Okay, but have you ever been holding your phone and asking yourself where your phone is at the same time?? Or heard someone who is pregnant say, “I’m sorry, ever since I’ve been pregnant, I can’t focus on most things”! Maybe you’re actually the one experiencing this! If you’ve had babies, you know exactly what we’re talking about! You might feel like your once-sharp mind has been replaced by a foggy, unreliable version of yourself. The frustration can be overwhelming. Especially when well-meaning friends, family members, or even healthcare providers dismiss your concerns with phrases like “it’s just hormones” or “all pregnant women go through this.” 

But here’s the truth that many don’t want to acknowledge: pregnancy brain is absolutely real, and you’re not imagining it. It actually has a MAJOR purpose when creating a baby! Let’s go through the science and see how you can best be supported during the most exciting and transformative time.

According to a recent study, 82% of pregnant women reported experiencing some form of cognitive changes during pregnancy. These aren’t minor inconveniences. They’re measurable, documented changes in brain structure and function that can significantly impact daily life, work performance, and overall well-being.

What if we told you that pregnancy brain isn’t just something you have to endure? What if these cognitive changes are actually your nervous system’s way of signaling that it needs support during one of the most neurologically demanding experiences of your life? And most importantly, what if there were natural ways to optimize your brain function during pregnancy that could benefit both you and your developing baby?

What is Pregnancy Brain?

Pregnancy brain, also known as “momnesia,” is a legitimate neurological phenomenon. It’s characterized by measurable changes in brain structure, function, and cognitive performance during pregnancy and the postpartum period. These changes are not simply “all in your head”. They can be observed through advanced brain imaging and neurological testing, demonstrating that what you’re experiencing has a real biological basis.

The most commonly reported signs of pregnancy brain include:

• Memory lapses and forgetfulness (forgetting appointments, names, or daily tasks)
• Difficulty concentrating or maintaining focus for extended periods
• Word-finding difficulties or feeling like words are “on the tip of your tongue”
• Mental fog or feeling like you’re thinking through a cloud
• Challenges with multitasking or executive function
• Increased absent-mindedness in daily activities
• Difficulty retaining new information or learning new skills

Research has shown that these cognitive changes aren’t just subjective experiences. They correspond to actual structural and functional alterations in the brain. Studies using MRI technology have documented decreases in gray matter volume in specific brain regions, changes in neural connectivity patterns, and alterations in how different brain networks communicate with each other.

What makes pregnancy brain particularly significant from a neurological perspective is that these changes reflect your nervous system’s remarkable ability to adapt and reorganize itself. Rather than viewing these signs as a problem, we can understand them as signals that your nervous system is undergoing a profound transformation… One that, with proper support, can be optimized for both your well-being and your baby’s healthy development.

The Science Behind Pregnancy Brain

The scientific evidence supporting pregnancy brain is both robust and fascinating. A groundbreaking study published in Nature Neuroscience followed women through pregnancy and found significant reductions in gray matter volume that persisted for at least two years postpartum. These changes weren’t random; they occurred specifically in brain regions associated with social cognition. Suggesting that the brain is literally rewiring itself to enhance maternal bonding and caregiving abilities.

Additional research has revealed that pregnancy triggers changes in the brain’s functional network. The neural circuit that’s active when our minds are at rest. Studies using functional MRI scans have also documented changes in the hippocampus (crucial for memory formation), and the prefrontal cortex (responsible for executive function and decision-making). Providing clear biological explanations for the cognitive signs women experience.

However, here’s where conventional medicine often falls short. Most healthcare providers, when presented with pregnancy brain concerns, offer variations of the same response. “It’s just hormones, it’s temporary, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” OR it may be the complete opposite, and they start talking about stimulants and other medications that could help. Instead of realizing and acknowledging that this is an innate and beautiful transition used to protect your baby. So, yes, while hormonal fluctuations certainly play a role and you may be craving the tiniest bit of caffeine, most providers’ explanations are incomplete and often leave us women feeling dismissed and unsupported.

What’s particularly concerning is the individual variation in pregnancy brain severity. While many pregnant women experience some cognitive changes, the intensity and duration of signs can vary dramatically from one woman to another. Some women report minor forgetfulness, while others struggle with significant impairment that affects their work performance, relationships, and daily functioning. This variation suggests that underlying nervous system health and resilience may play a crucial role in how well a woman adapts to the neurological demands of pregnancy.

A big missing link in conventional approaches is the failure to address the nervous system’s role in these cognitive changes. Rather than simply accepting pregnancy brain as an inevitable consequence of hormonal shifts, we can take a proactive approach to support and optimize nervous system function during this critical period of neurological transformation.

