The neurotransmitters that we are most concerned about are serotonin and the catecholamines (which include dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine). Serotonin is made from L-tryptophan and/or 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). The catecholamines are made from L-tyrosine and/or L-dopa.

Picture from Marty Hinz, MD: www.neuroassist.com

The important thing to note is that neurotransmitters cannot cross the blood-brain-barrier (this is depicted as the solid line in the above illustration. However, the individual amino acids (and the cofactors) can cross the blood-brain-barrier. Therefore, in order to raise the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain it is necessary to take the appropriate amino acids and cofactors AND facilitate their delivery across the blood-brain-barrier so they can be transformed into their respective neurotransmitters.

In theory, this is a fairly easy thing to do. It is a little bit more complicated in practice. How this can be best accomplished will be discussed in a future post.

Most people have heard of several common neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and are familiar with at least some of their functions in regards to mood (especially depression) and sleep (serotonin is the immediate precursor to melatonin, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep). What most people do not know is that neurotransmitter imbalances can dramatically affect many other aspects of your health and can cause or exacerbate any of the following conditions:

A full list of the disorders and diseases related to neurotransmitters imbalance can be accessed here. The key point is that when imbalances in neurotransmitters occur, information is not relayed optimally in the brain which causes symptoms. Most people exhibit more than one of these conditions but don’t make the connection between them because most health care professionals don’t know that much about brain chemistry or how to use amino acid therapy to correct the underlying neurotransmitter imbalances.

We have a novel approach to help those with these disorders substantially reduce and/or eliminate their symptoms.  It is based on underlying biochemical imbalances in brain chemistry, and it works. Contact us to learn how you can achieve optimal neurotransmitter function.

Source for full list of disorders and diseases related to neurotransmitters imbalance

The main excitatory neurotransmitters in the body are dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and glutamate.

Dopamine plays a number of important functions in the brain. It is very important in the reward system whereby we feel pleasure, achieve heightened arousal and do much of our learning. Every type of reward that has been studied increases the level of dopamine transmission in the brain. A wide variety of highly addictive drugs, including cocaine and amphetamines (i.e., methamphetamine, “speed”, Adderall, Vyvanse, Dexedrine) act directly on the dopamine system.  Dopamine also helps with focus, concentration and memory as well as motivation. Several important diseases are associated with dysfunctions in the dopamine system, including Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia and ADD/ADHD.

Norepinephrine is made from dopamine and plays many roles it the body. It along with epinephrine are responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response to stress, which increases your heart-rate, increases blood sugar and increases blood flow to the muscles to allow you to act or react to stressors. Norepinephrine also affects blood pressure and heart rate, although it’s most widely known impact is on alertness, arousal, decision making, attention and focus. Several ADHD medications, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin/Concerta), amphetamines (Adderall, Dexedrine) and atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to increase norepinephrine levels in the brain in an attempt to help improve focus and concentration. Other classes of drugs seek to modulate norepinephrine in the brain to improve depression, including venlafaxine (Effexor), duloxetine (Cymbalta) and bupropion (Wellbutrin).

Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) is released in reaction to stress and is partially responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response. It affects a number of important functions, including heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. Imbalances in epinephrine can lead to “adrenaline junkies”, a term that is often used to describe people that seem to enjoy stress and stressful activities. Unfortunately, they also usually suffer from constant need for urgency, have trouble relaxing or sleeping and keep ‘the pedal to the medal’ as they race through life.

Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain. It plays key roles in cognitive functions like learning and memory. Imbalances in glutamate levels are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, seizures and forms of autism. Interestingly, glutamate is also used as a flavor enhancer in the form of monosodium glutamate (MSG).

If the balance between the inhibitory and the excitatory neurotransmitters is disrupted for some reason, many symptoms can develop. We will cover the many symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalance next.

There are several inhibitory neurotransmitters in the body, but the two that are thought to have the greatest and widest reaching effects are serotonin and GABA (gamma amino butyric acid).

