Balancing your Neurotransmitters
for Optimal
Physical and Emotional Health
by
Bruce A. Roberts, MD
Institute for Health & Healing
Tonight’s Class Schedule
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1st Period – NeuroAnatomy
2nd Period – Biochemistry
3rd Period – Physiology
4th Period – Pathology
5th Period – Pharmacology
6th Period – Holistic Medicine
7th Period - Philosophy
1st Period:
NeuroAnatomy
A Brief Review of NeuroAnatomy
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The Nervous System
is divided
anatomically between
the Central Nervous
System (CNS) which
is made up of the
Brain and Spinal
Cord…
NeuroAnatomy
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…and the Peripheral
Nervous System
(PNS) that connects
the CNS to all of your
tissues, organs, and
glands.
NeuroAnatomy
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The Voluntary Nervous System (VNS)
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Controls voluntary activities like singing,
dancing, walking, talking
The Involuntary or Autonomic Nervous
System (ANS)
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Controls the involuntary activities like
breathing, blood pressure, temperature,
digestion, endocrine, and immune function
NeuroAnatomy
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The ANS is further divided into two parts:
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The Sympathetic Nervous System that
controls the “Fight or Flight” response, and
The Parasympathetic Nervous System that
controls the “Relaxation” response.
NeuroAnatomy
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Dendrites - receive chemical messages from other neurons
Cell Body – process the info and converts it to an electrical
impulse
Axon – carries the impulse down the nerve
Axon Terminal – releases chemical messengers into the
space between nerves called the Synapse.
What are Neurotransmitters?
The chemical messengers that relay,
amplify and modulate
information between a nerve cell and
another cell
NeuroAnatomy
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The Chemical Messengers are the Neurotransmitters
Stored in Vesicles in the Pre-Synaptic nerve
Released into the Synapse
Attach to receptors in the Post-Synaptic Nerve
Impulse arrives at the target organ and stimulates a response such
as a thought or a movement or release of hormones
NeuroAnatomy
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Three Options for the Neurotransmitters
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Re-Uptake: majority return to the presynaptic neuron for repackaging and recycling
Degraded: minority are broken down by
enzyme systems
Excreted: small percentage cross into the
circulatory system to be filtered by the kidney
and excreted in the urine
nd
2
Period
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
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There are over 50 known
neurotransmitters
Only about a dozen are the major players
that are currently measurable and
understood to a degree that is clinically
relevant to our health.
How Neurotransmitters are Made
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Neurotransmitters are made up of Amino Acids –
the building blocks of proteins
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Non-Essential AA’s
Semi-Essential AA’s
Essential AA’s
Certain vitamins, enzymes, an other cofactors
are necessary for their production and for the
body to maintain a steady supply
Types of Neurotransmitters
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Two main categories of neurotransmitters:
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Excitatory neurotransmitters that make up
primarily the sympathetic nervous system
Inhibitory neurotransmitters that make up
primarily the parasympathetic nervous
system.
Neurotransmitter Pathways
rd
3
Period
Physiology
How Neurotransmitters Work
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Excitatory Neurotransmitters
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Increase the likelihood that a neuron’s signal
will be sent
Increase energy, drive, motivation, learning
and muscle activity
Are the primary neurotransmitters of the
“Fight or Flight” Response
The gas pedal of our nervous system
How Neurotransmitters Work
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Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
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Oppose the affect of excitatory receptor
activation and decrease the likelihood that a
neuron’s signal will be sent
Calm the mind and body, induce sleep, and
filter out excessive noise from unnecessary
