When we think about Lyme disease, we often picture a rash or joint pain.
But for many people, the most devastating effects are brain issues. Brain fog, mood swings, memory loss, even depression or psychosis — these symptoms raise a difficult question:
Is it possible that Lyme bacteria actually persist in the brain, much like syphilis once did?
This isn’t a new debate. In fact, it echoes one of the most important stories in medical history.
A Lesson from History: Syphilis and the Brain
For decades, doctors argued about whether syphilis could really cause dementia and psychiatric illness. Some believed it was coincidence; others suspected the infection lingered. This ongoing debate ended in 1913, when researchers finally detected Treponema pallidum — the syphilis spirochete — in the brains of people with late-stage neurosyphilis.
The conclusion was clear: persistent infection was driving late-stage brain disease.
The 2012 Miklossy Review: Lyme vs. Syphilis
Fast forward to 2012. Dr. Judith Miklossy published a groundbreaking review comparing late-stage syphilis with late-stage Lyme neuroborreliosis. Her findings were striking:
- Clinical parallels: Both diseases progress in stages. Just as syphilis causes dementia and psychosis in its tertiary phase, Lyme can cause cognitive decline, seizures, mood disorders, and even psychosis.
- Pathological evidence: Borrelia burgdorferi — the Lyme spirochete — has been cultured from human brain tissue and spinal fluid.
- Persistence and immune evasion: Like syphilis, Borrelia can evade the immune system, hide inside cells, and change form to survive.
Conclusion: Chronic or late-stage Lyme neuroborreliosis is real — and its parallels to neurosyphilis are too strong to dismiss.
What Newer Studies Show (2021–2025)
June 2021 – Systematic Review (Dersch & Singh)
- Compared neurosyphilis and Lyme neuroborreliosis side by side.
- Introduced CXCL13 testing in spinal fluid as a breakthrough diagnostic tool.
- CXCL13 is a chemokine — basically an immune “flare signal.” High levels in spinal fluid are one of the most reliable markers of active Lyme neuroborreliosis. This helps doctors distinguish between ongoing infection and other conditions.
- Emphasized avoiding over-diagnosis and unnecessary long-term antibiotics.
April 2024 – Review on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
- Found that symptoms often persist even after Lyme is treated.
- Common issues: depression, anxiety, anger, and executive dysfunction.
- Delayed diagnosis makes symptoms more severe and long-lasting.
September 2024 – PTLDS (Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome)
- About 10–20% of patients report lingering neurological or cognitive symptoms.
- Evidence suggests this isn’t always due to live bacteria, but rather immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation.
- The future of care may focus more on calming the immune system than extended antibiotics.
Clinical Research 2025
- Patients with treated Lyme neuroborreliosis still report lower quality of life than the general population.
- Persistent symptoms are real, even after effective therapy.
Pathways to Healing: Beyond Antibiotics
If lingering Lyme symptoms aren’t always about active infection, how do we support recovery? This is where holistic and functional medicine can offer some hope.
Foundational Lifestyle Support
- Anti-inflammatory nutrition — Mediterranean-style diet rich in polyphenols, omega-3s, and spices like turmeric.
- Sleep as medicine — quality sleep clears brain inflammation through the glymphatic system.
- Movement — exercise boosts BDNF (a growth factor that supports brain repair).
- Gut healing — probiotics, prebiotics, and mindful eating reduce inflammation.
Targeted Tools & Supplements
- Herbal Anti-inflammatory Support: Curcumin, SPMs (Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators)
- Nerve-repair herbs: Lion’s Mane mushroom, Gotu kola, Bacopa, Ginkgo, Ashwagandha. Immune-supportive herbs: Astragalus, Reishi mushroom, Echinacea.
- Antioxidants: Vitamin D, glutathione, and plant polyphenols.
Herbals That Target Infections
Salmento (Cat’s Claw extract): studied for its ability to target Borrelia while supporting immune balance.
*Caution: These should only be used with the guidance of a Lyme-literate practitioner.*
Gentle, Steady Detox
- Glutathione — the master antioxidant.
- Binders — like charcoal or chlorella to capture toxins.
- Infrared sauna — helps move toxins through sweat.
- Detox soaks — Epsom salts or herbal baths.
- Pacing is key — too much too fast can make symptoms worse.
Trauma & Recovery
Chronic Lyme doesn’t just affect the body — it impacts the nervous system. Many patients carry layers of trauma: the trauma of infection itself, emotional trauma of not being believed, or old traumas that resurface under stress. Addressing both infection and trauma is often key to recovery.
The Hopeful Truth
The story of syphilis shows us that medical debates constantly evolve — what was once dismissed is often later proven true. With Lyme, the research is ongoing, but one thing is certain: patients’ symptoms are real, and healing is possible.
Holistic tools — from diet and detox to herbs and trauma recovery — provide a hopeful path forward. And with the right Lyme-literate practitioner guiding the process, recovery is not just possible, but achievable.
Final Word
If you’re struggling with brain fog, anxiety, or unexplained symptoms after Lyme disease, know this: you’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it. Science is catching up to what patients have known all along. And while antibiotics have their place, the future of healing lies in addressing the whole picture — the infection, the immune system, the nervous system, and the trauma. Your brain was designed to heal. Sometimes, it just needs the right support.
