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Balancing Your Brain Chemistry: Treating Neurotransmitter Imbalances

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Balancing Your Brain Chemistry: Treating Neurotransmitter Imbalances

What’s A Neurotransmitter?

Neurotransmitters are molecules that regulate brain function. They are chemicals which relay messages from nerve to nerve both within the brain and outside the brain. They also relay messages from nerve to muscle, lungs, and intestinal tracts. They can accentuate emotion, thought processes, joy, elation and also fear, anxiety, insomnia and that terrible urge to over indulge in food, alcohol, drugs, etc. 

In short, neurotransmitters are used all over the body to transmit information and signals. They are manufactured and used by neurons (nerve cells) and are release into the synaptic clefts between the neurons.

These brain chemicals communicate information throughout our brain and body. They relay signals between nerve cells, called “neurons.” The brain uses neurotransmitters to tell your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, and your 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. As a matter of fact, it is estimated that 86% of Americans have suboptimal neurotransmitter levels.  Stress, poor diet, neurotoxins, genetic predisposition, drug (prescription and recreational), alcohol and caffeine usage can cause these levels to be out of optimal range.

There are two kinds of neurotransmitters – INHIBITORY and EXCITATORY. Excitatory neurotransmitters are not necessarily exciting – they are what stimulate the brain. Those that calm the brain and help create balance are called inhibitory. Inhibitory neurotransmitters balance mood and are easily depleted when the excitatory neurotransmitters are overactive.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

  • SEROTONIN is an inhibitory neurotransmitter – which means that it does not stimulate the brain.  Adequate amounts of serotonin are necessary for a stable mood and to balance any excessive excitatory (stimulating) neurotransmitter firing in the brain.  If you use stimulant medications or caffeine in your daily regimen – it can cause a depletion of serotonin over time.  Serotonin also regulates many other processes such as carbohydrate cravings, sleep cycle, pain control and appropriate digestion.  Low serotonin levels are also associated with decreased immune system function.
  • GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that is often referred to as “nature’s VALIUM-like substance”.  When GABA is out of range (high or low excretion values), it is likely that an excitatory neurotransmitter is firing too often in the brain.  GABA will be sent out to attempt to balance this stimulating over-firing.
  • DOPAMINE is a special neurotransmitter because it is considered to be both excitatory and inhibitory.  Dopamine helps with depression as well as focus, which you will read about in the excitatory section.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

  • DOPAMINE is our main focus neurotransmitter.  When dopamine is either elevated or low – we can have focus issues such as not remembering where we put our keys, forgetting what a paragraph said when we just finished reading it or simply daydreaming and not being able to stay on task.  Dopamine is also responsible for our drive or desire to get things done – or motivation.  Stimulants such as medications for ADD/ADHD and caffeine cause dopamine to be pushed into the synapse so that focus is improved.  Unfortunately, stimulating dopamine consistently can cause a depletion of dopamine over time.
  • NOREPINEPHRINE is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is responsible for stimulatory processes in the body.  Norepinephrine helps to make epinephrine as well.  This neurotransmitter can cause ANXIETY at elevated excretion levels as well as some “MOOD DAMPENING” effects.  Low levels of norepinephrine are associated with LOW ENERGY, DECREASED FOCUS ability and sleep cycle problems.
  • EPINEPHRINE is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is reflective of stress.  This neurotransmitter will often be elevated when ADHD like symptoms are present.  Long term STRESS or INSOMNIA can cause epinephrine levels to be depleted (low).  Epinephrine also regulates HEART RATE and BLOOD PRESSURE.

How do we measure neurotransmitters?

Normally the neurotransmitter is released in response to an electric signal. After binding to the receptor site on the second neuron, the chemical is then recycled. However, only about 60% of the neurotransmitter is recycled. The rest is carried away in the blood stream and excreted in the urine. We can measure urinary levels of neurotransmitters, and get a good idea of their levels within the body.

We measure neurotransmitters directly. It has been found that blood and saliva levels are not particularly useful. Some of the neurotransmitters, epinephrine in particular, have wildly fluctuating levels depending on the person’s sate of mind. (If we are approaching them with a needle to draw blood, the levels will be very high within a few seconds, so blood levels do not give us a picture of the person’s rising neurotransmitter levels.)

Urine levels seem to be representative of what is actually going on in the system.

When we see low urinary levels we can be sure that the body’s stores are low. When we see high urinary levels, the issue is more confusing. In over 90% of cases we can be sure that although levels are apparently high, this only relates to biological activity of the hormone. In actual fact, the total body stores are almost certainly low.