excitatory signals
Control the relaxation response
The brakes of the nervous system
Excitatory Neurotransmitters
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Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
Dopamine
Glutamate
Histamine
Aspartic Acid
PEA (Phenylethylamine)
Excitatory Neurotransmitters
Norepinephrine:
Too High:
Too Low:
Important for mental focus,
alertness, emotional stability,
emotional memory, and
endocrine function
Anxiety, Stress, Hyperactivity,
Hypertension, PTSD, ADHD
Lack of energy, lack of focus,
lack of motivation, poor mood,
pain disorders
Epinephrine:
Too High:
Too Low:
Important for energy,
motivation, mental focus and
arousal
Insomnia, anxiety, attention
problems
Fatigue, lack of focus, difficulty
losing weight
Dopamine:
Too High:
Too Low:
Joy, pleasure, satisfaction,
muscle control, digestive
function, memory
Poor digestion, developmental
delays, attention problems,
psychosis, Autism
Addictions, cravings, motor
control problems, restless legs,
Parkinsons, Autism
Glutamate:
Too High:
Too Low:
Primary excitatory
neurotransmitter of the CNS,
arousal, learning, memory
Anxiety, agitation, low mood,
seizures, immune problems,
OCD, Autism
Fatigue , disorganized thinking,
schizophrenia
Excitatory Neurotransmitters
Histamine:
Too High:
Too Low:
Helps control sleep/wake cycle,
modulates norepi and epi,
involved in energy and
motivation
Allergies, inflammatory
response, insomnia
Fatigue, mental sluggishness
PEA:
Too High:
Too Low:
Important for focus and
concentration, “love
neurotransmitter”
Mind racing, sleep difficulties,
anxiety
Poor attention, foggy thinking,
poor mood
Aspartic Acid:
Too High:
Too Low:
Vital for energy and brain
function
Seizures, Anxiety
Fatigue, Low mood
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
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GABA
Serotonin
Glycine
Taurine
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
GABA:
Too High:
Too Low:
Primary inhibitory NT of the
brain, necessary to feel calm
and relaxed, filters background
noise & static
Usually in response to elevated
excitatory neurotransmitters,
sedation
Uncontrolled anxiety,
hyperactivity, insomnia
Serotonin:
Too High:
Too Low:
Important in regulating mood,
appetite and sleep
Rarely an issue except with
pharmacologic treatment
leading to Serotonin Syndrome
Depression, anxiety, insomnia,
uncontrolled appetite, OCD,
headaches, hot flashes
Glycine:
Too High:
Too Low:
Like GABA, tends to calm and
relax the body and mind
Anxiety, low mood, stress
related symptoms
Poorly inhibited excitation
Taurine:
Too High:
Too Low:
Important for heart function,
healthy sleep, and promoting
calmness
Hyperactivity, anxiety, sleep
difficulties
Uncontrolled anxiety,
hyperactivity & insomnia
Fight or Flight Response
Prepares us for acute stress
Increased heart rate
 Increased respiration
 Increased blood flow to the muscles
 Dilated pupils
 Hair stands on end – “goose bumps”
 Decreased blood flow to the skin
 Decreased blood flow to the gut
 Decreased immune function
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A Not So Cute Stress
Relaxation Response
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Allows us to stop and smell the roses!
Slows the heart rate
 Slows down breathing
 Decreases blood flow to the muscles
 Constricts pupils
 Increases blood flow to the skin
 Improves digestive function
 Improves immune function
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A Cute Relaxation
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Sometimes i sits and thinks… and sometimes i
just sits.
th
4
Period
Pathology
Causes of Neurotransmitter
Imbalances
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Genetics
Environmental Toxins
Poor Diet/Nutrition
Infections
Hormonal Imbalances
Chronic Stress
Genetics
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Psychiatric illnesses run in families
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Genes that control neurotransmitter
production
Genes that control how the liver metabolizes
neurotransmitters, as well as hormones,
toxins and medications
COMT gene controls how rapidly the stress
hormones are broken down
Orthomolecular Theory of Schizophrenia
Environmental Toxins
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180,000 new chemicals in the
environment in the past 50 years!
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Heavy Metals like Mercury and Lead
Pesticides/Herbicides
Plastics
Industrial Solvents
Antibiotics and Hormones in the food chain
Diet & Nutrition
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We are all nutritionally depleted!