Understanding Pregnancy Brain Through a Nervous System Lens

While hormonal changes during pregnancy are undeniable, the complete picture of pregnancy brain requires us to look deeper into how these hormonal shifts affect the most crucial system in your body… your nervous system. The dramatic 30 to 70-fold surges in estrogen and progesterone don’t just influence mood and physical changes. They fundamentally alter how your brain processes information, responds to stress, and regulates essential functions like sleep, digestion, and emotional balance.

To understand this connection, we need to explore the Autonomic Nervous System. It controls all the involuntary functions that keep you alive and thriving. This system has two main branches: the Sympathetic Nervous System (your “gas pedal”), responsible for the fight-or-flight response. And the Parasympathetic Nervous System (your “brake pedal”) that promotes rest, digestion, and healing. During pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations can create an imbalance between these two systems, leading to a condition called dysautonomia.

When dysautonomia occurs during pregnancy, you might find yourself stuck in sympathetic dominance. Essentially living with your “gas pedal” pressed down while your “brake pedal” becomes less responsive. This neurological imbalance creates signs that many pregnant women experience:

• Difficulty concentrating due to heightened stress response
• Memory problems as the brain prioritizes immediate survival over information storage
• Sleep disruption affecting the brain’s ability to consolidate memories and clear metabolic waste
• Digestive issues that impact nutrient absorption needed for optimal brain function
• Increased anxiety and emotional reactivity affecting decision-making abilities

The vagus nerve, often called the “wandering nerve,” plays a particularly crucial role in pregnancy brain. This longest cranial nerve, connects your brain to vital organs throughout your body and serves as the primary pathway for parasympathetic nervous system function. During pregnancy, the vagus nerve adapts to regulate inflammation via the cholinergic pathway. It then affects organ function and hormone production related to metabolism.

However, when this nerve becomes dysfunctional due to stress, trauma, or other factors, it can contribute to the cognitive signs we associate with pregnancy brain.

Understanding pregnancy brain through this neurological lens reveals why simply waiting for hormones to “balance out” isn’t always sufficient. When the nervous system is dysregulated, even optimal hormone levels may not restore full cognitive function. This is why addressing the root cause, nervous system dysregulation, can be far more effective than simply managing the signs or accepting cognitive impairment as inevitable.

The Perfect Storm: Why Some Women Experience More Severe Pregnancy Brain

We often refer to the combination of factors that can intensify pregnancy brain as “The Perfect Storm.” This concept describes how a series of stressors and challenges, often beginning well before conception, can accumulate and interact to overwhelm your nervous system’s ability to adapt to the neurological demands of pregnancy.

Many women enter pregnancy with their nervous systems already compromised by modern life stressors. Preconception factors that can reduce nervous system resilience include:

• Inability to adapt to chronic work stress or high-pressure lifestyle
• Previous physical trauma or injuries affecting the neurospinal system
• Poor sleep patterns and inadequate recovery time
• Nutritional deficiencies that impact brain and nervous system regulation
• Exposure to environmental toxins and chemicals
• History of emotional trauma or prolonged anxiety

During pregnancy, additional stressors compound these existing challenges. The modern approach to pregnancy often creates more anxiety than support. Frequent medical appointments, multiple screening tests, and a culture of fear around potential complications. 

Physical changes like sleep disruption from growing belly size, hormonal fluctuations, and increased metabolic demands place additional stress on an already taxed nervous system.

When these factors combine, they create an effect that can significantly worsen pregnancy brain signs. Understanding this “Perfect Storm” is crucial because it reveals that pregnancy brain severity isn’t predetermined by genetics or inevitable due to hormones. 

Instead, it reflects the cumulative impact of stressors on your nervous system. This means there are opportunities for intervention and improvement through targeted support that addresses the root cause of nervous system dysfunction.

Natural Solutions for Your Brain During Pregnancy

The encouraging news is that pregnancy brain doesn’t have to be something looked down on. Your body is smart, and pregnancy brain is helping protect and grow your beautiful baby! It’s something that, instead of working on “getting rid of”, your nervous system needs to be supported! When we address the underlying nervous system dysfunction contributing to worse cognitive signs, many women experience significant improvements in mental clarity, focus, and overall well-being during pregnancy. Yes, pregnancy brain is real, but it shouldn’t be debilitating and too “foggy.” 

Our approach begins with a comprehensive assessment using advanced INSiGHT Scans. These non-invasive scans measure the function of your autonomic nervous system. They help us identify areas where stress and dysfunction may be contributing to your even worse pregnancy brain symptoms. By pinpointing specific patterns of nervous system imbalance, we can create a personalized care plan that supports optimal neurological function during this critical time.

