening. Whether you’re tending a small herb garden, growing vegetables, or cultivating a flower bed, gardening offers more than just beauty—it’s a powerful tool for mental health and well-being.

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Jessica Ellis Jessica Ellis

A Fresh Start: Embracing Mental Wellness on the First Day of Spring

As the first day of spring arrives, the world around us begins to transform. The days grow longer, the air feels lighter, and nature awakens with vibrant colors and new life. Just as the earth renews itself, spring offers us a chance for renewal—especially when it comes to our mental health.

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