Neurotransmitters are messengers in our brain. They are part of the nervous system - responding to electrical impulses, transferring these into chemicals and back to electricity to continue signaling. This means our levels of these are a major factor determining how we act and think. NTs are proteins and if we want to consistently think, act and feel balanced, it is imperative to replace them when we eat.
There are two categories neurotransmitters can fall into: inhibitory and excitatory. Inhibitory means an action is stopped or slowed down whereas excitatory means it is increased.
Some neurotransmitters are classified as hormones. They are still part of the signaling group but come from a different system (the endocrine system) being released from various areas in the body into the bloodstream.
What does it do?
- it is responsible for communication between neurons, memory and attention.
What is it made from?
- choline and acetyl coA.
Why am I deficient?
- it could be due to oxidative stress, insulin resistance or mitochondrial dysfunction.
What are the signs?
- if you are having memory loss from age/stress.
- if you have any family history of dementia.
Inhibitory
What does it do?
- responsible for satiety, happiness and system stability.
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What is it made from?
- tryptophan & intestinal cells.
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Why am I deficient?
- it could be chronic stress, dysbiosis or low vitamin B3 levels.
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What are the signs?
- if you are depressed or hyper-vigilant.
- if you have a high appetite or panic attacks.
What does it do?
- responsible for the feeling of relaxation and calm.
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What is it made from?
- glutamate.
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Why am I deficient?
- it could be low vitamin B6 /progesterone levels or high methionine/cortisol levels.
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What are the signs?
- if you are anxious.
- if you have insomnia, seizures or schizophrenia.
What does it do?
- responsible for the feeling of enjoyment, pleasure, motivation.
- regulates body movement.
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What is it made from?
- tyrosine.
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Why am I deficient?
- it could be a brain chemistry imbalance, low protein consumption or rapid weight loss.
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What are the signs?
- if you are restless, impulsive or kick in your sleep.
- if you have ADHD or Parkinson's.
Excitatory
What does it do?
- responsible for extreme fight/flight situations.
- increases fat breakdown & blood to skeletal muscles.
- decreases blood to digestive tract.
- suppresses immune system.
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What is it made from?
- dopamine.
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Why do I have excess?
- it could be chronic stress.
What does it do?
- responsible for excitability, pain perception & brain signal transmission.
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What is it made from?
- body cells & from foods (MSG).
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Why do I have excess?
- it could be over-consumption of glutamine-containing foods.
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What are the signs?
- if you have migraines, seizures, nerve pain, Parkinson's or ALS.
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What does it do?
- responsible for fight/flight situations, memory & learning.
- increases blood pressure.
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What is it made from?
- dopamine.
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Why do I have excess?
- it could be chronic stress.
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What does it do?
- responsible for sleep regulation.
- supports libido.
- an anti-oxidant.
- decreases cortisol.
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What is it made from?
- serotonin.
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Where is it made?
- in the pineal gland.
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Why am I deficient?
- it could be low serotonin or tryptophan levels.
- not sleeping in complete darkness.
- electro-magnetic radiation.
- the menopause.
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What are the signs?
- if you have insomnia or jet-lag.
What does it do?
- long-term stress response (real/imaginary).
- maintains regular blood pressure.
- increases abdominal fat storage.
- decreases inflammation, muscle & cell repair and insulin sensitivity.
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What is it made from?
- cholesterol.
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Where is it made?
- in the adrenals (on top of kidneys).
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Why do I have excess?
- it could be chronic stress & no relaxation.
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