Lessons in Neurotransmitters - please add...

[velvett]

Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that allow communication to occur in the brain. Different neurotransmitters allow and/or produce different functions. We can link various thinking, feeling and behavioral actions and states to various transmitters.

Dopamine
Norepinephrine
Serotonin
GABA
Enkephalin

Dopamine
Dopamine Functions in:
Feelings of pleasure
Feelings of attachment/love
Sense of altruism (unselfish concern for the welfare of others)
Integration of thoughts and feelings

Dopamine Deficiencies result in:
Anhedonia (lack of pleasure)
Lack of ability to feel love, sense attachment to another
Lack of remorse about actions
Distractibility

Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine Functions in:
Arousal, energy, drive
Stimulation
Fight or Flight

Norepinephrine Deficiencies result in:
Lack of energy
Lack of motivation
Depression

Serotonin
Serotonin Functions in:
Emotional stability
Reduces aggression
Sensory input
Sleep cycle
Appetite control

Serotonin Deficiencies result in:
Irritability
Irrational emotions
Sudden unexplained tears
OCD
Sleep disturbances

GABA
GABA Functions in:
Control of anxiety
Helps control arousal
Controls convulsions
Keeps brain activity balanced

GABA Deficiencies result in:
Free-floating anxiety
Racing thoughts
Rapid heart
Inability to fall asleep
Constant fight or flight
Panic

Enkephalin
Enkephalin Functions in:
Internal calm
Sense of well being
Feelings of euphoria
Self-concept
Pain management

Enkephalin Deficiencies result in:
Internal turmoil
Lack of complete feeling
Sense of inadequacy
Poor pain control

 

[nycgirl]

What causes the deficiencies?

 

[velvett]

What causes the deficiencies?

Not sure yet - some of it is nutritional/vitamin/mineral.

I stumbled onto researching it b/c of migraines - migraines are often present when serotonin levels are low. So I though huh, lets look into this.

Thought I'd add as I learned and if anyone had something to add they could too.

Looks like this might be better in science though...

 

[que_66]

Thanks for posting it. Very interesting.

Is it illegal or even possible to bake some brownies or muffins with some of these things in it? I have this paranoid pervert of a neighbor........

 

[velvett]

Thanks for posting it. Very interesting.

Is it illegal or even possible to bake some brownies or muffins with some of these things in it? I have this paranoid pervert of a neighbor........

LOL

Exlax brownies.


And yes, yes I have.

 

[anthrax]

Common neurotransmitters
Amino acids

* Aspartate
* Glutamate (Glu)
* γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)
* Glycine (Gly)



Biogenic amines

* Acetylcholine (Ach)



Monoamines

From phenylalanine and tyrosine (catecholamines, in the order of their synthesis):

* Dopamine (DA)
o Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) (NE)
+ Epinephrine (adrenaline) (Epi)

From tryptophan:

* Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT)
o Melatonin (Mel) (derived from serotonin, but not a monoamine)

From histidine:

* Histamine (H)


Polypeptides (neuropeptides)

* Bombesin
* Gastrin releasing peptide (GRP)

Gastrins

* Gastrin
* Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Neurohypophyseals

* Vasopressin
* Oxytocin
* Neurophysin I
* Neurophysin II

Neuropeptide Y

* Neuropeptide Y (NY)
* Pancreatic polypeptide (PP)
* Peptide YY (PYY)

Opioids

* Corticotropin (adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH)
* Beta-lipotropin
* Dynorphin
* Endorphin
* Enkephaline
* Leumorphin

Secretins

* Secretin
* Motilin
* Glucagon
* Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)
* Growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF)

Somatostatins

* Somatostatin

Tachykinins

* Neurokinin A
* Neurokinin B
* Neuropeptide A
* Neuropeptide gamma
* Substance P


Other neurotransmitters

* Nitric oxide (NO)
* Carbon monoxide (CO)
* Anandamide