Neurotransmitters | Mood Panel

There are “inhibitory” neurotransmitters and “excitatory” neurotransmitters. Inhibitory neurotransmitters work to counterbalance excitatory neurotransmitters and are considered the “feel-good” neurotransmitters. GABA, serotonin, and dopamine are among a few. They allow the brain to calm and feel balanced. Excitatory neurotransmitters are responsible for motivation, focus, anxiety, stress, and more. Norepinephrine and epinephrine (noradrenaline and adrenaline) are classified as excitatory, stimulating the brain.

It’s not uncommon for the body to run out of inhibitory neurotransmitters when one has overactive excitatory neurotransmitters. When inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters are not working together and are imbalanced, moods like anger, agitation, anxiety, and lingering sadness can occur. Change in weight, sleep issues, and poor concentration can also be a byproduct. An estimated 86% of Americans have an imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters.

Lingering sadness disorders are not genetically inherited, but the potential in each person is epigenetically modified by environment, stress, genetic makeup and nutritional health. In the nutrigenomic world, the risk factors are associated with two genes that are associated with a higher risk of developing relative disorders. These genes do not guarantee any person will develop these disorders. The specific genes are the MAO and COMT. Both of these genes affect the speed at which neurotransmitters are broken down and cleared from the post synaptic receptor. In both MAO A and B homozygous and COMT homozygous, the mono-amines are cleared from the receptor site in a sluggish manner. This makes the post synaptic neuron less adaptable to changes in neurotransmitter status and leads to a higher likelihood of lingering sadness, loss of interest, and/or anxiety in that patient. By assisting these mutations with methyl donors (ie taurine, methionine, choline, inositol), the practitioner can speed the clearance of the neurotransmitters and lessen the likelihood of the aforementioned symptoms.