Is Gluten Actually Harming Your Brain?

Most people think celiac disease and gluten intolerance only cause digestive symptoms like abdominal pain and loose stools. But a growing body of research suggests that gluten can have a profound impact on the brain in people who are sensitive to it.

If you go to your doctor complaining about anxiety, depression, ADHD, or another brain-related problem, it’s extremely unlikely you’ll be tested for celiac or gluten intolerance. And if you ARE sensitive to gluten and keep eating it, that can lead to inflammation and a cascade of negative reactions in the brain.

In this video, I explain how gluten affects the brain in people who are sensitive to it, summarize the research connecting gluten intolerance to mental, behavioral, and neurodegenerative disorders, and tell you how to find out if you might be suffering from undiagnosed gluten intolerance.

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/ / RESEARCH & RELATED RESOURCES

[SB-yyuq]

Saw you talking about this on Joe Rogan and you literally saved my life. I had extreme neurological issues, mood disorders and a very long laundry list of other symptoms. The doctors had no idea what was wrong with me. I tried a gluten free diet to see what would happen and I regained my life. I'll never be able to thank you enough.

[raydawg]

Yup, no joke I wanted to go get assisted suicide done at the hospital. Suffered for 5 years. acne, insomnia, extreme paranoia, severe anger(I’d even take it out on random people I didn’t even know), arthritis, depression that felt like I was coming off of cocaine, loss of memory(extremely nerve racking), pain in the left side of my brain behind my eye, I was convinced I had a brain tumor….guys and girls I’ve only been free of it for 2 weeks and these symptoms have already started improving like crazy. I’ve had a few days where I just sat there and started crying cuz of how messed up my life’s been these last 5 years and these last 2 weeks have been pure bliss compared to the 5 years. I really hope this gets even better and I can find a partner in my life one day cuz this definitely affected that big time. God bless you all, stay the ef away from gluten please.

[clionavaughan]

I went to a kinesiologist 7 years ago… she told me I had cerebral gluten intolerance. I couldn’t believe it. I was 37 and thought I had early onset Alzheimer’s. I cut gluten and have been on the up ever since.

[sweetcharlemaigne]

Undiagnosed Celiac almost ended my life through adrenal failure, my brother the doctor who misdiagnosed me. I literally lost everything due to his refusal to consider other options and was an absolute horror story. I have non-classical, so didn't have the stomach issues, but my brain was very inflamed and suffered from chronic depression for years. Once gluten was removed - depression was gone within 2 weeks. Went gluten free and when I accidentally ingested trace amounts, my brain felt as though it was going to burst through my skull. Due to the damage he did to my character and health, I went back to school for Functional Medicine and am a medical author and medical research writer.

[JessieAllen-rm]

I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, and anxiety and guess what? It turns out I am also gluten intolerant.

[slapshotx]

I had insomnia, fatigue, horrible brain fog for over 20 years. Every doctor dismissed food as a possible cause and all recommended antidepressants and mega doses of adderall. I’m 100 percent gluten free now 100 percent of the time. I feel 80 percent better. Still working toward the 20 percent. It’s been well over a year on a non gluten diet, however, if I eat out, I sometimes get “glutened as a result of cross contamination.

[amnahaque]

Celiac here.
Suffered big time before being diagnosed.

[bobhuisbaas]

I hate Gluten and it's everywhere !

[kathycoe]

Such important information - thank you for this video! I went gluten-free years ago as part of the Paleo diet. I had no idea how gluten was affecting me. But in its absence, my allergies, brain fog, mood, and other issues got so much better! Gluten was the only thing I removed from my diet, so I presume my body reacts adversely to it. Such an easy, inexpensive, non-pharmaceutical change that can make an enormous difference in one's quality of life.

[testinginstruments]

I am gluten free person for nearly 2 years. I feel great.

[shanti]

I think everyone is somewhere on the gluten intolerance spectrum. The most extreme being celiac.

[masgal]

You are such a wealth of information each week. Thank you caring so much for all of us. Gluten is a such a tricky problem. My patients hate the thought of eliminating it but always tend to feel better so they keep it out of their body. You just need to make the cut from it. There are so many great options without it!

[conniecumming]

I have learned so much from your articles ebooks and videos..my daughter is a functional medicine practioner in Canada and although I helped start her down the road of health now she is the one helping me..this type of medicine makes much more sense than the tradtional western medicine approach..I am 63 and I have not been on any medications ever..and I don't plan on it..functional medicine is the way to go

[Roguey]

I have IBS, hormone disorders, and I’m prediabetic. Cutting out wheat products improved my body so much and reversed my pcos symptoms, and I haven’t even totally cut dairy. I think wheat is such a problem bc it has to be processed to extent to be desirably eaten. Then it’s usually stripped (if not whole wheat although still processed) to a point and it has to be enriched. The synthetic chemicals used in wheat I think aids in all these health issues as well. I think I have a gluten sensitivity although I dont have celiac disease. I’ve seen Gastro docs, nutritionist and all for years and avoiding wheat has helped me dramatically.

[lisah]

And yet health specialists, dieticians and nutritionists still recommend whole grains!

[ballonlove]

سلام عليكم ..وشكرا على مجهوداتك ..
عندي سؤال ..هل من المكن تجدد خلايا المخيخ بعد التوقف عن تناول الغلوتين ؟

[georgiaphenneger]

Criss I'm interested in knowing if there are any connection between gluten and Dercums disease or lipedema.

[dimitrafantidou]

Thank you for this great information! For how long would you recommend a gluten elimination trial if someone suffers from chronic neurological and/or skin conditions? Thank you!

[mrwaltermathews]

@chrisskresser This video describes me perfectly and its the first time i've heard a doctor acknowledge it so I thank you. My question is if there is anything you can take when you accidentally do have an exposure that might mitigate the symptoms. Mine are mainly mental including depression and obsessive thoughts.

[Canucksway]

Dairy should be avoided too. Casein can mimic gluten. The casein protein is also very structurally similar to gluten, so the same molecular mimicry that triggers an attack when you eat gluten can also occur when you eat casein from dairy, initiating an autoimmune response. In fact, roughly 50% of those with gluten intolerance are casein intolerant as well.