Brain
Activation Factors- Neurotransmitters
Introduction
Neurotransmitters are the brain chemicals that communicate information throughout
our brain and body. They relay signals between nerve cells, called
“neurons.” The brain uses neurotransmitters to tell our heart to beat,
our lungs to breathe, and our stomach to digest. They can also affect
mood, sleep, concentration, weight, and can cause adverse symptoms when they
are out of balance. Neurotransmitter levels can be depleted many ways. Stress,
poor diet, neurotoxins, genetic predisposition, drugs (prescription and
recreational), alcohol and caffeine usage can cause these levels to be out of
optimal range.
Neurotransmitters
Neurons (nerve cells) are not in direct
contact with each other; in order to communicate with each other, they rely on
highly specialized chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are
chemical messengers that coordinate the transmission of signals from one nerve cell
(neuron) to the next. These all important brain chemicals interact with target
sites called receptors located throughout the brain (and body) to regulate a
wide variety of processes including emotions, fear, pleasure, joy, anger, mood,
memory, cognition, attention, concentration, alertness, energy, appetite,
cravings, sleep, and the perception of pain.
Additionally, neurotransmitters
chemically link the brain and spinal cord with the rest of our body: muscles,
organs, and glands. Thus, our brain is not only an array of wires (nerve
cells/neurons) but also a highly evolved chemical soup (neurotransmitters).
Neurotransmitters
affect every cell, tissue, and system in our body. And because
neurotransmitters are functionally integrated with the immune system and the
endocrine system (including the adrenal glands), neurotransmitter imbalances
can cause widespread health problems.
Types of Neurotransmitters
There are two kinds of neurotransmitters - Inhibitory Neurotransmitters and Excitatory Neurotransmitters
Ø The Inhibitory (Calming) Neurotransmitters:
The neurotransmitters that calm the
brain and help create balance are called inhibitory neurotransmitters.
Inhibitory neurotransmitters balance mood and are easily depleted when the excitatory
neurotransmitters are overactive.
The Inhibitory System comprises mainly
GABA and serotonin and serves to, among other things, "cool" the
central nervous system.
v GABA (Gamma
amino butyric acid)
It is the major inhibitory/calming neurotransmitter in the
central nervous system. It is often considered to act as "mother nature's
Xanax." Indeed, it is through the GABA system that most sedatives,
prescription sleep aids, and tranquilizers work. It helps the neurons
recover after firing and thereby reduces anxiety, worry, and fretfulness.
In addition, GABA regulates nor epinephrine, adrenaline, dopamine, and
serotonin, it is a significant mood modulator.
The extra GABA may "calm"
things down but can lead to unwanted effects such as sluggishness, sleepiness,
and brain fog. Too little GABA, on the other hand, can be associated with
high anxiety, impulsivity, inability to handle stress, restlessness, and
irritability.
v Serotonin
The other major inhibitory
neurotransmitter, serotonin, is deemed to be the master neurotransmitter.
Serotonin imbalance is one of the most often cited contributors to depression
and other mood disorders. It is also intimately tied to many biological
processes such as sleep, appetite, pain, digestion, and generalized well-being.
Serotonin is critical to feelings of self-worth and happiness and helps protect
against both depression and anxiety.
Sustain levels of high stress, lack of
sleep, poor nutrition, inflammation, genetic mutations, and certain prescription
medications can slowly erode the levels of serotonin leading to depression,
worry, insomnia, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, carbohydrate
cravings and exaggerated response to pain.
Ø The Excitatory (Stimulating) Neurotransmitters:
Excitatory neurotransmitters
are not necessarily exciting – they are what stimulate the brain. The two
principle stimulating neurotransmitters are dopamine and nor epinephrine.
v Dopamine
Dopamine functions
as both an inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter depending upon where in
the brain and at which particular receptor site it binds to. Adequate dopamine
levels are needed to allow us to focus our attention in the moment and attend
to matters at hand. Dopamine is the main player in regulating our reward
circuitry and pleasure centers (hence dopamine's role in addictions).
This all important brain chemical is also critical for memory and motor skills.
Dopamine is responsible for motivation, interest,
and drive. It is associated with positive stress states such as being
in love, exercising, listening to music, and sex. Dopamine is also involved in
muscle control and function.
Problems can ensue if dopamine is too high or too low.
For example, dramatically elevated levels, the so-called "dopamine
storm," can be associated with hallucinations, delusions, agitation,
mania, and frank psychosis. When we don't have enough of it we don't feel
alive, we have difficulty initiating or completing tasks, poor concentration,
no energy, and lack of motivation. Low Dopamine levels can drive us to use
drugs (self medicate), alcohol, smoke cigarettes, gamble, and/or overeat. Low dopamine
can cause memory, concentration, and attention problems.
