When the Austrian scientist Otto Loewi discovered the first neurotransmitter in 1921 his excitement was enormous. Otto was only the first to discover the gigantic impact that Neurotransmitters have on the human body. You may be asking, what are Neurotransmitters and why are they so important to my health and well being?
Neurotransmitters are the naturally occurring chemicals that transmit messages between nerve cells in your brain and throughout the entire nervous system. They are responsible for your mood, energy, and appetite and are necessary for every function your body performs. Proper levels of neurotransmitters are essential for stable moods, normal appetite and eating patterns, adequate sleep cycles, optimal energy, and the ability to be productive and learn.
Now imagine that you didn’t have the right levels of Neurotransmitters. What might that be like? Well, most of us experience not having enough Neurotransmitters every day! It shows up when we are depressed, tired, stressed, cannot focus, when we eat too much. Neurotransmitters “control” everything from our mood and disposition to how tired or awake we feel, they “control” our entire brain and body chemistry. Clearly these things are important! Our Austrian scientist, could not have possibility imagined that what he discovered almost a century ago would have come to such a revolutionary place. Since then over 183 neurotransmitters have been identified and many more are waiting to be discovered. The ones best understood are serotonin and catecholamines, which includes norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine. Each neurotransmitter affects mood and energy differently. For example, some are responsible for raising energy while others are calming:
- Serotonin – the master neurotransmitter. A molecule of happiness. It is found all over the body, with large concentration (95%) in digestive track and is necessary to balance the levels of the stress hormones. Serotonin is a precursor of melatonin, the hormone that is release at night, when you are asleep. Serotonin also regulates mood and appetite.
- Dopamine – neurotransmitter of pleasure and pain, acts on the sympathetic nervous system producing effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, and is necessary for mental alertness, relaxation, pain relief and happiness. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is believed to be caused by a deficiency of dopamine.
- Norepinephrine - also known as a noradrenaline. A hormone – neurotransmitter release by adrenal glands in response to perceived threat. High levels of this hormone result in anxiety and insomnia. Norepinephrine also regulates metabolic processes (heart beat, blood pressure), calmness, relaxation and focus.
- Epinephrine – also known as adrenalin. A “fight or flight” hormone - neurotransmitter secreted by the adrenal and released into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress, as from fear or injury. It initiates many bodily responses, including the stimulation of heart action and an increase in blood pressure, metabolic rate, and blood glucose concentration. Helps with focus, attention and productivity.
Please Contact our office at (214) 783-8721 to find out haw we can assist you with your needs. For more science info about neurotransmitters and “Amino Acid Therapy” please visit www.neuroassist.com
