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· Arousal · Exercise · Posture
· Sleep
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The Cause of Internet and TV Addiction? |
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Serotonin
· Serotonin Irritation Syndrome · Theory · Diet
"Serotonin [a neurotransmitter] is believed to play an important part of the biochemistry of depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety. It is also believed to be influential on sexuality."
"Serotonin is found extensively in the human gut, as well as in the blood stream."
"In our body, serotonin is synthesized from the amino acid tryptofan by various enzymes…"
"This neurotransmitter regulates · the onset of sleep, · sensory perception, · mood and depression, · body temperature, · hyperacusis (noise sensitivity)… · photophobia (sensitivity to light) Low levels may contribute to muscle weakness and stiffness experienced by Fibromyalgia sufferers." Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / M.E. / Fibromyalgia Information, Treatment & Support
· "Regulates sleep, · reduces pain and appetite, and · generally calms you down and improves your mood. (Page 46)" Book: Somer, Elizabeth, M.A., R.D. Food & Mood. Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 1999.
"Low levels of serotonin are associated with · increased carbohydrate cravings · depression · heightened sensitivity to pain, and · troubled sleep patterns (Page 144)" Book: Somer, Elizabeth, M.A., R.D. Food & Mood. Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 1999.
"When serotonin levels are high, · carbohydrate cravings subside, · mood is elevated, · pain tolerance improves, and · sleep is more restful. (Page 144)" Book: Somer, Elizabeth, M.A., R.D. Food & Mood. Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 1999.
· Indoor Air Pollution: Ions: Effects: Effects on the Brain: Serotonin
· The Brain: Serotonin Irritation Syndrome (SIS)
· Indoor Air Pollution: Electromagnetic Waves: Similarities with Effects of Positive Ions, Serotonin
"Serotonin [a neurotransmitter] is believed to play an important part of the biochemistry of · Depression, · Bipolar disorder and · Anxiety. · It is also believed to be influential on sexuality."
"Different food components have different effects on serotonin.
Sugar (sweets): Triggers quick release of insulin that lowers blood levels of most large amino acids except tryptophan, which remains in the blood and can enter the brain. As a result, serotonin levels rise, but blood-sugar levels also rise and fall dramatically.
Refined starch (white bread, white rice): Triggers release of insulin that lowers blood levels of most large amino acids except tryptophan, which remains in the blood and can enter the brain. As a result, serotonin levels rise, but blood-sugar levels also rise and fall, sometimes too low.
Whole grain starch (whole wheat, brown rice, oatmeal): Triggers a slow, sustained release of insulin that lowers blood levels of most large amino acids except tryptophan, which remains in the blood and can enter the brain. As a result, serotonin levels rise gradually, and blood-sugar levels remain stable, without the rise and fall experienced with sugar or refined grains.
Vitamin B6: Aids in the manufacture of serotonin. A deficiency of this B vitamin reduces serotonin production and affects mood and cravings.
Estrogen: Might inhibit vitamin B6 status and decrease brain serotonin levels by its affects on neuropeptide Y (NPY).
Tryptophan: Raises blood levels, then brain levels of tryptophan, which increases serotonin production.
Protein: Raises blood levels of all large amino acids. As a result, only small amounts of tryptophan enter the brain, serotonin levels do not rise, and cravings for carbohydrates might increase. A person might also feel more energetic and more clearheaded as a result of lowered serotonin levels.
Fat: Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil raise serotonin levels, although how they do this is unclear. (Page 17)" Book: Somer, Elizabeth, M.A., R.D. Food & Mood. Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 1999.
"A desire for sweets is hardwired into the brain. As discussed in chapter 1, a carbohydrate-rich meal or snack stimulates the release of the hormone insulin from the pancreas, which lowers blood levels of all amino acids except tryptophan. Normally, tryptophan must compete with other amino acids for entry into the brain, but insulin eliminates the competition, allowing tryptophan levels to rise in the brain. Tryptophan is then converted into serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, reduces pain and appetite, and generally calms you down and improves your mood. (Page 46)" Book: Somer, Elizabeth, M.A., R.D. Food & Mood. Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 1999.
· Ongoing research connects acetylcholine, GABA and serotonin to ASD [Autism Spectrum Disorder (a broad definition of autism)] problems. [GABA is also mentioned in the section Hypoglycemia: Effects of GABA] · All affect GI motility and sensitivity in a variety of ways. [Notes: Because there are so many neurotransmitters in the gut, it is not easy to separate what is speculated to be a reaction from food versus a reaction with one of these other neurotransmitters. Dairy affects the promotion of serotonin [can lead to an overproduction of serotonin?]. Some people say dairy may have a constipating effect due to · opioids, · but it could also be due to increased serotonin activity... · or even that dairy is high in proteins, which have a constipating effect.] Enzyme Stuff: Sensory Integration Issues and Gut Reactions
Relationship "Melatonin is manufactured from serotonin. When melatonin levels increase, serotonin levels usually decrease, since more serotonin is converted to melatonin.” Book: Somer, Elizabeth, M.A., R.D. Food & Mood. Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 1999.
Exposure to Light “…exposure to light lowers melatonin levels and increases serotonin levels.” Book: Somer, Elizabeth, M.A., R.D. Food & Mood. Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 1999.
“Consequently, serotonin levels are lower, while melatonin levels are higher, in the winter as compared to the spring and summer, especially in people with SAD [unless a person is regularly exposed to an artificial light source]. (Page 143)" Book: Somer, Elizabeth, M.A., R.D. Food & Mood. Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 1999.
Palming The ‘palming’ exercise can be helpful for people, who are exposed to too much light (e.g. from computer monitors) and have too much serotonin in their system, by decreasing serotonin levels and increasing melatonin levels. · Vision: Bates Method: Palming · The Brain: Melatonin: Effects · The Brain: Serotonin: Serotonin Levels: Overproduction of Serotonin
Things to Consider Other factors can affect serotonin levels, such as electromagnetic waves, positive ions, diet, and allergies.
"Encounters with allergens stimulate the release of serotonin and histamine from mast cells in the body. This increase affect chemokines which in turn alter arousal, attention, activity and vigilance. A highly allergic child can be either quite lethargic or hyperactive as a result, depending upon the individual mechanisms of the allergic reaction. Frequently eliminating all allergens from the diet will eliminate hyperactivity or lethargy and inattention." Brain Training Associates, Inc.: Attention Deficit Disorders
Medications that Affect Serotonin Levels Note: I'm not a doctor and I don't make recommendations of medications, but if you are taking any medications that affect your serotonin levels you should be aware of them.
"In order to work around this, doctors use a variety of psychiatric medications that affect serotonin levels indirectly, including MAO inhibitors, and SSRIs which includes the well known antidepressant fluoxetine (trade name: Prozac®) The MAO inhibitors prevent the breakdown of serotonin and therefore increase concentrations of the neurotransmitter in the brain. MAO inhibitors react negatively with many foods (which contain amines) and drugs and have a large list of side effects."
· Indoor Air Pollution: Negative Ions · Research Topics: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) · Laterality: Too Much Lateralisation
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