The Function of Neurotransmitters and Their Disruptors

Why might my child be behaving this way. Toxins, inflammation on the brain, infections, and gut disruption reduce the production of neurotransmitters.

WHAT IS A NEUROTRANSMITTER?

Neurotransmitters can be thought of as the brain’s messengers. They are chemicals made in the digestive tract, or in the brain. They transmit messages vital to our brain’s ability to function properly, our body’s muscle movements, and more. They regulate our moods, appetite, and sleep. They even control our body’s response to pain. If the volume of these chemicals is too low or too high, the message is not sent properly and we experience symptoms.

Below are a some more commonly known neurotransmitters:

Serotonin

Serotonin is the neurotransmitter most involved in the cause of multiple medical and psychiatric problems.  It is greatly affected by inflammation and up to 95% of it is made in the gut, so the gut must be working properly. It mainly affects mood, sleep and appetite. 

Low levels of serotonin may contribute to:

• Moodiness, including irritability and depression
• Trouble sleeping

• Appetite control (lack of satiety)
• Night terrors
• Poor digestion
• Migraine headaches

Dopamine

Dopamine is essential in attention, focus, and impulse control. Low dopamine is often a contributor to trouble with handwriting, and ability to organize thoughts or plan future events , extremely low motivation and drive, extreme hyperactivity, motor control, and reward. 

Signals that dopamine is low:

• Trouble focusing
• No sense of pleasure or reward
• Inattentive
• Low motivation
• Difficulty with follow through

Too much dopamine can be a problem, just as too little can be a problem. Too much dopamine with phenylalanine can cause behavioral disorders such as schizophrenia and seizures.

Signals that dopamine is too high:

• Hyperfocus
• Stuck in negative behavior patterns (the grudge holder)

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