Article
discusses how neurotransmitter imbalances can affect your physical and
mental health. Reviews new laboratory testing available to detect
neurotransmitter imbalances and natural treatments for depression and
other mood disorders.
Neurotransmitters are powerful chemicals that regulate numerous
physical and emotional processes such as cognitive and mental
performance, emotional states and pain response. Virtually all
functions in life are controlled by neurotransmitters.
Interactions between neurotransmitters, hormones, and the brain
chemicals have a profound influence on overall health and well-being.
When our concentration and focus is good, we feel more directed,
motivated, and vibrant. Unfortunately, if neurotransmitter levels are
inadequate these energizing and motivating signals are absent and we
feel more stressed, sluggish, and out-of-control.
Disrupted communication between the brain and the body can have serious
effects to ones health both physically and mentally. Depression,
anxiety and other mood disorders are thought to be directly related to
imbalances with neurotransmitters.Some of the more common
neurotransmitters that regulate mood are Serotonin, Dopamine, and
Norepinephrine.
Serotonin imbalance is one of the most common contributors to mood
problems. Some feel it is a virtual epidemic in the United States.
Serotonin is key to our feelings of happiness and very important for
our emotions because it helps defend against both anxiety and
depression. You may have a shortage of serotonin if you have a sad
depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks, low energy, migraines, sleeping
problems, obsession or compulsions, feel tense and irritable, crave
sweets, and have a reduced interest in sex. Additionally, your hormones
and Estrogen levels can affect serotonin levels and this may explain
why some women have pre-menstrual and menopausal mood problems.
Moreover, stress can greatly reduce your serotonin supplies.
Dopamine and Norepinephrine are responsible for motivation, energy,
interest, and drive. They are associated with positive stress states
such as being in love, exercising, listening to music, and sex. These
neurotransmitters are the one’s that make you feel good. When we don’t
have enough of them we don’t feel alive, we have difficulty initiating
or completing tasks, poor concentration, no energy, and lack of
motivation. Low neurotransmitter levels drive us to use drugs (self
medicate) or alcohol, smoke cigarettes, gamble, and overeat. For many
years, it has been known in medicine that low levels of these
neurotransmitters can cause many diseases and illnesses. A
neurotransmitter imbalance can cause Depression, anxiety, panic
attacks, insomnia, irritable bowel, hormone dysfunction, eating
disorders, Fibromyalgia, obsessions, compulsions, adrenal dysfunction,
chronic pain, migraine headaches, and even early death.
What causes neurotransmitter dysfunction?
• Prolonged periods of stress can deplete neurotransmitters levels. Our
fast paced, fast food society greatly contributes to these imbalances.
• Poor Diet. Neurotransmitters are made in the body from proteins. Also
required are certain vitamins and minerals called “cofactors” If your
nutrition is poor and you do not take in enough protein, vitamins, or
minerals to build the neurotransmitters, a neurotransmitter imbalance
develops. We really do think and feel what we eat.
• Genetic factors, faulty metabolism, and digestive issues can impair
absorption and breakdown of our food which reduces are ability to build
neurotransmitters.
• Toxic substances like heavy metals, pesticides, drug use, and some
prescription drugs can cause permanent damage to the nerves that make
neurotransmitters.
• Certain drugs and substances such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine,
NutraSweet, antidepressants, and some cholesterol lowering medications
deplete neurotransmitter levels leading to neurotransmitter imbalances.
• Hormone changes cause neurotransmitter imbalances
Testing is now available to detect Neurotransmitter Imbalances.
Basing a treatment on symptoms alone (traditional medicine) will not
provide the information needed to address the underlying imbalance. A
visit to a doctor or practitioners office for depression involves
telling them how you have been feeling emotionally. The typical
depressed person leaves the office with a prescription for an
antidepressant without ever having any conclusive laboratory evidence
of what is causing their symptoms. New sophisticated equipment and
tests are now available to evaluate neurotransmitter imbalances using a
urine or blood sample. This provides a neurotransmitter baseline
assessment and is useful in determining the root causes for diseases
and illnesses such as those mentioned above. Laboratory analysis can
now provide precise information on neurotransmitter deficiencies or
overloads, as well as detect hormonal and nutrient co-factor imbalances
which influence neurotransmitter production. Individuals require
individual solutions. Testing helps to determine exactly which
neurotransmitters are out of balance and helps to determine which
therapies are needed for an individualized treatment plan. It also
helps in monitoring the effectiveness of an individual’s treatment.
Treatment
Nutrient therapies greatly increase the levels of neurotransmitters
that a person has been found to be deficient in. Studies have shown
that it is both safe and effective. These nutrients will cross the
blood brain barrier into the brain where they will be synthesized into
neurotransmitters and this will raise the number of neurotransmitter
molecules needed by the brain. They are prescribed according to the
results of laboratory testing giving the imbalanced person a more
individualized plan of treatment.
Prescription drugs such as antidepressants do not increase the overall
number of neurotransmitter molecules in your brain, they merely move
them around or stop the breakdown. If your levels are too low to start
with, medication may work initially, then “poop out” or not work from
the beginning. There is also the issue of side-effects and more
recently the FDA warning that SSRI antidepressants could cause suicidal
thoughts in some children, teens and adults.
There are specialized nutrient formulas which help antidepressant
medications work more effectively. Under the supervision of a trained
practitioner these treatments may be used in addition to the persons
existing medication to boost their effectiveness or to target another
neurotransmitter that is also causing symptoms. Many antidepressant or
anti-anxiety medications just target one neurotransmitter but many
mental health disorders involve multiple neurotransmitters.
