Neuroinflammation and OCD

So, the last 2 days I have been running an experiment on myself with what food and drinks I consume to see of it would have an effect. I haven't had a single intrusive thought in weeks before this. So I know refined carbs, caffeine and food with E numbers are all neuroinflammatories which makes the neuropathways on your brain harder to use. Making it harder for people with ocd to rationalise. For the last 2 days I drank nothing but carbonated drinks and processed food high in saturated fats and f***, the intrusive thoughts came in like a tsunami and were hard to deal with even with the knowledge I have on how to deal with it. Highly recommend not to do the same experiment. So this can cause high levels of homocysteine. Vit B12 is used to break this down but I didn't have any B12 during this. I also planned to upset my methylation as this is the method on which our gut usually digests stuff and creates hormones. I've been looking into something called the brain-gut dysfunction as it's linked to bowel problems and stress/ depression etc, a of which can make ocd harder to manage. I don't expect you to analyse everything but when you eat, especially junk food or snacks consider what may be healthy for your brain. The healthier your brain is, the better it works.

s_____

Date posted: 1y

This is very helpful thank you! And thank your for risking your mental health for us 🫡

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y

I have had a similar experience. I have experimented with foods that flare up my ocd. Sugar, carbs, gluten, and processed foods just wreak havoc on my intrusive thoughts

Rumpelgoocher

Date posted: 1y

Very interesting. I actually posted something today asking people on here if they had any unrelated conditions to OCD and i’ve noticed a couple mentioned having an iron deficiency. I myself know that I’ve struggled with low iron my whole life and have also had intense anxiety. I wouldn’t be surprised if low iron contributes to OCD.

Wolfram

Date posted: 1y

I'll look into that. I know lack of iron can make you tired and if you're not active enough your mind will naturally find something to do. I don't think your mind cares how awake you are, it think it just cares about the hormones/ neurotransmitters fueling it.

sizzwu

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y

What is food with E numbers?

Wolfram

Date posted: 1y

Basically ingredients created in a lab I think

Wolfram

Date posted: 1y

E numbers are codes for substances that are used as food additives. Some are natural, some artificial. Each of these additives is given its own unique number, making it easier for manufacturers to list which ones are included in foods. I think their are studies based on American foods with it because its really high over there. They weren't good results

sizzwu

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y

@Invalid Thank you!!

Wolfram

Date posted: 1y

Another note, been riddled with unwarranted anxiety since. I think I need to ourdge myself of this crap 😂

sizzwu

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y

What does your diet look like without the caffeine and the carbonated drinks? I would love to have a break from thoughts. For whatever reason when I’m sick my thoughts are practically zero but then once I feel well again, they come right back

Wolfram

Date posted: 1y

Well I'm veg, and still had to adapt my diet further to help myself overcome ocd. I made sure to have tryptophan, vit b6 and B12, vit d and zinc. I did this to help boost my serotonin levels which helps massively against ocd. I'm gonna try have more omega 3 as that's really good for the brain and then, after this experiment I'm going to add food that has anti-neuroinflammertories to help my brain heal. This will all help open up the neuropathway that we struggle to use with ocd (the one that helps us rationalise when stressed)

Wolfram

Date posted: 1y

Lots of water too. I don't drink carbonated drinks, I literally went out my way to do it for this experiment. As for caffeine, I don't miss it as I'm naturally hyper enough

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