Most people know of serotonin in relation to mood and a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – including Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro and Luvox. However, most people do not know that most of the serotonin in the body is produced and found in the intestine (approximately 90%) and the remainder is mostly found in the brain and central nervous system. Serotonin helps to regulate appetite, sleep, memory, learning, temperature, mood, behavior, muscle contraction, cardiovascular function and hormone balance.

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps with reducing anxiety, calming the mind and releasing tension. Some anti-anxiety medications like benzodiazepines (i.e., Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Lorazepam) and barbiturates (i.e., phenobarbital, Fioricet), as well as many sleep medications (i.e., Ambien, Lunesta) work primarily by increasing the amount of GABA released in a neuron.

Both serotonin and GABA work in conjunction with a specific excitatory neurotransmitter (or group of excitatory neurotransmitters); in this way, they can balance one another to make sure only important signals are sent. Serotonin works in conjunction with a group of excitatory neurotransmitters called the catecholamines; these include dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. GABA works in conjunction with glutamate. The balance between these respective sets of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters is imperative for proper neurotransmitter function.

In its most basic form a neuron has two ends (although either can have multiple branches): an axon and a dendrite. A neuron communicates with other neurons by sending neurotransmitters from its axon to a dendrite of another neuron. The space between the axon and the dendrite is called a synapse; this is the space across which a neurotransmitter must cross.

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Neurotransmitters are stored in the axon (or pre-synaptic neuron) in little packages called synaptic vesicles. They are released if an appropriate charge is sent down the axon. Once released, they cross the synapse to dock with receptors on the dendrite of another neuron (often called the post-synaptic neuron). If enough neurotransmitters dock with the receptors, a signal is sent down that neuron and the message continues on. However, if not enough neurotransmitter docks with the receptor, then the message stops.

Either way, once the neurotransmitter is released from the receptor, it is either taken back up into the synaptic vesicle of the axon by a neurotransmitter reuptake pump/transporter or it is destroyed by enzymes that are present in the synapse.

Bundles of neurons run from your brain to every organ and system in your body.

Therefore, neurotransmitters help to control and regulate most of your body’s functions, including:

Most neurotransmitters are classified in one of two types – inhibitory and excitatory. Inhibitory neurotransmitters slow down the flow of information by calming and reducing the activity of neurons; they help to bring balance to the body. Excitatory neurotransmitters generally increase the flow of information. It is the balance between the inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters that has the greatest effect on your body functions.

We will discuss the different inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in future posts.

CysReplete is a formula that is used in conjunction with any balanced amino acid therapy. CysReplete contains only L-cysteine, selenium and folate. CysReplete is necessary for two main reasons: (1) using tyrosine or L-dopa (i.e., Mucuna pruriens) without CysReplete can deplete the sulfur amino acid system and (2) to prevent neurotoxicity due to methylmercury.

The methionine-homocysteine cycle is the primary sulfur amino acid system in the body. Using tyrosine or L-dopa leads to a depletion of sulfur in this system, which can cause heart irregularities, pain, decreased immune function and insomnia. Luckily, there is a simple strategy to remedy this depletion: take sulfur.

S-adenosyl-methionine, also known as SAMe can be used for this purpose; however SAMe is quite expensive at the doses needed (about 4500 mg/day). We have found cysteine to work equally as well at a substantial cost savings.

The selenium is added to the formula to prevent cysteine (or any sulfur amino acids) from creating an environment that contributes to neurotoxicity from methylmercury. Methylmercury is formed in the body if body stores of mercury come into contact with a methyl donor, such as SAMe or cysteine. Methylmercury is a much more toxic and dangerous substances than elemental mercury, as it can cross the blood-brain-barrier and studies have shown that administration of sulfur-containing amino acids can increase the concentration of methylmercury in the brain. However, selenium irreversibly binds to methylmercury rendering the methylmercury biologically inactive and non-toxic. Therefore, by providing the body with sufficient selenium along with adequate sulfur amino acids, such as cysteine, the potential danger of methylmercury exposure is avoided.