We see this particularly in people who are taking antidepressant medication, especially serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Prozac and Paxil. These medications prevent the nerve cells from taking Serotonin back out of the system (hence the name, re-uptake inhibitors).

However, since the levels are high at the synaptic junction, the body thinks that the levels are high overall, and makes every effort to get rid of as much serotonin as possible. Since the neurotransmitters are excreted in the urine, we therefore see high urinary levels. Not only does the body try to get rid of the neurotransmitters, it also stops making them, in an effort to reduce the levels at the synaptic junction. In the long run, total body stores are depleted, and eventually the urine levels will fall.

Highly depressed moody people are extremely low in serotonin and norepinephrine, but will probably have high urinary levels because they are losing so much at any given point in time.

If they have insomnia, it is likely that their dopamine and/or PEA levels is high.

Highly agitated anxious irritated people will probably have high epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine, and relatively low serotonin levels. They may also have markedly elevated PEA levels.

In addition, the sex hormones influence multiple neurotransmitters. Estrogen has an anti-dopamine effect, in addition to inducing the formation of new synapses.

Progesterone increases the effect of GABA and reduces neurotransmitter activity. Estradiol decreases the level of the enzyme which inactivates the serotonin and dopamine (monoamine oxidase, MAO), thus effectively increases the effects of serotonin and dopamine, where progesterone decreases their effects.

DHEA enhances the effect of serotonin and norepinephrine, thus it enhances cognitive function and reduces depression. Cortisol inhibits the release of catecholamines, and increases the effect of GABA, thus reducing anxiety.

TREATING NEUROTRANSMITTER IMBALANCES:

  1. We can increase our dietary intake of tryptophan. American diets tend to be high in carbohydrate and low in protein.
  2. We can increase our amount of exercise. Exercise leads to more efficient use of insulin, thus reducing insulin resistance and decreasing the amount of food which is stored as fat. When the cells process nutrients better, they make neurotransmitters better.
  3. Reduce our intake of caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine makes the body think is it under stress, which raises the cortisol level, raises the insulin level, and causes carbohydrates to be deposited as fat.  Alcohol will deplete seretonin levels over time.
  4. Make sure that blood chemistry is in balance.
  5. We can supplement the needed amino acids and cofactors,so that the body can make the required neurotransmitters.

MIMICS OF DEPRESSION:

  • Hypothyroidism can cause a picture similar to depression, and is easily correctable.
  • Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies can also cause a depression like mimic.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.   The information in this article is not intended to replace any recommendations or relationship with your physician.  Please review references sited at end of article for scientific support of any claims made.

Category: Brain HealthBy Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCPAugust 16, 201115 Comments
Tags: amino acidsanxietybrain chemistrydepressiondopamineepinephrinegabainsomniamoodneurotransmittersnorepinephrineseretoninsleepWeight Loss
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Author: Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP

https://www.jillcarnahan.com/

Dr. Jill is Your Functional Medicine Expert! She uses functional medicine to help you find answers to the cause of your illness and addresses the biochemical imbalances that may be making you feel ill. She'll help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual. She may use diet, supplements, lifestyle changes or medication to treat your illness but will seek the most gentle way to help your body restore balance along with the least invasive treatment possible. Dr. Jill is a functional medicine expert consultant and treats environmental and mold-related illness as well

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15 Comments

  1. WealthyLife says:
    August 24, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    Thoroughly enjoyed this post…lots of great information! Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Rebecca Hill says:
    March 19, 2015 at 11:59 am

    No, it’s not easy to fix the thyroid. Doctors have no clue how to even read labs and most don’t even test RT3!!! I know this from years of experience. I still, after 15 years, have hypothyroidism and finally gave up on treating and doctors.

    Reply
    • Abdullah says:
      July 16, 2021 at 1:06 am

      There is a book “Healing is Voltage” by Dr. Jerry Tennant which deals with this subject in detail. Look for it. I hope it will benefit you. If you would like to try Ayurveda as an alternative treatment, I can assist you in this regard.

      Reply
  3. Brigit says:
    March 20, 2015 at 10:37 am

    Dr. Jill, can you recommend an amino acid supplement?

