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Neurotransmitters – Serotonin and GABA

May 17, 2021

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry information from nerve cell to nerve cell in the brain. These chemical messengers, including serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine work together in the brain to control mood, behavior and emotion. Serotonin is often referred to as the happy drug because it can actually keep people in a positive mood despite the fact that they may be feeling blue and in need of some sunshine. While it is true that people who are in a happy state feel better, the link between happiness and dopamine or norepinephrine is often overlooked. This deficiency in the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine can contribute to the feelings of sadness, hopelessness and despair that occur with depression. The National Institute of Mental Health has determined that these two neurotransmitters are responsible for the depression-related thoughts, emotions and behaviors that people experience.

However, researchers are learning that the relationship between depression and neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine may also exist in the context of another problem common to many Americans today, substance abuse. People suffering from substance abuse often display symptoms similar to clinical depression. One of the most common medications used in treating the clinical condition is called antidepressants or antipsychotic drugs. Although these medications have been shown to successfully treat some cases of depression, they can also lead to a serious imbalance in brain chemistry. When there is a chemical imbalance, the brain must react by creating the opposite reaction or else it will have difficulty functioning properly.

There is an essential level of serotonin that is produced in the brain and is responsible for regulating mood, appetite, temperature and sleep. In the normal functioning of the body, the levels of serotonin tend to be balanced. When there is a shortage of serotonin neurotransmitters affected by depression start to fire at a higher rate and cause problems for the brain to process what is going on. When a person suffers from depression, the imbalance causes them to have problems sleeping, have low appetite and experience hot flashes. The rise in blood pressure as a result of this influx of neurotransmitters is often the cause of other serious ailments related to the heart, including high blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmia.

One of the substances thought to affect serotonin and norepinephrine is epinephrine. This is a hormone created by the adrenal gland and carries oxygen to the muscles and heart. When there is a severe imbalance in the amount of epinephrine in the brain, people who suffer from depression can develop the symptoms of panic disorder, anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders. The chemicals in epinephrine that it causes to be released into the body are also believed to contribute to cases of restless legs syndrome as well as shortness of breath. While it is not known exactly how these chemicals influence depression, researchers have found that patients who suffer from depression also tend to lack of dopamine, an important substance needed to transmit messages from the brain to various parts of the body. These patients also have low levels of energy, which can lead to irritability, which can increase the risk of depression.

GABA is another neurotransmitter affected by the chemical imbalance. This is a naturally occurring chemical that works to control the activity of neurons. It is used by the brain to control emotion, mood and sleep. In some cases, patients with depression have a reduced level of GABA. In addition to affecting your mood, anxiety and other mental health conditions, GABA is believed to contribute to the development of conditions such as restless legs syndrome and migraine headaches.

Neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA are sent across the nerve synapse by receptor neurons. Neurotransmitters act as messengers, passing information from one cell to another. The receptors on these cells send the information along on their journey to other neurons. When the information reaches the target cell, the neurotransmitter sends the signal for the next set of neurons to receive the message.

Neurons in the brain use neurotransmitters to communicate information between cells. Neurons control behavior and can fire in different ways depending on what the messages are. The brain is composed of over a hundred nerve cells, many of which are specialized to perform different functions such as moving information from one region of the brain to another. Without the chemical messengers, the nervous system would cease to function properly.

Neurotransmitters are released in the body when a chemical causes the neurons to fire. When you are feeling sad or depressed, the secretion of neurotransmitter serotonin in your body is increased. This results in a variety of different emotional responses such as sadness, anxiety and sleep disorders. Because some researchers believe that the decrease of serotonin contributes to the development of depression, scientists are researching new methods of treating depression.

Filed Under: Brain Structure

Is Neurotransmitters Introvert?

May 12, 2021

Neurotransmitters are neurotransmitters that carry information from nerve cells to the rest of the body. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers sent and received by neurons within the brain. There are several hundred known neurotransmitters and many of them have crucial roles in the brain. Neurotransmitters are thought to influence behavior and development, but exactly how they do that is not known.

Neurotransmitters can be thought of as the “glue” that connects all the parts of the human brain together. Neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin are involved in pleasure, motivation, learning, memory and movement. Dopamine and norepinephrine are the two neurotransmitters that are most related to behavior. Other neurotransmitters have less important functions, including epinephrine and acetylcholine.

There are many different areas of the brain that mediate activities related to behavior, pleasure, motivation and learning. Dopamine is released when you are excited or happy, and it decreases when you are anxious or fearful. It seems that when dopamine is low, people are more susceptible to depression, anxiety and mood disorders. Some people argue that the relationship between dopamine and depression may be true because of patients who take antidepressants for long periods of time. It has also been hypothesized that a decrease in dopamine may be responsible for some people’s increased risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease.

