Episode 2: The Long-Term Effects of Brain Inflammation with Dr. Peter Kan
- THA Operations
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
When You Can't Think Clearly Anymore
You lose your train of thought mid-sentence. You walk into a room and forget why you're there. You read the same paragraph three times and still don't absorb it.
You tell yourself it's normal aging and push through the fog. But here's what's actually happening: your brain is inflamed.
Brain fog isn't just getting older but rather neural inflammation, and it's showing up younger and younger.
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Peter Kan, a chiropractic neurologist who specializes in healing the gut-brain connection. We break down what's really happening when you can't focus and why your brain inflammation might be coming from your trauma.
Your Brain Can't Tell the Difference
Here's something most people don't know: your brain can't distinguish between physical and psychological trauma.
A head injury triggers inflammation. Chronic stress triggers inflammation. Emotional overwhelm triggers inflammation. The neurological response is the same.
Both activate your brain's inflammatory pathways and can lead to persistent brain fog and cognitive dysfunction, memory problems and difficulty concentrating, slower processing speed, fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, and mood changes and emotional dysregulation.
When your brain is inflamed, even simple tasks become hard. That fuzzy thinking isn't normal but rather inflammation in your neural tissue.
Why This Is Happening to Younger People
We used to blame cognitive decline on aging. Now we're seeing brain fog in people in their 20s and 30s. Something has shifted.
Dr. Kan and I explore the lifestyle factors driving widespread brain inflammation, including chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation, gut health disruption affecting brain function, environmental toxins and inflammatory foods, unresolved trauma creating ongoing neurological activation, and the cumulative effect of living in a traumatizing world.
Inflammation starts in one place but doesn't stay there.
The Gut-Brain Axis Changes Everything
Your gut and brain are in constant communication. When your gut is inflamed, your brain feels it. When your nervous system is dysregulated, your digestion suffers.
This isn't metaphorical but biological.
Dr. Kan explains how gut inflammation directly impacts cognitive function, why leaky gut often means brain fog, the vagus nerve connection between gut and brain, how trauma affects both digestive and neural health, and why healing must address both systems simultaneously.
This Episode Is For:
✓ People struggling with concentration, memory, or persistent brain fog
✓ Anyone attributing cognitive symptoms to aging when they're actually younger
✓ Practitioners working with clients who can't focus or think clearly
✓ Those dealing with both digestive issues and mental fog
✓ Anyone wanting to understand the trauma-inflammation-brain connection
What You'll Learn
Listen to understand how trauma creates brain inflammation. Discover why the gut-brain connection matters for cognitive function. Learn what you can do to support your neural health.
Clear thinking starts with healing inflammation.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information shared reflects my clinical expertise and research, but every person's biology and healing journey is unique. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers before making changes to your treatment plan or starting new interventions. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact emergency services or a crisis helpline immediately.
Join the Conversation
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. What resonated with you? What questions came up?
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