Can we just take a moment to appreciate that we're officially in FALL?
I don't know about you, but there's something about this season that makes me want to reset everything - my routines, my rhythms, even the way I show up for my own health. (Anyone else, or is it just me and my Type-A brain?)
Here's the thing though... most of us are walking around with nervous systems that are still running on summer chaos mode. The kids are back in school, work ramped back up, the calendar is suddenly FULL, and our brains? They're basically trying to coordinate a symphony while also putting out fires.
So I'm continuing this little monthly letter - Brain Gains Gazette - as your permission slip to pause, learn something about how that beautiful brain of yours actually works, and maybe (just maybe) give yourself a break for not having it all together.
Let's dive in.
Your nervous system doesn't care that you bought new planners and set fresh intentions. It's still processing the stress you've been carrying since... well, probably longer than you'd like to admit.
Here's what I'm seeing in the clinic right now:
Over-Aroused Brains
(racing thoughts, trouble sleeping, that "wired and tired" feeling): You're running hot, my friend. Your brain is stuck in Beta frequency (stress mode), and it's like having 47 browser tabs open at once. The fall hustle is NOT your friend right now. What you need? Calming rituals, grounding practices, and honestly... permission to do less.
Under-Aroused Brains
(low energy, brain fog, hard to get motivated): You're moving through molasses right now. Your brain is hanging out in Theta-Alpha range when it needs to be more alert. Morning movement and natural light are your best friends. And no, another cup of coffee isn't the answer. (I know, I know...)
Exhausted Nervous Systems
(feeling numb, emotionally flat, just... done): This is your body's white flag. You've been pushing through for so long that your nervous system has basically said "nope, we're done here." This didn't happen overnight, and it won't heal overnight either. Be gentle with yourself.
Chaotic/Unstable
(bouncing between wired and exhausted, emotional rollercoaster): Your nervous system is doing the cha-cha between over- and under-aroused, and it's EXHAUSTING. Structure and simplicity are going to be your anchors here.
The good news? Your brain is designed to heal. But it needs the right support.
Want to know YOUR brain type?
Stop guessing and get answers. Our Brain-Based Assessment and our Brain-Based Chiropractic Program uses NeuroInfiniti technology to measure and treat exactly how your nervous system is functioning - not what you think is happening, but what's actually happening inside your body.
We also have our virtual Discover Brain-Based Chiropractic Masterclass (recording) for you to learn more. This is your chance to learn how your brain coordinates literally everything in your body and why traditional approaches might be missing the mark. To schedule your brain-based assessment, text or call our office at 817-731-4848.
Wellness Uncorked! - Tomorrow Tuesday, October 7 at 7pm
Join us at Wine Haus Fort Worth for our monthly wellness workshop. This month we're diving into how stress is literally rewiring your brain (and what to do about it). Bring your questions, bring a friend (yes, you can totally bring a friend!), bring your favorite stress symptom - we're talking about all of it. Just make sure to register on our website - payment is required to save your spot. Loved ones are invited to attend. Each person must register.
Text our office at 817-731-4848 if you are interested in joining us! Loved ones are invited to attend.
Murder Mystery Party : Masquerade of Secrets- November 15 2025 @ 7pm @ RHWC
🎭 Join us for an exclusive Masquerade Mystery Party where intrigue awaits around every corner! Slip into your finest masquerade attire and enter an evening filled with thrilling secrets and captivating experiences. Whats included in this enchanting evening: Masquerade Mystique: Dress to impress and mask up for the mystery!
Welcome Wine: Sip, savor, and toast to a night of suspense. Hors d'Oeuvres: Gourmet treats to enjoy as you dive into the mystery. Mystery & Laughter: Prepare for an evening full of fun, surprises, and suspense.
Loved ones are invited to attend. Each person must register.
I'm beyond excited to announce that our first episode drops NEXT MONTH. We're exploring where faith-based wisdom meets neuroscience - because your spiritual life and your brain health aren't separate things. They're beautifully intertwined. Stay tuned via text message for the official launch date! The first episode is entitled: Why You Keep Falling Into the Same Health Patterns (And How God Designed Your Brain to Break Free). I can't wait for you to listen!
Brain-Based Cohorts - Next Round Starts January 2025
If you've been curious about our comprehensive brain-based care, our next cohort kicks off in January. This is where we go deep - brain-based assessments, personalized/root-cause care plans, and a whole community of people who are ready for REAL health transformation. Tired of the same repetitive pain or health patterns showing up in your life? Tired of the frustration of trying everything and getting nowhere. And then there is the overwhelm of not knowing where to even start with your health. This is for the individual who is absolutely done spinning their wheels and ready to finally understand what their body actually needs. Limited spots.
To learn more watch our virtual Discover Brain-Based Chiropractic Masterclass recording here. To schedule your brain-based assessment, text or call our office at 817-731-4848.
Product Spotlight: Core Restore® Liver Detoxification Program
Your liver is working overtime, friend. And when your liver is overwhelmed, your brain pays the price.
Let me explain what I mean by that...
Your liver is literally your body's detox powerhouse - it processes everything from environmental toxins to hormones to the medications you take. But here's what most people don't realize: when your liver gets backed up, those toxins don't just disappear. They recirculate through your bloodstream... and guess where they end up? Your brain.
Think about it - your brain is the most metabolically active organ in your body. It's constantly working, constantly consuming energy, constantly exposed to whatever is floating around in your bloodstream. When toxins build up because your liver can't keep up, your brain literally bathes in them.