Neurotransmitters like serotonin are involved in the process of memory and mood. People with high levels of serotonin have been found to be happier and healthier. However, serotonin is not the only neurotransmitter involved in these processes. There are many others like acetylcholine and GABA that are also important. Many people debate which is the more important of the three – serotonin or acetylcholine. The bottom line is that all three are involved in the transmission of nerve impulses and actions.

GABA is one of the oldest neurotransmitters that has been studied in depth in recent years. It has been found to reduce excitability and mood in a healthy individual. It does this by preventing the neurons from firing in rapid succession. The GABA molecules are present in the outer brain cells and synapses and regulate their firing patterns. This makes them ideal for reducing anxiety, depression and other disorders that can be linked with mood disorders.

Acetylcholine is one of the newest discoveries in understanding how neurotransmitters work. It is also commonly referred to as glutamate. Glutamate is one of the neurotransmitters that is thought to cause a sense of pleasure and excitement. In fact, many drugs that are designed to treat depression are high in glutamate and have been shown to be effective in treating the symptoms of depression. However, one problem with glutamate is that it can inhibit the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine. Dopamine is one of the important neurotransmitters that control impulsivity, attention, and happiness.

Neurotransmitters like dopamine are produced by neurons, which are located deep within the brain. When dopamine is released in high levels, it causes an intense feeling of pleasure which is known as a “ravings” response. Many people who suffer from addiction may have difficulties regulating their craving for certain types of food or drinks. This may result in binging episodes where they will repeatedly eat or drink despite their negative consequences.

Neurotransmitters play a vital role in how we think, feel, and behave. If our neurotransmitters are not working correctly then we will be negatively affected. It is often overlooked and under-treated in modern society. However, there are ways to naturally boost neurotransmitters in the brain and alleviate the symptoms of being an introvert. Learning more about how the body produces and uses neurotransmitters will be an essential part of correcting neurological problems that affect many areas of life.

Filed Under: Brain, Brain Structure

Tips For Making Your Brain and Serotonin Feel Good

April 30, 2021

Serotonin is a hormone produced by your pineal gland and is one of the main chemicals that affect your brain chemistry. Scientists know that the brain and serotonin work hand in hand and produce a very strong bond. It has been noted that when the brain’s production of this chemical decreases, then the person tends to feel bad. This is because the brain is telling the body not to feel good.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and the hormones produced by it play a vital role in the brain’s function. The chemicals help the brain to think and make decisions. These decisions usually include what we eat. When the brain and serotonin levels are down then it’s hard for us to feel good. Therefore, we will tend to feel depressed or irritable.

Serotonin is one of the brain chemicals that play a vital role in the brain. It helps the brain to make important decisions and feel good. However, if there is an imbalance then it can also lead to brain dysfunction and hence, we will feel bad.

Some of the other chemicals that help the brain to function are norepinephrine, dopamine, epinephrine, GABA, acetylcholine, serotonin and nor epinephrine. We need all these different chemicals for our brain to work properly. Hence, if the levels of some of these chemicals are low then the brain and serotonin have no way of communicating with each other. So when this happens, then we tend to feel bad. So, some of the best ways to combat this problem is to eat right and take care of the brain.

The good news is that there are certain foods that will boost the level of serotonin and dopamine so that we feel good. For example, the amino acid lysine is found abundantly in blueberries and ginseng. It is essential for those who want to remain healthy, mentally strong and emotionally stable. If we deficient in lysine then we feel bad and our brain gets out of whack.

Similarly, it has been shown that those who take lysine rich fish have better brain function than others who don’t. Similarly, there is a study which has revealed that taking salmon is very beneficial for brain health. Thus, taking these various nutrients are very good options for fighting brain and serotonin deficiencies.

However, if you feel that your brain and serotonin levels are not getting optimum levels for optimal brain functioning, then you can opt for drugs or nutritional supplements. For example, d-serotonin is used by people who want to feel good. It is actually similar to serotonin and is used by the brain to make us feel happy and positive. Hence, it is used by those who are on antidepressants or who want to feel good after a tough time.

Taking brain supplements is also very common these days. You can find many online shops that sell these serotonin and brain supplements at discounted rates. Hence, if you want to stay energetic, alert and mentally strong, then taking brain supplements would do you a lot of good.

Serotonin is also very effective in reducing stress. If you feel yourself under tremendous mental pressure or stress, then you can opt for brain supplements such as serotonin which would make you feel good. It is also known to fight mood swings, insomnia, memory loss and even sleep disorders. Hence, these serotonin brain supplements can be really helpful for you.

