Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the body that help relay information. They control many bodily functions and work by either speeding up or slowing down the flow of information. This works great as long as everything is balanced correctly. However, if imbalance is present, it can lead to all sorts of problems.
Neurotransmitter Imbalance
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: depression, anxiety, migraines, cravings, trichotillomania, OCD, ADD/ADHD, memory, focus, concentration, mood and many others (for a complete list see http://amino-acid-therapy.com/neurotransmitters/imbalances-cause-disease-symptoms/).
Restoring Balance – Amino Acid Therapy
Neurotransmitters are made from building blocks called amino acids. However, only specific amino acids can be used to make specific neurotransmitters. For instance, L-tryptophan is converted into 5-HTP which can be converted into serotonin. Likewise, L-tyrosine is converted into L-dopa which is converted into dopamine.
Each person needs a unique amount and ratio of amino acids in order to restore proper neurotransmitter balance in their system. The science of determining what this blend is for each person is often referred to as amino acid therapy. The proper use of amino acid therapy requires extensive training and often utilizes specific testing to help determine the right amino acid blend necessary.
To learn more about neurotransmitters and amino acid therapy, see: http://amino-acid-therapy.com/neurotransmitters/.