Stimulants such as prescription medications
for ADD/ADHD, caffeine, and some street drugs temporarily address symptoms of
low dopamine by pushing our existing (but dwindling) supply into the space
between two neurons (synpase). This kind of approach can in the short run
improve symptoms but if continued for any length of time inhibit natural
transmission and actually cause/hasten dopamine depletion.
Norepinephrine,
also known as Nor-Adrenaline, is widely distributed throughout the brain and
body. It operates as a neuromodulator that boosts the function of many different
cell types to optimize our brain's performance. This is accomplished via
two modes of norepinephrine release: burst and tonic firing. Through burst
firing, norepinephrine takes part in our ancient and elegant fight-or-flight
survival mechanism providing rapid and accurate assessment of danger and
opportunity. Excessive burst firing of norepinephrine, logically,
especially if no actual life threatening danger exists, can leave you anxious, vigilant, hyperactive, miseable, and
annoying to be around.
Conversely, tonic low grade norepinephrine firing exerts beneficial effects
on sleep, sustainable concentration, stress resilience, inflammation, and many
other important biological processes. Too little tonic firing of norepinephrine
can leave you flat, apathetic, foggy, unmotivated, fatigued, miserable, and no
fun to be around.
v Epinephrine
Epinephrine also known as adrenaline is a neurotransmitter
and hormone essential to metabolism. It regulates attention, mental focus,
arousal, and cognition. It also inhibits insulin excretion and raises the
amounts of fatty acids in the blood. Epinephrine is made from norepinephrine
and is released from the adrenal glands. Low levels have been can result in
fatigue, lack of focus, and difficulty losing weight. High levels have been
linked to sleep problems, anxiety and ADHD.
v Glutamate
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the
brain. It is required for learning and memory. Low levels can lead to tiredness
and poor brain activity. Increased levels of glutamate can cause death to the
neurons (nerve cells) in the brain. Dysfunction in glutamate levels are involved in many neurodegenerative
diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and
Tourette's. High levels also contribute to Depression, OCD, and Autism.
v
Histamine
Histamine is most commonly known for
it's role in allergic reactions
but it is also involved in neurotransmission and can affect your emotions and
behavior as well. Histamine helps control the sleep-wake cycle and promotes the
release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. High histamine levels have been
linked to obsessive compulsive tendencies, depression, and headaches.Low
histamine levels can contribute to paranoia, low libido, fatigue, and
medication sensitivities.
v PEA (beta-phenylethylamine)
PEA is an excitatory neurotransmitter made from
phenylalanine. It is important in focus and concentration. PEA has unique rapid uplifting effects on
mood, mental activity, attention, motivation, alertness, creativity, awareness,
energy, stamina, physical activity, pleasurable feelings, sexuality, and
sensory perceptions. High levels are observed in individuals experiencing
"mind racing", sleep problems, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Low PEA is
associated with difficulty paying attention or thinking clearly, and in
depression.
Ø Other
Neurotransmitters
v Acetylcholine
This
neurotransmitter was discovered in the year 1921, by Otto Loewi. It is mainly
responsible for stimulating muscles. It activates the motor neurons that
control the skeletal muscles. It is also concerned with regulating the
activities in certain areas of the brain, which are associated with attention,
arousal, learning, and memory. People with Alzheimer's disease are usually
found to have a substantially low level of acetylcholine.
v Endorphins
Endorphins are the neurotransmitters that resemble opioid compounds, like opium, morphine, and heroin in structure. The effects of endorphins on the body are also quite similar to the effects produced by the opioid compounds. In fact, the name 'endorphin' is actually the short form for 'endogenous morphine'.
Like opioids, endorphins can reduce pain, stress, and promote calmness and serenity. The opioid drugs produce similar effects by attaching themselves to the endorphin receptor sites. In addition to decreased feelings of pain, secretion of endorphins leads to feelings of euphoria, modulation of appetite, release of sex hormones, and enhancement of the immune response. With high endorphin levels, we feel less pain and fewer negative effects of stress.
v Melatonin
It is the hormone produced by the pineal gland that also acts as a neurotransmitter. It basically controls the sleep-wake cycle. It is also associated with controlling mood and sexual behavior. The production of melatonin is dependent on light. Light to the retina inhibits the production of melatonin, while darkness has a stimulating effect on its production.
v Nitric Oxide
It
is a gas that acts both as a hormone and neurotransmitter, depending on the
specific requirement. It can cause the blood vessels to dilate, besides
preventing the formation of clots. This in turn, can promote the circulation of
blood. Nitric oxide can increase the level of oxygen in the body, and improve
memory, learning, alertness, and concentration. It is also responsible for
causing the smooth gastrointestinal muscles to relax.
Conclusion
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