The third option is to get vitamin supplementation for brain and serotonin. However, if you are not sure whether you need to take any particular vitamin for brain development, then it is best to consult your doctor. It is always advisable to start with a basic vitamin supplement so that you can get an idea whether you need any additional supplementation. If you do not want to use any vitamins, then you can also consider taking brain herbal supplements like yarrow, Rosemary, goldenseal and even sarsaparilla. These herbs contain vital nutrients that are needed by the brain for healthy functioning.

While you are taking any brain supplements for either serotonin or for brain and growth, it is best to stay away from alcohol. Alcohol greatly affects the production of brain chemicals. It will affect your mood, energy level and other activities of your body. If you want to feel good, then it is recommended that you stay away from alcohol.

To make your brain feel good, you must try to perform your favorite activity. Even if you are just playing with your kids, you can make your brain feel good. Do your favorite leisure activity or read books. Exercise regularly. These three steps would ensure that you feel good every time you walk or move around.

Filed Under: Brain, Brain Structure, Health

Impulsivity Multifaceted, Linked to Serotonin and Dopamine Systems

December 30, 2016

What do you most remember about being eighteen? For me, it is the impulsiveness. Cruising into tattoo parlors and blurting out little-considered ideas for permanent ink designs and various piercings. Jumping off a pier in Greece only to realize I’d have to swim quite far to find an exit, all the while with boats headed my direction. Often speaking before I’d considered my words. It was a time of unmitigated youth – which I now think of as synonymous for poor decision making and routine embarrassment.

I would need quite a few martinis to consider doing many of the things I did without thought or question when I was eighteen. What has changed? Are we simply older and wiser, grown more cautious by our experiences? I would posit that if that were the only mechanism of change, growing up shouldn’t have taken quite so long. An alternative explanation is that the very pathways of our brain chemistry have changed. Impulsiveness, it turns out, has a lot to do with brain chemistry. For those people whose chemistry doesn’t naturally alter with age, impulsiveness can continue long past youthful days.

That is what spurred researchers in the United Kingdom to look into how dopamine and serotonin in the brain impacts impulse control. Dopamine and serotonin are important neurotransmitters. Dopamine is affiliated with pleasure and serotonin is affiliated with mood regulation and, often, with impulse control. The study found that impulse control is more nuanced and multifaceted than often represented. The research suggests that claiming serotonin as the impulse control neurotransmitter is not representative of the wide range of contributors when it comes to regulating our impulses. In particular, there are several dimensions of impulsivity and different dimensions may be governed by different pathways.

They conclude that both serotonin and dopamine systems are likely at work, and that medications relating to these pathways have been pivotal in their contribution to clinical psychology as it relates to impulse control disorders.

Filed Under: Brain Structure

Does Family Income Alter Brain Structure? One Study Says Yes.

December 28, 2016

In the United States there is one idea that is universally cherished – the idea of the American dream. At the heart of this… Does Family Income Alter Brain Structure? One Study Says Yes.

In the United States there is one idea that is universally cherished – the idea of the American dream. At the heart of this construction is the belief that in a free society people are able to pull themselves up through sheer determination. It is the idea that anyone can be the next great entrepreneur, the next celebrity actor or even the next president. In recent years, this ideal has come under attack from a number of corners. Children who aren’t spoken to as often at home, a trend that is more likely to occur in low-income families, enter the traditional education system at a distinct disadvantage. Having heard significantly fewer works, their grasp of language is already below average. This disadvantage compounds over time. Certainly someone who doesn’t need to work through college will have more time to study. Moreover, as they say, it takes money to make money. A person with a padded trust fund can make very different decisions than someone who needs to pay their way through life, or even support family members at a young age.

Most people now agree that it is easier for some people to excel than others. Still, the dream lives on. As long as you work hard to overcome the obstacles of your upbringing, our society embraces upward social and economic mobility. What if, however, growing up poor impacts the very structure of your brain?

A recent study says just that. In a study of 1,0999 children between the ages of 3 and 20 years old, researchers found that even small differences in family income resulted in relatively large differences in cognitive development among poorer children. Small differences mattered less between children who were comparatively well-off. Specifically, the brains of children from poorer families exhibited less surface area. The poorer the child, the smaller the surface area. As hurdles go, this is a stunningly major one, lending credence to the idea that our nation’s youth should be better protected from the consequences of poverty.

Filed Under: Brain Structure

The ABCs of Astrocytes

December 24, 2016

The central nervous system (CNS) is arguably the most important part of the human body. It includes the brain and the spinal cord.