Neurologically-focused chiropractic care offers adjustments designed to improve nervous system communication and restore balance between your sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. 

These specialized techniques help stimulate the vagus nerve and promote the “rest, digest, and regulate” functions that are essential for cognitive clarity and emotional stability. Beyond chiropractic adjustments, supporting your nervous system during pregnancy involves several complementary strategies:

• Stress management techniques that specifically target nervous system regulation, such as deep breathing exercises and gentle movement
• Sleep optimization through proper positioning, room environment, and bedtime routines that support restorative rest
• Nutritional support focusing on brain-healthy nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and B vitamins
• Mindful movement that promotes blood flow to the brain and supports overall nervous system health

What makes this approach particularly powerful is its dual benefit. When we optimize maternal nervous system function, we’re not just improving your cognitive performance and quality of life. We’re also creating the optimal environment for your baby’s neurological development. 

Research shows that maternal stress and nervous system dysfunction can impact fetal brain development. While a well-regulated maternal nervous system supports healthy neural growth and optimal birth outcomes.

A Path Forward for You and Your Baby

Pregnancy brain is absolutely real, measurable, and, most importantly, able to be supported. What you’re experiencing isn’t a character flaw, a sign of weakness, or something you must simply accept as part of pregnancy. These cognitive changes reflect your nervous system’s remarkable attempt to adapt to the extraordinary demands of creating new life. With proper support, this adaptation can be optimized rather than endured.

The key lies in understanding that pregnancy brain often signals underlying nervous system dysfunction that has been brewing long before conception. By addressing these root causes through neurologically-focused care, you can not only improve your current cognitive function but also set the foundation for a healthier postpartum recovery and optimal development for your growing baby.

When you’re ready to take the next step, reach out and we can assess your unique needs through INSiGHT scans and develop a personalized care plan. 

Your brain isn’t broken… It’s adapting. Let’s help it adapt optimally, creating the best possible experience for both you and your baby during this transformative time.

You’re Not Broken—Your Nervous System Is Just Stuck

If you’ve tried every sleep hack, energy drink, supplement, and fitness trend out there—and still feel worn out, foggy, and running on fumes—you’re not lazy, and you’re not broken. You’re likely stuck in survival mode because your nervous system is stuck there, too.

No amount of coffee, B12, or 5 AM workouts can override a chronically stressed and subluxated nervous system. If your “gas pedal” is always on and your “brake pedal” isn’t working, burnout isn’t just likely—it’s inevitable.

This message is for exhausted parents who’ve tried everything from diet changes to supplements, better sleep routines to meditation, yet still struggle with chronic fatigue, brain fog, and that feeling of running on empty despite their best efforts to “fix” their energy crisis.

We’re diving deeper than any diet change, detox protocol, or essential oil can… and we’re going to learn how to reboot, recharge, and regulate our OWN nervous systems!

Parents are notorious for putting themselves LAST and just existing and dragging themselves through each day on a self-directed cocktail of Starbucks, sugar, and all sorts of other stuff that only masks the problem and drives it deeper. Let’s finally put our own health up front and get our energy and quality of life back! It’s MORE than possible!

The Reality Check: You’re Not Alone in This Battle

Studies show that parental burnout may affect up to 14% of parents, with mothers experiencing higher rates than fathers. Research shows that up to 20.4% of adults report experiencing general fatigue, with parents experiencing significantly higher rates.

Burnout doesn’t just affect mental health—it can cause chronic inflammation and disrupted cortisol patterns that impact energy regulation. What we see in practice mirrors these findings: parents come in thinking they’re just “normal tired,” but their INSiGHT scans often reveal significant dysregulation. Many show patterns of sympathetic dominance—essentially stuck in an energy-draining “fight or flight” mode that no amount of rest or supplements can fix.

The Real Root Cause of Parental Exhaustion

Here’s what most healthcare providers won’t tell you: your energy levels are intricately connected to your nervous system regulation. Particularly the balance between your sympathetic (“fight or flight”) and parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) branches of your autonomic nervous system.

When this system becomes imbalanced—a condition known as dysautonomia—your energy production and regulation suffer significantly. Regardless of how well you’re sleeping or what supplements you’re taking.

Most parents don’t realize that their chronic exhaustion may be a sign of neurological dysfunction, specifically related to subluxation—interference in the communication pathways between your brain and body.

This neurological dysfunction impacts your vagus nerve function, which directly affects your body’s ability to recover from stress and properly regulate all the systems involved in energy production.

