Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health challenges people face today. They can cloud your thinking, drain your energy, and disrupt every part of daily life. Medications and therapy can play an important role, but many people still feel like something deeper is being missed.

That’s where functional medicine makes a difference.

At her clinic in Brooklyn, Dr. Bliss Lewis blends advanced psychiatry with holistic, integrative care. Her approach goes beyond symptom management to uncover the biological, emotional, and lifestyle patterns that contribute to depression and anxiety.

What Functional Medicine Looks For

Functional medicine is a patient-centered, systems-based approach. Instead of treating symptoms in isolation, it looks at how the body and mind interact.

It considers factors such as:

• nutrition and nutrient deficiencies
• gut microbiome health
• hormones and stress physiology
• inflammation
• environmental toxins
• genetics
• emotional stress and past experiences

When applied to mental health, this approach helps identify what’s driving mood shifts, anxiety, fatigue, or cognitive changes — not just how to quiet them temporarily.

At her Brooklyn practice, Dr. Lewis uses these insights to create individualized treatment plans when traditional care alone hasn’t provided relief.

Why Root Causes Matter

Symptoms are important, but they rarely tell the whole story. Functional medicine helps uncover why those symptoms developed in the first place.

Here are some common root causes:

• Nutritional deficiencies

Low levels of B vitamins, magnesium, or omega-3s can disrupt neurotransmitter balance and mood.

• Gut–brain imbalances

About 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut. Dysbiosis, inflammation, or food sensitivities can influence anxiety and depression.

• Hormonal shifts

Cortisol, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones all play key roles in mood, sleep, and energy.

• Toxic load

Heavy metals, chronic inflammation, and environmental exposures can interfere with brain function.

• Stress and life experiences

Unprocessed trauma, ongoing stress, or emotional overwhelm can shape how the brain and body respond to daily challenges.

When these root causes are addressed, people often experience deeper, more sustainable improvements in mental health.

Key Components of a Functional Medicine Approach to Mental Health

At Mind Body 7, functional medicine combines advanced diagnostics with individualized care. Each healing plan is designed to support both the biological and emotional aspects of mental health.

Advanced Testing and Diagnostics

Dr. Lewis uses comprehensive lab testing to identify underlying imbalances. These may include:

• nutrient levels

• hormone profiles

• microbiome analysis

• inflammation markers

• genetic variations that influence mood

These insights help build a treatment plan tailored to each person’s unique needs.

Personalized Nutrition for Mental Health

Nutrition is a powerful tool for balancing mood and supporting brain function.

This may include:

• correcting nutrient deficiencies (vitamin D, folate, B12, magnesium)

• prioritizing anti-inflammatory foods

• increasing omega-3–rich foods like salmon, walnuts, and flax

• reducing processed foods and added sugars

• identifying food sensitivities that trigger inflammation

Even small dietary shifts can lead to noticeable improvements in clarity, mood, and energy.

Supporting the Gut-Brain Connection

Gut health plays a central role in emotional well-being. Many people don’t realize how digestive issues can affect mood, attention, and stress tolerance.

Dr. Lewis focuses on:

• healing the gut lining

• balancing the microbiome

• reducing inflammation

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• using probiotics and prebiotics

• personalized nutrition plans

• addressing “leaky gut” when present

Improving gut health often creates momentum in mental health recovery.

Stress Management and Lifestyle Support

Chronic stress affects hormones, immune function, digestion, and the nervous system. Over time, it can fuel both anxiety and depression.

Tools often included in treatment plans:

• mindfulness and meditation

• breathwork

• restorative movement like yoga or tai chi

• exercise programs personalized to energy levels

• nervous system regulation practices

• sleep optimization

The goal is to help the body shift out of survival mode and into a state of healing.

Targeted Supplementation and Medications (When Needed)

Functional medicine doesn’t exclude traditional psychiatry — it enhances it.

Dr. Lewis may combine:

• medications, when appropriate

• omega-3 fatty acids

• adaptogens

• evidence-based herbal support

• nootropics tailored to mood and cognition

• nutrients that address specific deficiencies

This balanced approach supports both symptom relief and long-term healing.

Addressing Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

Small daily habits can either support or weaken mental wellness.

Dr. Lewis helps patients improve key areas such as:

• sleep quality

• toxin exposure

• movement

• social connection

• stress resilience

These shifts build long-lasting systems that support emotional balance and clarity.

A Partnership for Mental Wellness

Anxiety and depression are complex — and they deserve more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Functional medicine offers a deeper, more comprehensive path to understanding what’s happening beneath the surface.

With more than 20 years of psychiatric experience, Dr. Bliss Lewis combines integrative tools, advanced diagnostics, and the wisdom of mind–body medicine to help patients regain clarity, stability, and a renewed sense of self.

If you’re ready to explore the root causes of your symptoms and begin a more personalized healing journey, you’re invited to schedule a consultation.

Together, you can uncover the tools and strategies that support lasting mental and emotional well-being.