How much do you know about brain health, neurotransmitters, and how it all works? Much of what it means for your brain to be healthy depends on the presence and action of compounds known as neurotransmitters. They are responsible for the transmission of impulses from neuron, (nerve cell), to neuron, and to muscles. This is how your brain signals appropriate responses for your body to make. It is also how your brain forms memories, how thoughts are created, etc.
What happens when you’re faced with a dangerous situation? Your brain signals to your body to increase adrenaline, increase noradrenaline, increase cortisol — fast! Your body is getting ready for you to fight, or take flight.
Unfortunately sometimes your neurotransmitters may get out of whack. You may have too much, or too little of one or the other. This can be due to certain health conditions. It can also cause illness. One of the most studied negative changes in neurotransmitters is associated with depression, which affects millions of people around the world.
What are these neurotransmitters?
GABA
GABA is short for gamma amino butyric acid. It’s one of the brain’s calming neurotransmitters. Without it the brain might not be able to signal that it’s time to get ready for sleep. You would be in a chronic state of fight or flight, a recipe for nervous system burnout. GABA helps relieve anxiety.
Serotonin
Serotonin is another major inhibitory neurotransmitter. It’s sometimes called the master neurotransmitter. That’s because it influences many aspects of our mood and wellbeing, as well as many important biological processes, like hunger and sleep.
Serotonin is also very important as far as our feelings of self worth. Low levels can contribute to depression.
Chronically poor sleep patterns, poor nutrition and elevated inflammation can all result in depression and compulsive behaviors.
Dopamine
Dopamine has inhibitory and stimulatory actions, depending on where it acts. However, it’s commonly thought of as a stimulatory. It is critical in helping us concentrate, and in the brain’s reward centers. Low levels have been associated with a higher incidence of ADHD.
Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that keeps you motivated and interested in something, ultimately responsible for your drive and aggression.
Low levels are associated with lethargy and a general indifference to life. It’s a strong indicator in drug seeking behavior. Illicit drugs act as stimulants, resulting in a massive but short lived dopamine spike. That’s why there is that need to use again and again, as it delivers a reward sensation each time.
Glutamate
Glutamate is an infrequently discussed excitatory neurotransmitter. It plays an important role in learning and memory. Low levels are commonly associated with learning difficulty, and may play a part in the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
Also known as adrenaline and noradrenaline, they are considered hormones as well as neurotransmitters. Epinephrine is produced from norepinephrine. Norepinephrine can positively alter the actions of other cells, boost concentration, motivation, etc. Epinephrine blunts insulin secretion and promotes the use of fatty acids for energy. It may help reduce brain fog due to low blood glucose.
No one neurotransmitter is solely responsible for mood. Although serotonin is strongly associated with depression and constant feelings of withdrawal, dopamine plays an important role in wellbeing.
Now guess what? Your body knows what to do, but you have to consciously make the right choices. To maintain and optimize neurotransmitter levels, which will help you experience consistent moods and better brain health, start with a good diet, exercise and sufficient sleep.
You can learn a lot more about your brain, how it works, and how to make it better. Read my book…