That's when you start experiencing:
Brain fog that makes you feel like you're thinking through molasses
Mood swings that seem to come out of nowhere
Anxiety or depression that traditional treatments don't touch
Sleep disturbances (because your liver does most of its detox work at night)
Hormonal imbalances that mess with everything from your energy to your emotions
Chronic fatigue that no amount of sleep fixes
That "wired but tired" feeling that never quite goes away
Your brain and your liver are in constant communication. When one struggles, the other suffers.
This month we're highlighting Core Restore® by Orthomolecular Products - a comprehensive 7- or 14-day program designed to give your liver (and your whole body) the reset it desperately needs.
But wait - what's the difference between a cleanse and a detox?
I get this question all the time, so let's clear it up.
A Cleanse is typically about elimination - cutting out certain foods, drinking special juices, maybe taking laxatives or diuretics. It's focused on getting things OUT quickly. Think juice cleanses, colon cleanses, or those "teatox" trends. They might make you feel lighter temporarily, but they're not actually supporting your body's natural detoxification pathways. Most cleanses are just... well, expensive ways to temporarily empty your digestive system.
A Detox, on the other hand, is about supporting your body's built-in detoxification systems - primarily your liver, kidneys, and digestive tract. True detoxification happens in three phases (Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III), and each phase needs specific nutrients to work properly. A real detox program gives your body the tools it needs to process and eliminate toxins safely and effectively - not just flush things out and hope for the best.
Here's the thing: if you only stimulate Phase I (breaking down toxins) without supporting Phase II (neutralizing them) and Phase III (eliminating them), you can actually make yourself feel WORSE. Those partially broken-down toxins are even more harmful than the original ones.
That's why most cleanses leave you feeling terrible during them and right back where you started a week later.
What makes Core Restore® different?
This isn't a juice cleanse or some trendy detox tea. This is a strategic system that safely supports all three phases of your body's natural detoxification process.
The program includes three active formulas that work together:
Core Support
Provides hypoallergenic protein, fiber, and key nutrients to support Phase II detoxification and Phase III elimination
MitoCORE®
Delivers essential vitamins and minerals your liver needs for the energy-intensive work of detoxification
PhytoCore
A specialized blend of botanicals (milk thistle, artichoke, turmeric, dandelion root) that stimulate Phase I and II liver function
Benefits (according to Orthomolecular Products):
Reduces toxic burden in the body
Supports Phase I and II liver detoxification pathways
Promotes Phase III elimination pathways
Aids in safe removal of environmental pollutants, hormone disruptors, unhealthy estrogen metabolites, and xenoestrogens (synthetic compounds that mimic estrogen)
Increases antioxidant protection and glutathione production (your body's master antioxidant)
Supports healthy estrogen metabolism
Promotes gastrointestinal health
Provides micronutrients, phytonutrients, and easily digested protein
Comes with a patient handbook for easy compliance
How do you know if you need to detox? If you experience the following, you may need to detox:
Fatigue
Chronic Pain
Chronic Headaches
Skin Problems
Digestive Issues
Constipation/Diarrhea
Weight Gain
Moodiness
Decreased focus
Increased brain fog
Available in chocolate or French vanilla flavors. Ask us about incorporating Core Restore® into your wellness plan. Not sure if Core Restore is right for you? Ask Dr. Payne with a new nutritional consultation. Click below or text our office at 817-731-4848.
Ana and I just got back from Colorado, and wow... our nervous systems are still thanking us.
Rocky Mountain National Park. The Durango-Silverton train. Telluride. Ouray. Every single moment was a reminder that our bodies literally NEED this - not as a luxury, but as medicine. We are so grateful.
Here's what I noticed: When we're in nature, our brains downshift. The racing thoughts quiet just a bit. The constant mental checklist fades into the background. Our nervous systems remember what it feels like to just... be.
We take these moments intentionally - to reset, to reconnect with nature, and honestly, to reconnect with ourselves. It's so easy to get lost in the hustle of clinic life, patient care, and business building. But these pauses? They're not optional. They're strategic.
And here's the honest truth - it took me YEARS to give myself permission for this kind of rest. I used to think taking time off meant I was being lazy or irresponsible. (High-achiever problems, am I right?)
But now I know better. My brain can't do the work I'm asking it to do if I never let it recover. Your brain can't either.
So this is me, giving you permission: Rest isn't optional. It's strategic.
# sassy # cute # Colorado #grateful
Before I Go...
I know your plate is full. I know you're juggling a million things. I know you probably put yourself last on the list most days.
But here's what I also know: Your brain is trying to keep up with demands it was never designed to handle 24/7. And the longer you ignore the signals (the fatigue, the brain fog, the pain, the overwhelm), the louder they're going to get.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
That's literally why I do what I do - because I've been the burned-out, exhausted, high-achieving person who thought "pushing through" was the only option. And I found a better way.
If anything in this newsletter resonated with you, I'd love to chat. Book a consultation, come to Wellness Uncorked! on Tuesday, or just text me at 817-731-4848, and tell me what's going on. I'm here for it all…and for you.
Your brain is worth the investment. And so are you.
Here's to gaining more fulfillment in our lives,
Dr. Athena Payne
P.S. - Curious about what the brain-based chiropractic program is like? Come find out at Wellness Uncorked! this Tuesday. Wine, wellness, and real talk about what's actually going on in that beautiful head of yours. Register on our website to save your spot - and yes, bring a friend! See you there! -Dr. Payne
Rejuvenate Health & Wellness Center | Fort Worth, TXwww.rhwcenter.com | 817-731-4848