That One Bowl of Pasta Wrecked My Brain—Here’s Why

nakedgutnutrition
Aug 22
2 min read

I haven’t had gluten in years. And truthfully, I don’t miss it.

But a while back, I was at a charming little winery where they served fresh pasta made with “Italian flour.” The kind that many people claim is more tolerable because it’s less processed and grown without the hybridization or pesticide load we often see in the U.S.

Out of curiosity—and maybe a little nostalgia—got the better of me. So I ate the pasta.

And about 30 minutes later... I deeply regretted it.

My brain felt toxic. foggy and brain fatigue. It was Toxic! I was a bit confused while driving home—on a route I drive almost daily. I couldn’t focus on conversation. My reflexes were slow. It was as if my brain had been unplugged from the inside out.

It scared me. And it reminded me of something important:

Just because something is “from Italy” or “organic” doesn’t mean your body will tolerate it—especially if your immune system has already flagged it as a threat.

Why This Happens (Even If It’s Not Full-Blown Celiac)

If you’ve cut out gluten for a long time and then reintroduce it, your immune system may respond with even more intensity. It’s like you cleaned out a fire hazard... only to set off a spark in a now highly flammable environment.

Here’s what may have happened in my body—and maybe yours too:

Gluten triggered an immune response that increased inflammation in my brain.
Tight junctions in my gut opened up (what we call “leaky gut”), letting inflammatory proteins into my bloodstream.
My nervous system got the message: DANGER. Cue brain fog, coordination issues, and feeling “off.”

This wasn’t just about feeling a little bloated or gassy. It was neurological. And that tells me how interconnected the gut and brain really are.

So If You’ve Ever Felt:

Foggy or forgetful after eating certain foods
Like your brain “shut off” unexpectedly
Disoriented or emotionally off after a meal...

You’re not imagining it. Food can absolutely affect your brain—especially if you're dealing with perimenopause, autoimmunity, or chronic inflammation.

The Takeaway?

Listen to your body’s signals. Just because something is labeled “better quality” doesn’t mean it’s safe for you. That bowl of pasta might be harmless to someone else—but it was a neurotoxic trigger for me.

If you're experiencing brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, or other mysterious symptoms, I want you to know: there's always a root cause. And you're not crazy.

There’s a whole world of healing waiting when we start with gut health, mineral balance, and nervous system support. That’s where real transformation begins.

Ready to Explore Your Root Causes?

If you’re struggling with symptoms like brain fog, joint pain, or hormonal chaos—and you’re tired of guessing—I’d love to support you.

You can book a 1:1 session where we’ll go over your test results and create a customized roadmap together. Or explore my full 7-day functional program:🌿 The Root & Restore Protocol™ — nakedgutnutrition.com/the-root-restore

to health & happiness,

Heajung