Understanding the “3T’s” That Lead to Chronic Parental Exhaustion

The physical, chemical, and emotional stressors of parenting create what we call “The 3T’s” of nervous system stress that accumulates over time and manifests as chronic fatigue and brain fog.

Physical Stressors: Poor posture from carrying children, old injuries, or birth stress creates tension patterns that interfere with optimal nervous system function and energy regulation.

Chemical Stressors: Processed foods, environmental toxins, and even the constant cortisol from stress overload your body’s detox systems.

Emotional Stressors: Research indicates that two-thirds of parents experience a drop in relationship quality within three years of bringing their baby home, often linked to parental burnout.

Technology: Now adds a fourth dimension of stress, hijacking your brain’s focus and further dysregulating your nervous system.

The Brain-Gut Connection’s Critical Role in Your Energy Crisis

Your vagus nerve serves as the primary communication highway between your brain and digestive system, regulating digestive enzyme production, nutrient absorption, and gut microbiome health.

When subluxation and nervous system dysregulation are present, this delicate system becomes disrupted. Meaning you could be eating the perfect diet and taking all the right supplements, but your body can’t effectively convert that into usable energy.

This is why many parents with chronic fatigue also experience digestive issues like bloating, constipation, or food sensitivities. They’re different manifestations of the same underlying neurological dysfunction.

Addressing the neurological component is the missing piece that allows all your other healthy habits to finally work and deliver the energy you’ve been seeking.

Why Conventional Approaches to Energy Often Fall Short for Parents

The Band-Aid Solutions: Conventional approaches typically involve increased caffeine consumption and energy drinks that further stress your already overtaxed nervous system. Creating a dependency cycle without addressing the root cause.

Sleep Medications and Supplements: These may provide temporary relief but don’t address why your sleep isn’t restorative in the first place—your dysregulated nervous system.

The Dismissive Attitude: Most healthcare providers dismiss parental fatigue as “just part of being a parent,” missing the neurological dysfunction that keeps your body stuck in energy-depleting stress mode.

The Missing Link: Neurologically-Focused Approach

In contrast, neurologically-focused chiropractic care addresses the root causes of energy dysregulation in your nervous system. Restoring your body’s natural energy rhythms and reducing dependency on external stimulants.

This approach recognizes that your nervous system is the master regulator of your energy, focus, hormones, sleep, digestion—literally everything! And when it’s in constant “fight or flight” mode (hello, parenting!), no amount of rest, vitamins, or meditation can override it.

Chronic stress, birth trauma, screen time overload, relationship shifts, carrying toddlers around like kettlebells… it all adds up. These are the “3 T’s” we talk about: Trauma, Toxins, and Thoughts! And they silently push your nervous system into overdrive and burnout.

What Most Healthcare Providers Miss

What most healthcare providers miss is that this is neurological. Not just nutritional. Not just emotional. And definitely not just “being a tired parent.”

When subluxation, stress, and dysregulation build up in your nervous system, it throws off your vagus nerve, digestion, sleep cycles, hormone balance, metabolism… everything that fuels real energy. That’s why all the healthy habits in the world aren’t working.

Your Path Forward: From Surviving to Thriving

If you’re burnt out and spinning your wheels, it’s time to go deeper—to the nervous system. That’s where Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care comes in, and at RCW, this is our expertise!. It’s the missing link to finally getting your energy—and life—back.

If you’re ready to stop chasing surface-level solutions and get to the real root cause of your exhaustion, reach out to us today!

Parents, it’s time to stop surviving and start thriving. You deserve more than burnout. You deserve brain clarity, emotional balance, and energy that lasts.

As a parent, watching your once full-of-life teenager transform into someone withdrawn, constantly overwhelmed, and struggling with anxiety or depression can be heart-wrenching. You’ve likely consulted various healthcare providers, tried different approaches, and perhaps even considered medication—yet your teen’s struggles continue.

What if we told you that the root cause might not be the “chemical imbalance” that most conventional doctors continue to blame these rapidly increasing teen challenges on?

The Crisis Our Teens Are Facing

The United States is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis among adolescents. According to recent CDC data, 44% of American high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Even more alarming, nearly one in three teenage girls report having seriously contemplated suicide—twice the rate of boys.

What’s particularly interesting is that during this same period of rising mental health challenges, we’ve seen some positive trends for young people. Including reduced alcohol consumption and fewer teen pregnancies. Yet anxiety and depression have continued to surge across all demographics.