Over farming of the land
Picking produce before it is ripe
Overcooking and processing
Fast foods
Lack of natural grazing of livestock
Rushed meals and loss of ritual
Infections
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Slow viruses
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Viruses that reside in the nerves
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EBV & CMV
Herpes Simplex and Zoster
Bacterial infections in the mouth & gut
Lyme Disease
Parasites
Hormonal Imbalances
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Thyroid Problems
Menopause
Andropause
Adrenal Fatigue
Chronic Stress
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Chronic Stress is the major contributor to
at least 85% of all health problems and
visits to a primary care physician
Digestive Problems
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Poor absorption of vitamins and nutrients
Overgrowth of abnormal bacteria and yeast –
Dysbiosis
Leaky gut syndrome and food allergies
Irritable bowel syndrome
GERD
Ulcers
Immune Problems
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Difficulty fighting infections
Trouble controlling cancer
Compromised repair mechanisms
Increased inflammation throughout the body
and nervous system
Hormonal Imbalances
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The Nervous System and Endocrine
System are intricately connected
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Menstrual and fertility problems
PMS
Erectile dysfunction
Thyroid Abnormalities
Cardiovascular Problems
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Hypertension
Atherosclerosis
Arrhythmias
Heart Attacks
Strokes
Emotional Problems
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Depression
Anxiety
OCD
ADHD
Bipolar Disorder
Schizophrenia
Anatomy of a Depression
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Chronic Emotional Stress
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Financial Stress
Sandwich Generation
Ill Family Member
Relationship Difficulties
Personal Illness
Chronic Pain
Childhood Abuse
CNN junkie
Anatomy of a Depression
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Chronic Physiologic Stress
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Gut shuts down
Overgrowth of bacteria and yeast
Nutrients used up more quickly
Neurotransmitters become depleted
Little stresses become big stresses
Vicious cycle develops that accelerates the
whole process
Clinical
Depression!
th
5
Period
Pharmacology
How Do Psychoactive Drugs Work
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3 Basic Mechanisms
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Selective Reuptake Inhibitors
Receptor Agonists and Antagonists
Enzyme Modulators
Selective Reuptake Inhibitors
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SSRI’s: Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa, Zoloft, Paxil
SNRI’s: Effexor, Cymbalta, Pristiq
DNRI: Wellbutrin
Receptor Agonists & Antagonists
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Amphetamines
Benzodiazepines
Recreational Drugs
Anti Psychotic Drugs
Enzyme Modulators
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MAO Inhibitors: Nardil, Marplan, Parnate
th
6
Period
Holistic Treatment
Holistic Treatment of NT Imbalance
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Treat the Underlying Causes
Our Symptoms are Our Teachers
We are More than Our Body
Treat the Underlying Causes
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Specialized Diagnostic Tests
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Genetics
Toxins
Nutritional Status
Food Allergies
Neurotransmitters
Treat the Underlying Causes
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Diet
Exercise
Detoxification
Nutritional Support
Stress Reduction/Meditation
Energy Medicine Techniques
Targeted Amino Acid Therapy
Targeted Amino Acid Therapy
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A simple urinary test can assess all of your
major NT’s
Assess the balance between the excitatory and
inhibitory NT’s
Use Targeted Amino Acid Therapy to give your
body the building blocks it needs to make more
NT’s and bring the nervous system back in
balance.
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Amino Acid Precursors
Vitamins
Co-Factors
Our Symptoms are our Teachers
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Western Medicine
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Symptoms are the enemy.
The doctor’s job is to destroy the enemy
Holistic Medicine
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Our symptoms are our body’s way of communicating
to us where things are out of balance in terms of
mind, body, emotions, and spirit
The doctor’s role is to collaborate with the patient to
identify and correct the imbalances that are getting in
the way of the body’s natural healing ability.
We are More than Our Body!
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Western Medicine
only addresses the
physical body
Virtually every other
Medical System
recognizes that we
have both a physical
body and an
energetic body
E=MC2
Energy Medicine
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Physical and emotional traumas create
blockages in the flow of Chi
Blockages are experienced as anxiety or tension
triggering the Fight or Flight Response
Cause physical and emotional disorders
Energy Medicine
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Acupuncture
Reiki
Tai Chi
Qi Gong
Healing Touch
EFT – Emotional
Freedom Technique
th
7
Period
Philosophy
The Big Questions
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Who are we?
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What brings us joy?
What is our passion?
Are we listening to our inner voice?
What is our Soul Purpose?
How are we connected?
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With
With
With
With
ourselves?
our loved ones?
our community?
a higher power?
The Big Questions
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Is our mind the master or the servant?
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60,000 thoughts per day
Anticipating the future, perseverating about
the past
Meditation
The Power of Now
 Observer Self
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So the real question becomes…
Who is asking the
Questions?