The central nervous system (CNS) is arguably the most important part of the human body. It includes the brain and the spinal cord. The brain is widely believed to be where all our thought originate. It compares and contrasts. It strings together words and paragraphs. It helps us to understand and communicate with the world around us. Given the complexity of this remarkable organ, it is hardly surprising that we are still uncovering its secrets. One such secret is the important role of astrocytes.

The brain isn’t only occupied by neurons. Glial cells are also a local inhabitant. Though long thought to be little more than the neurons’ sidekicks, we now know that glial cells are a crucial component of CNS operations. Astrocytes are one of four identified glial cells in the CNS. Two additional varieties hang out in the periphery nervous system.

Astrocytes are essential for maintaining homeostasis in the CNS. They also play a role In brain defense and rejuvenation. Their malfunction or retardation contributes to cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disease. The percentage of poorly performing astrocytes, like neurodegenerative diseases, increases with age. Their atrophy has been linked to the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. In later stages, reactive astrocytes are associated with neurite plaques in several regions of the brain.

As is often the case, understanding the mechanisms that lead to problems is the first step in solving the problems. If atrophy of astrocytes is associated with the first stages of neurodegenerative disease, and then reactive astrocytes are associated with later stages of the illness, they may be a good target for treatments. Luckily, astrocytes are known to respond well to environmental stimulation and also to medication. This may also help to explain why staying mentally active is thought to ward of some types of neurodegenerative diseases. If you can keep your astrocytes healthy, they may help keep your entire brain in tip-top condition, or at least help you remember where you put your keys.

Filed Under: Brain Structure

Learning from Cerebral Organoids

December 18, 2016

Cerebral organoids are arguably the coolest thing happening in neuroscience. It all starts with pluripotent stem cells – which are an amazing advancement in…

Cerebral organoids are arguably the coolest thing happening in neuroscience. It all starts with pluripotent stem cells – which are an amazing advancement in their own right. These are adult cells that have been genetically modified to behave as stem cells. Ever wonder why the debate over the ethical ramifications of using embryotic stem cells ended? Pluripotent stem cells are the answer. They have the ability, and flexibility, to grow into any type of adult cell, rendering the necessity of using embryonic stem cells obsolete in many instances.

The pluripotent stem cells are then used to grow teeny tiny tissue samples, in our case brain-like tissue samples, in vitro. The idea is that a simplistic model of the tissues and cells of the brain in a petri dish is much easier to study than the real thing – a complicated mesh of tissue and blood pulsating underneath a protective skull. According of a recent study highlighting the many potential uses of cerebral organoids: “Cerebral organoids contain many of the cell types found in embryonic cerebral cortex, organized in a similar way.” In addition, since these organoids have been grown from human stem cells, they may shed light on pathways and processes that differ between rodents – which are often the animals of choice in neurological research – and primates.

Cerebral organoids are already being used to bolster human health research. In order to study the impact of the Zika virus on the human brain, researchers injected the virus into brain-like organoids. The results were largely as expected: the infected tissues grew to be 40 percent smaller than the control tissue. Given the simplistic nature of, and easy access to, these infected organoids scientists were able to identify cell death as a mechanism of the virus and even pinpoint specific genes and pathways thought to be involved. This level of understanding could not have been achieved as quickly without using cerebral organoids as models.

Filed Under: Brain Structure

Let’s Talk About Your Brain

August 31, 2014

Not just about what it does or what it feels. Let’s talk about what is physically inside of your skull – that pinkish mass of electrodes and other goodies that is allowing you to read this article right now.

What does your brain look like?

Your brain is soft. It’s squishy. In fact, if you were to touch a brain, you would see how soft it is. It isn’t hard at all. Everything in your brain is really important so it is covered by a sheath of fat and that sheath makes up about 10% of the brain itself. This is called myelin and it is what makes it possible for electrical impulses to travel quickly inside your brain.

Your brain is inside your skull because it needs to be protected. The brain has two halves and is surprisingly heavy for what it is, because it is packed with lots of cells. We don’t actually know why the brain is in two halves – all we know about it is that the two halves are used for slightly different things but always communicate with one another.

The brain is also folded within itself. Scientists believe that the reason that they brain is so wrinkly is because the skull may just be too small to house the brain. Wrinkles aren’t a mark of how much you have learned, they actually develop when a fetus is still in the womb and don’t change. What does change as you learn other things is your brain’s plasticity.

The brain needs to be exercised and it is very similar to the rest of the body in a lot of ways. Although it is in charge of a lot and uses about 20% of our energy, it is still a muscle that you need to look after. You don’t have to just do brain training exercises, though. Being in love, listening to music, learning an instrument and exercising are all ways to keep your brain in top shape for as long as possible.