Folic acid is required in order to provide optimal function of the folic acid cycle which keeps the methionine-homocysteine cycle functioning properly. Folic acid also plays a vital role in keeping homocysteine levels in check..

CysReplete is an important component of any balanced amino acid therapy program and needs to be included any time a person takes tyrosine or L-dopa (Mucuna pruriens) to insure optimal long-term care.

In that post, we covered some simple ways to improve sleep; since that post, many people have contacted us asking for other suggestions to improve sleep. This is the first of a two part series to outline several more lifestyle ideas that our clients have found useful for getting and staying asleep. The next post will focus on dietary changes to help you saw some more logs (and keep your hands off your hair).

Start with one or two of these ideas and try them out for a couple weeks before passing judgment on whether or not they work for you. Keep trying them until you find the right combination for you:

• Make your bedroom your sanctuary – use your bedroom only for sleep and lovemaking. Avoid bill paying, eating, or reading in bed. Remove your telephone and/or TV from your bedroom.
• Practice deep breathing or alternate nostril breathing at least twice daily – 12 minutes morning and night is great, although even a few minutes will help.

• Engage in moderate exercise that you enjoy and that clears your mind – listen to your body and go with it!
• Exercise regularly in the morning, late afternoon or early evening – but not right before bedtime. Physical exertion is an excellent way to wake up or make your body tired so that sleep comes about more easily.
• Eat dinner at least two hours before bedtime. This will allow digestion to run its course before you settle into bed
• Go to bed when you are initially tired and feel sleepy. If you listen to your body, this is probably around the time your melatonin levels are on the rise (usually between 8-10 PM) – now is the time to get to bed and get restored.
• Take a bath with one or two cups Epsom salts, which is hydrated magnesium sulfate – available in any drugstore. This will allow your body to calm as the magnesium is absorbed through your skin. Warming your core body temperature will make you drowsy. You could also put in a little lavender oil to help promote a sense of calm.
• Read an entertaining book or magazine before bed (but not in bed). This will often calm you down and get your brain out of ‘do’ mode. Don’t read a business book or anything else that gets your brain stimulated to start thinking about work.
• Start a ‘gratitude journal’: get a journal (a notebook will due, but you may enjoy having a special diary-type book or journal – nobody else is going to see it anyway!) and every night before you go to bed, write down five (5) things in your day that you are grateful for. This is especially helpful if you’ve had a rough day and need something fun to think about.
• Do not nap during the day if this isn’t a normal thing for you to do. A short nap can help if you’re exhausted or stressed out, but a nap that’s too long will interfere with your body’s sleep rhythm.
• Don’t sleep late on weekends. Even if you are out late, try to get up within two hours of your usual time of waking.

Use whatever combination of the above techniques you like; experiment with several and find the ones that work for you. And don’t be afraid to try some new ones now and then! Establishing a good sleep pattern will help you maintain optimal neurotransmitter levels and dramatically decrease your urge to pull over time.

If you ever need additional support or would like more information, feel free to contact us. In addition, if you use some tried-and-true technique to help you sleep that you don’t see here, please share it below – you never know who it may help.

In particular, we have been seeing a lot of people suffering from trichotillomania that also have insatiable cravings for sweets and/or simple carbohydrates, including breads, cookies, candy, chips, pastries and similar foods. Most people that have this combination of sugar cravings and trichotillomania don’t realize they are connected, and they often feel helpless on both accounts. However, I am here to tell you that not only are they related, they can both be resolved using the same techniques.