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      March 20, 2015 at 10:56 am

      Sure! I use Thorne Amino Complex 1 scoop mixed with water 1-2 X daily. You can order direct from Thorne Research with physician code: HCP1004064

      Reply
  4. Pingback: Neurotransmitters – The Elixir
  5. Nitin says:
    October 17, 2016 at 2:31 pm

    Dr jill, i read your wrting its nice. Dr its been almost 11 years i have ocd. Last year it was critical again so on dr advised i took seretonin then left i am living life with ocd and used to take sleeping pills daily night. 5 months ago i left sleeping pills which i was taking from 8 years. And life change completely yes i was happy i left sleeping pills but due ocd if i am not wrong i living a different type of life infact this thing was then also when i use to take sleeping pills but from 4/5 things my brain remain unsatisfy for minor things my brain just don’t let go small things for ex i speak any thing again & again just to satisfy me i knows i can speak every and earlier things remain in my brain and i stays okay but now i kept saying anything again & again. And likewise i do nonsense things but unable to control my head. From may 2014 i started doing calculations repeatedly. And now things are very very bad.
    I think all problem started from childhood and now at thisage of 36 yrs its an ongoing process of brain disorders. Should be neurotransmitter imbalance . Dr what you thing to save my brain. I am hearing handicapped guy. Have severe hearing loss in both ears. Still not settled i mean i don’t have business / job. Not even married. And i have this mess. Would be happy to have your consideration for free. If mine neurotransmitter are too corupt what should i do.
    Thanks a lot.

    Reply
    • Mahmoud says:
      October 13, 2017 at 3:11 pm

      Hi Nittin, I Hope you are alright, one year after your message.. I’m not a doctor myself but I know some of what you are describing.. Maybe you feel like trapped in a loop.. you have no clue how to exit your pains, your anxiety.. You are searching something to hold on and help you out. The problem is that your feelings when you are anxious (by chemistry imbalance) are playing against you and making your situation worse, making you more anxious.. First thing you have to do is : to hold on to something, emotionally.. Something stable, safe.. something that makes you feel deep and good.. Think about this as your starting point to regain your balance again.. Search for that point every time you are lost in your anxiety, this will be your temple.. And then you should believe that you can reverse the imbalance that your life style has created in your brain chemistry by working on your same lifestyle and your nutrition (brain foods especially) and your moods which you should learn to control.. music, imagination, writing, art, meditation, humor, sport, sunlight, good friends, safe family environment, exploring new things, new places, positive thoughts, hope, hope, hope (3 times) and confidence ten times .. all of these things you can use to control your mood and make a balanced environment for your brain to let him start reorganizing his dynamics.. One last thing : You have no reason to stress yourself about success, money, marriage, just do these things for yourself if you like to, and you don’t have to be perfect

      Reply
      • Harriett Bean says:
        June 19, 2019 at 1:10 pm

        Thank you for your contribution to help Nitin, Mahmoud. I notice that these high-earning doctors care about nobody who is not paying their exhorbitant fees for treatment. They are greedy exploiters of the sick and distressed.

        Reply
  6. Pingback: Why Depression Strikes and How It Affects Your Brain?
  7. Pingback: Chemistry culminating journal – Len’s project
  8. Claudia says:
    December 22, 2018 at 4:26 am

    Hi Dr, I thoroughly enjoyed your interview regarding MCAS and CIRS with Dr Gupta (my sons Dr). My son who is 11 has been diagnosed with autism with intellectual disability/Lyme/PANDAS/and CIRS. The Shoemaker protocol has not made a huge difference to his functioning and we have known for some time that Benadryl seems to help his motor tics. Another big clue perhaps is that he hugely reacts to high Amine foods such as ripe banana and avocado. His speech will completely drop off and hand movements increase exponentially. I suspect a MonoAmine Oxidase Deficiency – perhaps from his mould exposure early in life or did a deficiency make him more prone to CIRS? Coincidentally we tried Respen-A about 7 years ago with dr Woeller but I believe this may have been just a homeopathic dose. I don’t know where to go from here and feeling very overwhelmed trying to figure out how best to help my son. Any suggestions extremely welcome. Thank you Dr.

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      January 2, 2019 at 11:11 pm

      Hi Claudia
      yes, you may want to see one of the MCAS specialists, like Lawrence Afrin –
      Warmly
      Dr. Jill

      Reply
  9. CLINTON CUNNINGHAM says:
    July 6, 2019 at 6:08 am

    It’s amazing what physical activity and weight loss can do for our brain chemistry. Everything stated here about insulin resistance, lack of exercise ,and obesity are real in my world. I corrected my lifestyle and that corrected my brain chemistry. Started out early in life on lithium, then antidepressants, and later on, antipsychotics….everything worked for a while then side effects took over and a new drug would be given. Diet and exercise was my cure!!!

    Reply
  10. Pingback: ADHD si ”sindromul cercetatorului englez” – Cafe Gradiva

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Dr. Jill will help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual.
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