Filed Under: Brain Structure

Would you become ‘Lucy’ if you could use 100% of your brain?

August 28, 2014

The premise behind the blockbuster Summer movie Lucy is simple and a little out there.

What if we could use more than 10% of our brains?

Would you become telepathic, suddenly be able to read other languages and choose not to feel pain? Lucy can.

The problem is that the brain doesn’t really work like that. Think of your brain as a finely-tuned piano. On the piano, if you press down one key, then another, then another, you start making a melody. Your neurons are what allows for this to happen – pressing all keys at once would not sound very nice, right?

Your brain is like a really complex instrument.

There are lots of things that your brain is doing at one time. While you are reading this article, your brain is also in charge of your breathing, of the way that your hair feels on your skin, of telling you how hungry, upset, calm or curious you are. Your brain is doing lots of things at the same time at all times, even when you are sleeping.

Most of your brain is active all the time. You probably don’t use the same part of the brain to work out as you do to loaf around on the couch and watch Netflix, but generally you have used all of your brain after a twenty four hour period. More complex task take more effort from the brain and therefore use more parts at the same time – writing a story, painting a painting or learning to drive, for instance, are all very complex tasks that make your brain work hard.

How do we know that we use more than 10% of the brain?

You don’t have to take my word for it. Unfortunately, some people who have suffered head trauma or brain injuries stop being able to do certain things. If you only used 10% of your brain and you hit the front of your head, then how could it possibly affect you when you still have the 90% bit of unused brain leftover?

Another one is how your brain works. The myth of the 10% indicates that everything is one single mass and everything takes place in one part of the brain or the other. This is a misunderstanding of how the brain works. There are distinct regions in the brain that are there to process certain types of information, and communicate between each other. We don’t really understand the brain that much yet, but from what we do know, it’s enormously complex – like a super highway in your head.

The brain is also incredibly taxing. Did you know that your brain takes way more oxygen and nutrients to function than any of your other organs? It’s 2% of your body weight and it still needs that much. By this point, if this was unnecessary, we would probably all have smaller brains.

Lastly, there have been brain scans that show that your brain is always active. There is never a part of the brain that isn’t functioning at all.

You already use 100% of your brain. Unfortunately, you won’t ever be able to read a different language if you don’t learn how to first, and you probably won’t harness the power of telekinesis.

Filed Under: Brain Structure

Scientists Unlock “Brain Pill” But Will It Be Banned?

August 7, 2014

Welcome To The Future

A new advanced brain supplement is sending shock-waves through the medical community. Major pharmacy companies are scrambling because they have zero control over this “Un-regulated Brain Booster”. It’s called Evo™, and the results are so amazing… they’re almost unbelievable.

The memory-enhancing formula is already generating controversy, but it’s not what you may think. Evo™ uses a simple secret to revive your brains memories. It’s a highly-concentrated blend of 100% non-pharmacological ingredients, available right over the counter. Some of these ingredients, like bee pollen for example, have had their ability to rejuvenate and heal the mind praised for centuries. Other key ingredients have only come to light very recently; the result of half a century’s study of the brain.

Evo on TV

Are humans the smartest we’ve ever been? – Dr. David Billinger, a neuroscientist at Harvard Medical school says “A large portion of the worlds population may be suffering from mental fatigue and a loss of IQ due to circumstances from our childhood.“ What are these circumstances? To put it simply; enviromental toxins. “We have been ingesting these pesticides for years and its damaged our brains,” says Dr. Billinger. According to the study, even if people are living healthier lives today, we are combating years of abuse on the brain. “Brain health is something most of us overlook and now science is telling us to pay attention.”

100% NATURAL – that’s good, right? Yes, if you’re looking for a healthy way to increase your cognitive abilities. No surprise ‘Big Pharma’ seems to feel threatened by this breakthrough in brain health. Particularly as Alzheimers and Dementia are poised to become the biggest killer of baby-boomers over the next 10 years. These pharma companies are scrambling to put a stop to it before the public catches on and it costs them BILLIONS. Why is this tiny pill protected from legislation? Simply put, it’s absurd to make vitamins, minerals, or bee pollen illegal. That means as of right now, anyone can indulge in this brain supplement without a prescription or hefty price tag.

Critics say the problem is – everyone wants to have a better brain, and improve their memory, so it’s only a matter of time before this pill starts getting abused by students who are looking for an extra edge or people in demanding jobs. While abuse of any supplement is nothing to joke about, I think having several more “brainiacs” or Albert Einsteins around is the last thing we have to worry about.

Filed Under: Brain Structure

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