To understand how best to stimulate the brain, whether it’s playing brain games, learning a new language, or taking up a new sport, it’s important to understand more about neurotransmitters and how the brain functions and learns.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals messengers that jump between neurons carrying certain ‘messages/ instructions’. Certain breakdowns in these pathways can cause all sorts of symptoms from slow mental responses, Brian fog, emotional and sleep changes. The good news is Lifestyle strategies and nutritional compounds can successfully address breakdowns in neurotransmitter pathways.

Although neurotransmitter support can often promote brain health, it should not be viewed as a one-size-fits-all approach that will work for everyone or every condition. Dosing guidance from a qualified professional is imperative.

Dr. Datis Kharrazian in his book “Why my Brain isn’t working” explains…

“Excitation or inhibition from neurotransmitters Neurons are either excitatory or inhibitory when they communicate. In a synapse, excitatory neurons excite their target neurons, and inhibitory neurons inhibit their target neurons. These outcomes are determined by whether the neurotransmitter used in communication is excitatory or inhibitory. The excitatory neurotransmitters are:

• Epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), also commonly known as the “fight or flight” adrenal hormones.

• Dopamine, the “pleasure and reward” neurotransmitter that is produced in large amounts when you fall in love or first engage in addictive behavior, such as smoking, using amphetamines, or gambling.

• Acetylcholine, the “learning and memory” neurotransmitter.

• Serotonin, the “happy” neurotransmitter. Serotonin is commonly associated with feeling calm and relaxed, but technically it is still an excitatory neurotransmitter.

The only inhibitory neurotransmitter is:

• Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, also known as the “anti-anxiety” neurotransmitter. The most popular anti-anxiety medications act on the GABA pathways.

Although an excitatory neurotransmitter such as dopamine is always excitatory, and GABA is always inhibitory, they still can have opposite effects depending on the neuron pathways with which they synapse.

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, many people’s neurons today do not get enough oxygen, glucose, or stimulation and are either too close to or too far from threshold, both of which are symptoms of a degenerating brain. Thus it is important to get it checked out.

 

Symptoms of impaired acetylcholine activity include: 

• Loss of visual and photographic memory  
• Loss of verbal memory 
• Memory lapses 
• Impaired creativity 
• Diminished comprehension 
• Difficulty calculating numbers 
• Difficulty recognizing objects and faces  
• Slowness of mental responsiveness 
• Difficulty with directions and spatial orientation

 

Symptoms of impaired serotonin activity: 

• Loss of pleasure in hobbies and interests  
• Feelings of inner rage and anger  
• Feelings of depression  
• Difficulty finding joy from life pleasures  
• Depression when it is cloudy or when there is lack of sunlight
• Loss of enthusiasm for favorite activities 
• Not enjoying favorite foods 
• Not enjoying friendships and relationships 
• Unable to fall into deep restful sleep

Oestrogen and serotonin 

Oestrogen increases serotonin activity in the brain. With symptoms of high serotonin, excess oestrogen should be considered. Likewise, low oestrogen levels can cause symptoms of low serotonin activity and deficiency.

 

Symptoms associated with GABA imbalances: 

• Feelings of anxiousness or panic for no reason 
• Feelings of dread
• Feelings of inner tension and inner excitability  
• Feelings of being overwhelmed for no reason  
• Restless mind  
• Difficulty turning your mind off when you want to relax  
• Disorganized attention 
• Worry about things you never had thought of before

 

Symptoms of low dopamine: 

• Inability to self-motivate 
• Inability to start or finish tasks  
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Feelings of hopelessness 
• Lose temper for minor reasons 
• Inability to handle stress  
• Anger and aggression while under stress  
• Desire to isolate oneself from others  
• Unexplained lack of concern for family and friends

 

If all this is sounding familiar to you, make sure you get the right advice form a qualified professional.