Neurotransmitters

It is scientific fact that all tissues of the body communicate with one another through the nervous system. The brain is connected to every cell in the body through the nervous system. The signals and messages of the nervous system consist of chemical “runners” who deliver messages to and from the brain. These chemical runners are known as neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters are the runners that race to and from the brain, telling every organ inside of us of us what to do. Neurotransmitters touch the life of every cell. 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.

As a matter of fact, it is estimated that 86% of Americans have suboptimal neurotransmitter levels.

Neurotransmitters are highly influenced by our minds – our emotions, memories, dreams and intuitions. Wherever a thought wants to go, these chemicals must go too, and without them, no thoughts can exist. For without the mind, these runners would never leave the starting line. Our thoughts are like the gunshot that signals these chemical runners to go.

Neurotransmitters and Immunity

Receptors for neurotransmitters and neuropeptides were discovered on cells in the immune system, called monocytes. The monocytes of the immune system travel through the bloodstream, giving them free access to every other cell in the body. They are hardwired with the ability to mirror the nervous system. In fact, if being happy, sad, thoughtful, excited, and so on all require the production of neurotransmitters in our brain cells, then the immune cells must also be happy, sad, thoughtful, excited! Monocytes can be thought of in effect as circulating neurons.

The wonder is that these intelligent chemicals are not only made by the brain, whose function is to think, but by the immune system, whose primary role is to protect us from disease! This further validates the very important role of these chemical messengers that travel and communicate throughout our entire body with the help of the mind. Gives a new insight into the phrase “mind over matter,” doesn’t it?

Neurotransmitters and The Mind

The discovery of neurotransmitters in the 1970′s helped fill the gap that apparently separated the mind and the body. It appears that these brain messengers know where to go, when to go, and how many need to be sent. But how? Intelligence. The human body exhibits an incredible intelligence that is inborn and does not require anyone or anything to teach it how to grow, live or heal. This is what the chiropractic profession terms – Innate
Intelligence . It is your body’s inborn, natural intelligence that is able to grow a full functioning human being from two tiny little cells at conception.

The ability to make neurotransmitters comes from the mind. It is not really the adrenaline molecule that makes a mother rush into a burning building to save her child. It is not an endorphin molecule that protects her from feeling the flames. Love makes her rush in, and single-minded determination protects her from pain. The body responds with these chemical messengers so that the brain can follow and talk to the body.

The vast majority of people have never had these important nervous system “runners” measured, but many people exhibit symptoms related to imbalanced neurotransmitter levels. Remember, it is estimated that 86% of Americans have suboptimal neurotransmitter levels! Symptoms are much broader than the ones listed, but for simplicity, we have listed the most common symptoms associated with imbalances:

• Depression, low mood, mood swings
• Insomnia, sleep disturbances or difficulties
• ADD/ADHD
  
• Difficulty concentrating, focusing or remembering
• Autism
  
• Anxiety, irritability, agitation, tension, panic attacks
• Fatigue, Lack of energy
• Migraines and Headaches
• Weight Issues, food cravings
• PMS or Menopausal symptoms

Why is our society experiencing these symptoms at such an alarming rate? STRESS. STRESS. STRESS. Sources that contribute to neurotransmitter imbalance include:

• Poor diet
• Neurotoxins
  
• Environmental Toxins
• Genetic Predisposition
• Drugs (prescription and recreational)
• Alcohol
• Caffeine

Checking Neurotransmitter Balance

If you have never had your levels checked, I would suggest that you consider doing it. If you are already exhibiting symptoms of neurotranmistter imbalance, I would definitely recommend it. If you are on medication, I HIGHLY recommend having your levels checked as many people do not need dangerous medications. In fact, many drugs (over-the-counter, prescription, and stress drugs), cause neurotransmitter imbalances that drastically interfere with your body’s innate intelligence and ability to heal itself.

Testing is quick, easy, painless and non-invasive. Levels are measured through your urine and testing can be done in the privacy of your own home. For more information, please contact us!

Neurotransmitter Roles in the Body

There are two kinds of neurotransmitters – INHIBITORY and EXCITATORY. Excitatory neurotransmitters are what stimulate the brain and body. 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. Below is a list of both the inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters that we test in our office. Click on each specific neurotransmitter for more information.

EXCITATORY	INHIBITORY
Norepinephrine	Serotonin
Epinephrine	GABA
Dopamine	Glycine
Glutamate	Taurine
Histamine	Agmatine
PEA	5-HIAA
Aspartic Acid