how to help pmdd

Saffron and PMDD: Natural Relief for Mood Swings, Anxiety & PMS

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Menstrual Cycle, PMS & PMDD

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is more than just “bad PMS.” It’s a severe and even debilitating condition that affects women’s moods, energy, and mental clarity in the two weeks leading up to their period.  While antidepressants are often prescribed, more women are exploring natural PMDD solutions that support both mood and hormone balance—without harsh side effects. One of the most …

saffron supplement

Best Saffron Supplement for Mood, Anxiety, ADHD & PMS

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones

If you’ve been looking for a natural way to support your mood, reduce anxious feelings, or even sharpen your focus, you may have heard about saffron.  This vibrant red spice—yes, the same one used in paella and Persian dishes—has been used medicinally for centuries. In recent years, researchers have uncovered saffron extract benefits that extend far beyond the kitchen — …

adhd focus supplements

Best Natural ADHD Supplements for Focus and Attention (Science-Backed Guide)

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones

If you’re searching for natural ADHD supplements that support focus and attention without stimulants, this guide breaks down what’s clinically backed and what to skip. You might feel less alone knowing that millions of adults in the U.S. face similar challenges—including racing thoughts, forgetfulness, and mental fatigue, which can make it hard to stay productive and emotionally balanced when managing …

saffron and depression

Saffron and Depression: How This Natural Mood Booster Compares to Antidepressants

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Anxiety, Depression, Mood, Balancing Your Hormones

If you’re struggling with low mood, persistent sadness, postpartum depression, or even just feeling “off” lately, you’re experiencing symptoms that affect just about everyone at some point—and you’re certainly not without options.  Depression affects about 1 in every 5 adults1 in the U.S. and is especially common among women, impacting nearly 25% at some point in their lives. Antidepressants are …

brain fog in perimenopause

Perimenopause Brain Fog: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Perimenopause/ Menopause

Perimenopause and menopause aren’t just about hot flashes and irregular periods. For many women, the most frustrating symptom isn’t even physical; it’s mental.  Words escape you mid-sentence, concentration slips away, and your once-sharp memory feels sluggish. These are all examples of what perimenopause brain fog feels like. They’re among the most common (yet least discussed) cognitive changes to occur1 during …

herbal supplements for anxiety

Anxiety and Supplements: What Really Works for Stress, Mood, and Sleep

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Anxiety, Depression, Mood, Balancing Your Hormones, Menstrual Cycle, Stress Reduction

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges globally, especially among women, young adults, and teenagers. Nearly 1 in 3 adults in the U.S.1 will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, which can range from generalized anxiety to panic attacks, social anxiety, and other types.  What’s so alarming is that these numbers have been …

Magnesium for Sleep

Magnesium for Sleep: Complete Guide to Best Forms and Dosage

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Wellbeing

If you struggle with falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up groggy, you’re not alone. In fact, research suggests that up to 60% of adults don’t get enough magnesium, and low levels of this essential mineral are strongly linked to poor sleep quality. Magnesium isn’t just a mineral for muscles and energy — it’s one of the body’s most powerful …

menopause fatigue

Menopause Fatigue Solved: Proven Ways to Reclaim Energy, Focus, and Vitality

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Perimenopause/ Menopause

We often think of menopause as a hormone story, and it certainly is. But there’s another side of the equation that gets far less attention: your mitochondria, and more specifically, how they change as you enter perimenopause and get older.  Mitochondria, which are tiny “energy factories” inside your cells, are intricately connected to hormone production, brain function, metabolic health, and …

foods high in polyphenols

Foods High in Polyphenols: Polyphenol-Rich Foods List, Health Benefits, and Best Sources

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Digestion, Food

Foods high in polyphenols include berries, grapes, dark chocolate, coffee, tea, and spices like turmeric and cloves. These plant compounds are antioxidants that fight inflammation, balance hormones, and support heart, brain, and gut health. But polyphenols do more than just protect your cells. For women navigating hormone shifts in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, they offer support for metabolism, inflammation, …