For years, people have been told that mood disorders begin and end in the brain. But the longer I practice medicine, the more I see how much of emotional health lives in the body.
A woman in her late thirties came to see me after more than fifteen years on an antidepressant. It had helped her through a difficult chapter, but she wondered if she still needed it. Every time she missed a dose, she felt dizzy, foggy, and filled with what she called “electric zaps” in her head. Her goal wasn’t to quit overnight. She wanted to know whether her body could function well on its own and how to make that transition safely if the timing was indeed right.
Laying the Groundwork
When we first met, I told her that any change would take time.
Before touching the medication, we focused on strengthening her foundation. That meant understanding her body as a whole system. Her labs showed mild inflammation, low levels of vitamin B12, zinc, and omega-3s. These are nutrients that help regulate mood and brain chemistry. We also ran a microbiome test that revealed an imbalance in her gut bacteria and signs of leaky gut. Because most serotonin is produced in the gut, this was important.
Our first phase of care centered on calming inflammation and rebuilding gut integrity. She started an elimination diet, removed a few trigger foods, and added probiotics, L-glutamine, and an oral peptide called BPC-157 to help restore and protect the gut lining. I placed her on customized vitamin packets formulated from her results so her system could rebuild.
Over several months, her sleep improved, her energy lifted, and she said she felt “more steady than she had in a long time.” That’s when we knew her foundation was ready.
The Genetic Insight
Next, we looked at her genetics. A specialized panel revealed a variation in the MTHFR gene, which affects how the body activates certain B-vitamins. For people with this variant, even a nutrient-rich diet may not provide enough usable vitamins to support neurotransmitter balance.
Once she switched to methylated (active) B-vitamins, she noticed her focus sharpen and her mood even out further. This was an important insight. It showed that what seems like the same “deficiency” on paper can require a completely different solution from one person to another.
A Thoughtful Taper
After six months of rebuilding, we began to taper her medication. The lowest available capsule dose was still too strong, and missing even one led to symptoms. To make the process gradual, I worked with a compounding pharmacy to create a custom liquid version. This allowed us to reduce her dose by a single milligram at a time. Most conventional care doesn’t allow for this level of personalization, but that’s the benefit of taking time. We could tailor every step to how her body responded rather than following a standard schedule.
Each week we checked in. Some weeks we stayed at the same dose before stepping down again. The process took about three months, and she tolerated it beautifully with no “zaps” and no emotional crash. This kind of slow, structured tapering isn’t flashy, but it’s what works. It’s about helping the body relearn balance rather than forcing it.
Supporting the Next Season
A few months later, she came in feeling well but mentioned new symptoms: lighter sleep, occasional fog, and irregular cycles. These were signs of early perimenopause, which can naturally influence mood. Together we ran a detailed hormone panel and adjusted her nutrition, supplements, and routines to support her through the transition.
We discussed that mental health isn’t static. It changes with hormones, life seasons, and stress. Her goal was never to prove she could live without medication forever. It was to understand her biology deeply enough to know what she needed and when.
Why This Story Matters
Mental health reflects the health of the whole system, including the gut, hormones, inflammation, nutrients, and the stress response.
This patient’s journey wasn’t about rejecting medicine. It was about building the conditions that allowed her to safely step away when her body was ready. And if the future brings a time when she needs that support again, we’ll meet that season with the same curiosity and care.
That’s the essence of personalized medicine: understanding the full picture, supporting each internal system, and walking beside patients through every phase of change. This patient knew she could call or text whenever she needed in the process.
Healing the mind often starts with the body. Through advanced testing and personalized care at Timmons Wellness, it’s possible to rebuild clarity, balance, and long-term energy.
