Brain Activation Factors - Neurotransmitters

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. 

v Norepinephrine 

          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

To sum up, neurotransmitters are chemicals that allow the nerves to communicate with each other, and thus, regulate the various functions of the body. There are two types of neurotransmitters namely Inhibitory Neurotransmitters and Excitatory Neurotransmitters. A substantially high or low level of these chemicals can alter the functions of the entire nervous system.