Beyond the Chemical Imbalance Theory

While traditional medicine typically addresses these challenges with medications aimed at correcting presumed chemical imbalances, many parents find these approaches merely mask the symptoms rather than address underlying causes.

The truth is, the ‘chemical imbalance’ theory behind anxiety and depression isn’t as scientific or proven as most people believe.

What’s really happening? Our teens’ nervous systems are stuck in ‘fight or flight’ — constantly dysregulated, exhausted, and overwhelmed. They’re trapped in stress mode 24/7, often chasing constant stimulation just to cope.

Understanding the Neurological Foundation

From a neurological perspective, anxiety and depression are often connected to imbalances in the autonomic nervous system. Specifically between the sympathetic “fight or flight” response and the parasympathetic “rest and digest” functions.

This neurological imbalance, called dysautonomia, represents a crucial but often overlooked root cause that can leave teens stuck in a persistent state of stress and emotional dysregulation.

The Critical Role of the Vagus Nerve

The vagus nerve is the primary component of the parasympathetic nervous system and plays a crucial role in emotional regulation, stress recovery, and social connection.

This “wandering nerve” connects the brain to vital organs and helps regulate heart rate, breathing, digestion, inflammation, and emotional states.

Research shows that lower vagal tone is significantly linked to challenges in managing emotions and a heightened sensitivity to stress. Exactly what we see in teens with anxiety and depression.

When vagus nerve function is compromised due to subluxation and nervous system stress, it affects your teen’s ability to calm themselves, process emotions, and maintain balanced mood states.

The “Perfect Storm” Leading to Teen Mental Health Issues

This neurological dysfunction often begins early in life, what we call “The Perfect Storm”:

• Maternal stress during pregnancy can affect the developing fetal nervous system through stress hormones that cross the placental barrier.
• Birth interventions like forceps deliveries or C-sections can cause subtle injuries to the upper neck and brainstem regions. Potentially affecting the vagus nerve and leading to subluxation.
• Early childhood factors continue building the foundation for later challenges, including repeated infections, frequent antibiotic use, disrupting the gut-brain axis, environmental toxins, and physical injuries.
• Modern lifestyle factors significantly amplify these neurological imbalances. Including digital technology, sleep disruption, decreased physical activity, and poor nutrition affecting the gut microbiome and vagal function.

Many researchers have noted that the sharp rise in teen mental health issues coincided with the widespread adoption of smartphones around 2012, pointing to digital technology as a significant factor—but the full picture is much more complex and begins much earlier in life.

Recognizing Signs of Nervous System Dysfunction in Your Teen

If your teen is struggling, look for these signs that may indicate neurological imbalance:

• Physical signs like sleep disturbances, appetite changes, digestive issues, continually getting sick, fatigue + exhaustion, and restlessness often reflect an underlying neurological imbalance.
• Emotional indicators such as persistent sadness, excessive worry, irritability, and loss of interest stem from an autonomic nervous system stuck in sympathetic dominance.
• Behavioral changes including social withdrawal, declining academic performance, and increased sensitivity to criticism frequently signal nervous system dysregulation rather than just “typical teen behavior.”

There Is Hope: Finding the Root Cause

Simply put – it’s NOT easy being a teen in today’s crazy world.

Thankfully, teens have a remarkable ability to bounce back and become resilient, adaptable, and joyful once again! The teen brain and nervous system are going through so many changes all at once, and once we get the stuck sympathetic stress, tension, subluxation, and exhaustion out of the way for them – it’s programmed for healing + recovery!

At RCW, we use advanced technology, called INSiGHT Scans, which can help us identify specific areas of dysregulation and dysautonomia and provide critical insights into your teen’s autonomic function.

Based on these assessments, we can then create personalized care plans, including specialized approaches designed to release excessive sympathetic “fight or flight” activity while stimulating the vagus nerve and parasympathetic function.

By addressing these neurological imbalances, we help restore proper communication pathways between the brain and body, creating the physiological foundation for improved emotional health and mood regulation.

Renewed Hope for Parents

Parents often tell us they feel renewed hope after learning about this nervous system-focused approach to healing! They’re relieved to discover there’s a different path they can take. One that doesn’t rely on potentially dangerous medications with long-term side effects, but instead focuses on restoring proper function to the systems that naturally regulate mood, stress, and emotional well-being.

If your teen is struggling with anxiety or depression, it’s likely their nervous system is imbalanced and dysregulated – and there is hope for healing. The teen brain is remarkably resilient when given the right support. So please don’t wait to reach out to RCW to schedule a consultation today!

Your teen’s story isn’t over. There’s so much healing ahead. Let’s take the first step together.