A person’s emotional imbalances like anxiety, depression, insomnia and mood swings affect family and friends, in addition to school and workplace performance. These imbalances also often result in cravings and addictions. An imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters can cause these disorders. Balancing neurotransmitters can alleviate most, if not all, of theses symptoms.
What is a neurotransmitter?
The brain produces more than 100 neurotransmitters, which control every thought, mood, pain, and pleasure sensation we feel along with our energy level, motivation, appetite, and cravings. Neurotransmitters even regulate how well we sleep, our sex drive, and our ability to focus and concentrate. Imbalance can lead to mood disorders and addictions.
The usual treatment for mood disorders and addictions includes rounds of psychotherapy or an array of pharmaceutical drugs. According to Georgetown University professor of Psychiatry Dr. Robert Hedaya, a pharmaceutical mood-altering drug is considered successful if 50% of the symptoms are relieved in 50% of the patients.
In diagnosing a patient’s condition, physicians routinely order lab work, checking the blood count, cholesterol, thyroid and blood sugar levels. Physicians often overlook testing a patient’s neurotransmitters despite the fact that a deficiency of any particular neurotransmitter affects neuronal function but also endocrine function.
Physicians commonly measure specific neurotransmitters and hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, GABA, nor-epinephrine, epinephrine, glutamate, cortisol, DHEA, and thyroid. Using specifically designed targeted nutrient therapies tends to correct imbalanced neurotransmitters, allowing the individual to make more progress in psychotherapy as well.
Nutritional Support
A balanced diet including adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrates and good fats is essential to proper neurotransmitter production and function. Excess caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and sugar create imbalances. Avoid these if at all possible. Adequate vitamins and minerals are critical for more than 300 different functions in our body. This is especially true for all vitamin Bs and vitamin D, both linked to depression.
Measuring neurotransmitters and correcting deficiencies and imbalances using targeted nutrient therapies is now possible. Happiness and optimal health have their own biochemistry, which can be powerfully balanced and enhanced naturally.
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