What Is It?

Blood sugar dysregulation—often dismissed as a minor dietary issue—is emerging as one of the root causes of fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, stubborn weight gain, and even depression. Yet, many people eating “clean” still feel off.

According to cutting-edge research from Jessie Inchauspé—known as The Glucose Goddess—and functional medicine leaders like Dr. Andrew Rostenberg, unstable glucose and nervous system dysregulation often occur together. Your metabolism and your mood aren’t separate—they’re deeply intertwined.

When blood sugar fluctuates wildly, it stresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leads to poor insulin signaling, and triggers your body’s survival mechanisms. The result? A cascade of symptoms that mimic hormonal, psychological, and digestive disorders.

Let’s break down the signs and what to do about it—before reaching for another stimulant, antidepressant, or diet.

Signs and Symptoms of Glucose and Nervous System Dysregulation

Many symptoms blamed on stress, aging, or “just being busy” are actually signs your body is struggling to maintain energy balance.

Common Symptoms Include:

• Brain fog that lifts only after eating

• Cravings for carbs or sugar between meals

• Waking up at 2–3 a.m. (classic cortisol spike)

• Weight gain around the midsection despite clean eating

• Mood swings, anxiety, or “wired but tired” feeling

• Needing caffeine to function, especially in the morning

• Energy crashes mid-morning or mid-afternoon

• Poor sleep, often with early waking or restlessness

According to Dr. Rostenberg (2019), these symptoms are often signs of chronic sympathetic dominance—when your body lives in fight-or-flight mode due to metabolic and neurotransmitter imbalances caused by blood sugar instability.

Root Cause: A Broken Rhythm Between Glucose and the Brain

Here’s What’s Really Going On:

Your brain is your most glucose-hungry organ. It needs steady, regulated fuel—not spikes and crashes.

When you eat carbs without adequate protein, fat, or fiber—or skip meals entirely—your blood sugar soars, then crashes. This sets off a hormonal alarm, triggering:

• Cortisol and adrenaline spikes

• Shutdown of digestion and immune regulation

• A rapid shift from rest-and-digest to survival mode

• Over time: insulin resistance, gut dysbiosis, and neuroinflammation

“When your blood sugar drops, your brain activates the stress response to protect itself—flooding your system with cortisol and sabotaging mood, metabolism, and memory.” — Rostenberg, 2019, Your Genius Body

The Glucose-Gut-Brain Loop

According to Glucose Goddess, glucose spikes don't just affect weight—they disrupt neurotransmitter production, increase inflammation, and reduce your body’s ability to respond to insulin.

This affects:

• Oxytocin production (your trust + connection hormone)

• Serotonin and dopamine synthesis (dependent on amino acids from food)

• Gut-brain signaling (worsened by adrenaline + poor digestion)

You’re not moody or broken. Your brain is running on stress fuel instead of steady glucose.

How Functional Medicine Addresses It: Beyond Food Rules

Unlike conventional care—which may dismiss these symptoms or treat them separately—functional medicine practitioners look at the whole picture:

Diagnostic Strategies May Include:

• Fasting insulin and glucose levels

• Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)

• Organic acid testing (to assess mitochondrial health)

• Neurotransmitter panels (to assess dopamine, serotonin, GABA)

• Cortisol panels or DUTCH test (for adrenal rhythm)

“You can’t heal the nervous system without stabilizing blood sugar. It’s the foundation of neurotransmitter health.” — Dr. Rostenberg, 2019

Functional Medicine Strategies That Work:

1. Eat in the Right Order (Glucose Stacking):

As Glucose Goddess teaches: veggies first, then protein/fat, then carbs.

Same meal—totally different metabolic response.

2. Don’t Skip Breakfast—Start with Protein + Fat:

Skipping meals raises cortisol and reduces serotonin production. A savory breakfast signals safety to your nervous system.

3. Add “Nervous System-Safe” Movement After Meals:

Light movement (e.g., walking, stretching) helps glucose enter cells and reduces post-meal spikes.

Try rebounding, gentle walking, or vibration plates to calm the brain and assist lymphatic drainage.

4. Restore Oxytocin + Vagal Tone:

Building trust with your body boosts healing.

• Make eye contact

• Practice gentle breathwork

• Prioritize human connection

• Use gentle touch or cold exposure

5. Address the Environment, Not Just Genetics:

Dr. Rostenberg emphasizes: “Genetics load the gun. Environment pulls the trigger.”

Regulating your circadian rhythm, stabilizing glucose, and calming the nervous system can “turn off” insulin resistance and inflammatory pathways.

Conclusion: You’re Not Lazy, You’re Dysregulated

If you’re hangry, foggy, anxious, or craving sugar all day—this is not a character flaw. It’s not a lack of discipline.

It’s a sign your nervous system and blood sugar rhythms are out of sync.

But the solution isn’t extreme fasting, low-carb obsession, or more supplements. It’s about rhythm over restriction.

Start here:

• Hydrate before caffeine

• Eat within an hour of waking

• Use the glucose-friendly meal order

• Pair meals with calm movement

• Ask: “What is my nervous system trying to tell me?”

When your body feels safe, it stops holding on to fat, fear, and inflammation.

When your brain receives steady fuel, your clarity, calm, and confidence return.

To get started a personalized journey or how we can work with you, book your free discovery call today!

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The supplements mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.