neurotransmitters

What you need to know about Serotonin

neurotransmitters, The body / /

What is Serotonin? Serotonin is also known as 5-hydroxytriptamine, is a neurotransmitter that is derived from tryptophan.   Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. Essential meaning that your body cannot produce it, you need to get it in through food sources such as chicken, eggs, fish, milk, bananas and cheese. What is the role of serotonin? it influences learning and memory it contributes towards happiness and reward it is involved in physiological processes such as sleep, behavior and appetite. it also has biological processes including cardiovascular function, bowel motility, and bladder control Where in the body is it made? It is mainly found in the GI tract, as well as blood platelets and the central nervous system. 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut. The remaining 10% of serotonin is produced by neurons located in the CNS. Increasing Serotonin naturally improving your gut health eating tryptophan rich foods (eggs, cheese, pineapple, salmon, brazil nuts, chicken, milk) getting sunlight first thing in the morning regular exercise having quality sleep every night spending time with loved ones   How your genes are involved The DNA mind Test looks at your Serotonergic pathway. There are two main genetic alleles that are taken into account. Some people have alleles that repress the transcriptional process. This causes a boost in the 5-HT1A activity which leads to a negative feedback and thus less serotonin signaling which means you lack enough serotonin. Contact me for more information on your genetic test.

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What you need to know about oxytocin

Hormones, neurotransmitters, The body / /

Oxytocin is a peptide hormone and neuro peptide produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. It plays a role in social bonding and sexual reproduction in both sexes and during and after childbirth. Oxytocin has hormonal actions as well as important actions in the brain. It is also known as the love hormone.   It is needed for: triggering uterine contraction social bonding stress management the release of serotonin and dopamine reducing cravings breastfeeding it’s calming effect counteracting the effects of cortisol stimulating growth hormone which helps with cell repair and growth building trust and feeling affection and love Ways to increase oxytocin Magnesium and Vitamin C can increase oxytocin. Being more affectionate helps your body create more oxytocin. There are tiny pressure receptors located throughout the body that help with this. Genetics The oxytocin receptor OXTR is central in inhibiting the brains primary fear and stress center-the amygdala, and promotes courage, calmness, empathy, optimism, trust, self belief and self esteem. Certain genetic variables in the oxytocin receptor gene have been implicated in anxiety and depression. There may be more difficulty in overcoming historic life trauma, and there is a higher risk of developing stress-related health issues. Getting your genetic test can help show you how to increase your oxytocin levels in you have a down regulation in your gene. Contact me for more information.   sources: Magon N, Kalra S. The orgasmic history of oxytocin: Love, lust, and labor. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Sep;15 Suppl 3(Suppl3):S156-61. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.84851. PMID: 22029018; PMCID: PMC3183515. Zak PJ, Stanton AA, Ahmadi S. Oxytocin increases generosity in humans. PLoS One. 2007 Nov 7;2(11):e1128. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001128. PMID: 17987115; PMCID: PMC2040517. Cochran DM, Fallon D, Hill M, Frazier JA. The role of oxytocin in psychiatric disorders: a review of biological and therapeutic research findings. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2013 Sep-Oct;21(5):219-47. doi: 10.1097/HRP.0b013e3182a75b7d. PMID: 24651556; PMCID: PMC4120070. Liu N, Yang H, Han L, Ma M. Oxytocin in Women’s Health and Disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Feb 15;13:786271. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.786271. PMID: 35242106; PMCID: PMC8886718. Lee HJ, Macbeth AH, Pagani JH, Young WS 3rd. Oxytocin: the great facilitator of life. Prog Neurobiol. 2009 Jun;88(2):127-51. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2009.04.001. Epub 2009 Apr 10. PMID: 19482229; PMCID: PMC2689929.

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What you need to know about Epinephrine

Hormones, neurotransmitters / /

What is epinephrine and Norepinephrine? Epinephrine and Norepinephrine are hormones and neurotransmitters classed as a catecholamines. Epinephrine is also known as adrenaline. When you are stressed, your body releases adrenaline. Norephinephrine is also known as noradrenaline. Both play a role in the fight or flight response. The difference  Both epinephrine and norepinephrine can affect your heart, blood sugar levels, and blood vessels. The main difference between the two is that norepinephrine can also make your blood vessels become narrower which increases blood pressure. Symptoms of low epinephrine include: anxiety depression fibromyalgia hypoglycemia migraine restless legs syndrome sleep disorders Norepinephrine and mental health Norepinephrine is made from dopamine. Norepinephrine is also known to influence areas of cognition and behaviour such as attention and working memory. Dysregulation of the norepinephrine system can result in anxiety and depression and ADHD. Genetics When your COMT gene has a lower enzymatic activity, this can increase epinephrine and norepinephrine in the peripheral and central nervous system, which can result in a high pain sensitivity. When dopamine and norepinephrine levels rise, it can disrupt the regulation of the prefrontal cortex, leading to a diminished ability to cope with negative emotions. Genetic testing The DNA resilience test looks at seven molecular areas of resilience: serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, BDNF, Neuropeptide Y, Oxytocin and the stress axis in order to help identify strengths and hurdles, as well as recommending personalised interventions which can help you to improve your resilience outcomes and health performance. If you are interested in getting your genetic test, please contact me. I am an accredited genetic practitioner.

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What you need to know about Dopamine

ADHD, neurotransmitters / /

Dopamine is a catecholamine neurotransmitter and a hormone. It is referred to as the “molecule of more”. It works together with Serotonin and norepinephrine. Every time you do something that provides a measure of pleasure or reward, dopamine is released which reinforces the behaviour. The brain’s memory center then stores that reward and that in turn increases motivation or the incentive to do it again. helps us to stay focused improves working memory is involved in anticipation helps us to feel pleasure can increase motivation regulates motor coordination Sometimes Dopamine does not function correctly, this produces a dysregulation which can result in either too much dopamine or too little. Associated with high dopamine: Poor muscle control delusions high libido insomnia mania obesity addiction schizophrenia competition aggression Symptoms of low dopamine: a lack of motivation getting bored easily can’t focus apathy fatigue anti-social addictive behaviour fear worry compulsive behaviour risk seeking binge eating opioid dependency Genetics in dopamine COMPT An increased COMT activity accelerates the breakdown of dopamine and may lead to lower dopamine levels. This affects executive functioning and can lead to addictive behaviour in an attempt to increase dopamine. DRD1, DRD2, DRD3, DRD4 Variations in these genetics can lead to bipolar, compulsive and risk-seeking behaviours, alcoholism and opioid addiction, and binge eating behaviour and ADHD. OPRM1 Opioid receptors help to regulate pain, reward, and addictive behaviour. Genetic variants can result in a risk for addiction to pain medication as well as nicotine, cocaine, and alcohol. DNA MIND GENETIC TEST The DNA Mind reports on variants in genes that have significant associations with mental health including risk for addictive behavior, cognitive decline, depression, anxiety and mood regulating. The test is suitable for those who are concerned about a family history of, or are personally suffering from mental illness, specifically around addiction, cognitive decline, or mood disorders. Contact me for more information on the test.  

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