Balanced Amino Acid Therapy

Both the urge to pull and cravings for sugar and sweets are regulated by your brain chemistry. The chemical messengers responsible for this regulation are called neurotransmitters, which include serotonin and dopamine. Imbalances in your neurotransmitter function will cause miscommunication, which often leads to symptoms including the urge to pull, cravings and any number of the conditions listed above. However, restoring proper neurotransmitter balance will improve communication and alleviate these conditions.

One of the keys to establishing proper neurotransmitter function is the employment of balanced amino acid therapy. This means that a health care professional trained in the proper use of amino acids will help you determine exactly the right mix of amino acids and cofactors you need in order to establish optimal neurotransmitter function. Once this occurs, not only will your urge to pull disappear, your cravings will also be substantially reduced or eliminated altogether. This occurs because you are addressing the root cause of your problems, and by digging down to the root, you can manage a whole host of symptoms due to neurotransmitter imbalance.

Amino Acid Synthesis

I believe the reason for so much confusion comes from the fact that the synthesis of monoamine neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, seems so straightforward:

From an intuitive standpoint, taking 5-HTP would seem to be the perfect way to increase serotonin and taking L-tyrosine or L-dopa would seem the ideal way to increase levels of dopamine. Unfortunately, this is one instance where the simple answer doesn’t play out in practice.

Synthesis Interactions

A thorough review of peer-reviewed literature shows several interactions occur in the actual synthesis of neurotransmitters from amino acids:

As you can see, giving only 5-HTP, L-dopa, L-tyrosine or L-tryptophan can deplete the monoamine neurotransmitters along with their amino acids, making the overall situation worse. Based on this data, the odds of a person obtaining the correct balance of amino acids to achieve proper neurotransmitter function are virtually zero. Once more, the probability of a person using trial-and-error to try and establish proper neurotransmitter function causing further imbalance is incredibly high. This highlights the need for professional guidance in regards to establishing the optimal amino acid dosing for each person.

Professional Guidance

Although resolving this situation isn’t as easy as it seems, a solution does exist. The science of amino acid therapy has grown by leaps and bounds over the past six years, due in large part to the work of Marty Hinz, MD and his staff at NeuroResearch, Inc. Dr. Hinz’s work has shown that with proper training, achieving optimal neurotransmitter function is possible using properly balanced amino acid therapy along with functional testing as needed. We have been using this approach for almost a decade with tremendous success and can help you achieve the resolution you are looking for.

Probiotics – good for your (brain) health

Probiotics are the “good” bacteria that normally reside in your gut. It is known that if  these bacteria become imbalanced in some way (due to illness, improper diet or toxin exposure), a condition called “dysbiosis” results, which can have many dire consequences including decreased immunity, improper immune function, food allergies, inflammation, indigestion and numerous other physical disorders. However, until recently it was not known that these bacteria can also generate neurotransmitters that can also affect your brain, impacting your mental and emotional states.

Researchers at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center found that the following bacteria can produce neurotransmitters in the gut:

This could mean that the microbial balance in your gut could be a key player in improving and maintaining your neurotransmitter levels, and therefore alleviating the urge to pull. It also provides more scientific evidence for something that we routinely see in the clinic – that many people with gastrointestinal disorders develop or have one or more disorders related to neurotransmitter imbalance and that correctly the underlying gastrointestinal disorder is imperative to long-term recovery. Think of it like this – the gastrointestinal disorder (like IBS, Crohn’s disease, food allergies or Celiac’s disease) is like a hole in a bucket, causing neurotransmitter levels to decline (or become imbalanced). In order to fill the bucket back up (using amino acid therapy) over time, you have to first fix the whole.

Certain gastrointestinal disorders create neurotransmitter imbalances through inflammatory, immune or genetic influences. This research provides another potential way to explain, and address, the resulting neurotransmitter dysfunction. Obviously, more research needs to be done to define just how this can be useful in real life, but for now, it seems logical that anyone that suffers from trich or other disorders associated with neurotransmitter imbalance must heal any underlying gut issues while restoring proper neurotransmitter balance using amino acid therapy to achieve long term success.