Alleviant Integrated Mental Health Blog

Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

How Nutrition and Deficiencies Impact Brain Function

Your brain can’t thrive on empty.

Every organ in your body requires fuel — and your brain is no exception. In fact, your brain uses more energy than any other part of your body. When it doesn’t get the nutrients it needs, it doesn’t just slow down — it begins to misfire.

Many symptoms that are diagnosed as depression, anxiety, or even ADHD may actually stem from nutritional imbalances, deficiencies, or toxicities (Rao et al., 2008). But these often go overlooked in traditional psychiatry.

At Alleviant, we ask different questions — because we know that brain function and nutrition are deeply connected.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

How Objective Psychiatry Is Transforming Mental Healthcare

Finally — mental health care that sees your brain, not just your symptoms.

If you’ve ever felt like traditional psychiatry wasn’t enough… you’re not alone.

Many people walk into their first appointment, share their story, and walk out with a prescription — often with no real understanding of what’s happening inside their brain or how to know if they’re getting better. That’s not healthcare. That’s guessing.

At Alleviant, we believe you deserve more than symptom checklists and trial-and-error treatment. You deserve clarity, precision, and a care plan based on what’s actually happening in your brain.

That’s the heart of Objective Psychiatry — and it’s changing everything.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Recognizing the Hidden Signs of Mental Health Struggles

If you’re quietly struggling — we see you. Not every mental health battle looks the same. Some people cry, some go quiet. Some isolate, while others keep smiling through the pain. You may not even realize you’re struggling — until the weight of “holding it all together” becomes too much to bear.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to shine a light on the people who don’t fit the typical image of depression or anxiety — those who appear “fine” on the outside, but inside are running on empty.

Maybe that’s someone you love. Maybe it’s you.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Postpartum Depression: Breaking the Silence and Finding Help

Welcoming a baby is supposed to be joyful — at least, that’s what most people expect. But for many women, the weeks and months after giving birth are filled not with joy, but with exhaustion, anxiety, numbness, and overwhelming sadness.

This isn’t just “baby blues.” It’s postpartum depression — a real, serious, and treatable condition that affects 1 in 7 mothers¹.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Mental Health in Men: Redefining Strength and Vulnerability

For generations, men have been taught to be tough — to suppress emotion, “man up,” and push through pain. Vulnerability was seen as weakness, and asking for help was something many men were never taught how to do.

But the truth is, silence can be deadly. Men are significantly less likely than women to seek mental health care, yet they are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide¹.

We need a new definition of masculinity — one that includes emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and a willingness to heal.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Recognizing the Hidden Signs of Mental Health Struggles

Not every mental health battle looks the same. Some people cry, some go quiet. Some isolate, while others keep smiling through the pain. You may not even realize you’re struggling — until the weight of “holding it all together” becomes too much to bear.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to shine a light on the people who don’t fit the typical image of depression or anxiety — those who appear “fine” on the outside, but inside are running on empty.

Maybe that’s someone you love. Maybe it’s you.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

What Is Mental Health Awareness Month — and Why It Matters

Every May, we pause to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month — not just as a calendar event, but as a national movement to elevate the conversation around mental wellness.

This month is about more than facts and statistics. It’s about real people — individuals, families, communities — facing struggles that aren’t always visible. It’s a reminder that behind every smile, there may be a silent battle. And behind every breakthrough, a story of courage.

At Alleviant, we believe that awareness is the beginning — but action, empathy, and innovation are what truly create change.

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Jessica Ellis Jessica Ellis

Breaking the Stigma: Why Talking About Mental Health Matters

In a world where we talk freely about everything from our favorite recipes to fitness routines, mental health often remains the elephant in the room. Millions face mental health challenges every year, yet stigma continues to silence far too many.

It’s time to break the silence. Change begins with a conversation.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Acupressure and Acupuncture: Ancient Healing for Modern Mental Health

In our fast-paced modern world, ancient healing techniques are finding new relevance—especially when it comes to mental health. Acupressure and acupuncture, pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offer powerful, natural ways to restore balance, reduce stress, and support emotional and physical healing.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we believe in combining the best of traditional and modern medicine to help patients heal at the root cause level. Acupressure and acupuncture are part of our holistic toolbox for optimizing brain and body health—gently encouraging the body’s own healing intelligence.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Medication Management: Understanding How Psychiatric Medications Work—and Why Healing the Brain Itself Is Essential

Psychiatric medications can play a vital role in restoring mental health. For many individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, or bipolar disorder, medications can offer much-needed relief. However, what’s less commonly understood is how these medications work at the cellular level—and why they sometimes seem to stop working over time.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we believe that objective, brain-based care is critical to lasting healing. Understanding medication mechanisms, limitations, and the importance of actually rehabilitating the brain (not just medicating symptoms) is central to our approach.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Geriatric Mental Health: Addressing Depression, Anxiety, Loneliness, and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults

Aging is a natural part of life—but the mental health challenges that often accompany aging are not inevitable. Depression, anxiety, loneliness, dementia, and cognitive decline are common struggles among older adults, yet they are frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we recognize that the brain and body change with age, and mental health care must adapt accordingly. Through Objective Psychiatry, spectral EEG (sEEG) brain mapping, personalized NeuroSync™ plans, and integrative care models, we offer hope, healing, and renewed vitality to seniors facing these challenges.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Understanding ADHD: A Brain-Based Perspective on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Hope for Healing

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders in children—and increasingly recognized in adults. It affects not just attention and focus but emotional regulation, executive function, and overall quality of life. At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we approach ADHD differently—through a brain-first model that seeks to uncover the root causes rather than simply managing symptoms.

This blog explores ADHD’s underlying mechanisms, the impact of lifestyle and environment, common treatments, and how Objective Psychiatry (including spectral EEG or sEEG) offers a revolutionary path forward.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Understanding Depression: More Than Just a Chemical Imbalance

Depression is one of the most widespread and misunderstood conditions in the world. Affecting over 280 million people globally, it is far more than just sadness or a passing mood. Depression is a real, measurable condition rooted in both brain physiology and whole-body health.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Healing Through Movement: How Yoga and Stretching Release Trauma and Emotions

Trauma doesn’t just live in the mind — it’s stored in the body. If you’ve experienced emotional pain, stress, or trauma, your nervous system remembers. It may show up as tension, restlessness, fatigue, or emotional numbness.

Yoga and stretching offer a safe and accessible way to begin releasing those held experiences — helping your body regulate and your mind find clarity. But this isn’t about clearing your mind. It’s about focusing your mind on truth, peace, and healing.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Meditation and Mental Health: A Natural Upgrade for Your Brain

Meditation isn’t about emptying your mind—it’s about training it.

At Alleviant, we see meditation not as a passing trend, but as a clinically validated method to calm the nervous system, regulate emotions, and restructure the brain itself.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Migraines and Mental Health: Treating the Root, Not Just the Pain

Migraines aren’t just headaches—they are neurological storms that can disrupt every part of life. Whether you’re sidelined by pain once a month or suffering chronically, the key to lasting relief is to understand what’s actually happening inside the brain.

At Alleviant, we treat migraines not as a surface symptom, but as a signal of deeper dysfunction. Using non-invasive brain mapping and natural therapies, we help restore balance and empower long-term healing.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Nicotine and the Brain — What You Need to Know

We’re not here to judge your choices — just to inform them.

At Alleviant, we understand that life is complex. Peer pressure, emotional stress, and ease of access all influence the things we put into our bodies — from what we eat and drink to what we inhale and consume.

But everything we take in affects us internally — especially our brains.

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Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

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-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

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-BC Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

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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