balancing your neurotransmitters for optimal physical and emotional health by bruce a. roberts, md...
TRANSCRIPT
Balancing your NeurotransmittersBalancing your Neurotransmitters for Optimal for Optimal
Physical and Emotional HealthPhysical and Emotional Healthbyby
Bruce A. Roberts, MDBruce A. Roberts, MDInstitute for Health & HealingInstitute for Health & Healing
Tonight’s Class ScheduleTonight’s Class Schedule
11stst Period – NeuroAnatomy Period – NeuroAnatomy 22ndnd Period – Biochemistry Period – Biochemistry 33rdrd Period – Physiology Period – Physiology 44thth Period – Pathology Period – Pathology 55thth Period – Pharmacology Period – Pharmacology 66thth Period – Holistic Medicine Period – Holistic Medicine 77thth Period - Philosophy Period - Philosophy
A Brief Review of NeuroAnatomyA Brief Review of NeuroAnatomy
The Nervous The Nervous System is divided System is divided anatomically anatomically between the between the Central Nervous Central Nervous System (CNS) System (CNS) which is made up which is made up of the Brain and of the Brain and Spinal Cord…Spinal Cord…
NeuroAnatomyNeuroAnatomy
……and the and the Peripheral Nervous Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) that System (PNS) that connects the CNS connects the CNS to all of your to all of your tissues, organs, tissues, organs, and glands. and glands.
NeuroAnatomyNeuroAnatomy
The Voluntary Nervous System (VNS)The Voluntary Nervous System (VNS) Controls voluntary activities like singing, Controls voluntary activities like singing,
dancing, walking, talkingdancing, walking, talking The Involuntary or Autonomic The Involuntary or Autonomic
Nervous System (ANS)Nervous System (ANS) Controls the involuntary activities like Controls the involuntary activities like
breathing, blood pressure, temperature, breathing, blood pressure, temperature, digestion, endocrine, and immune digestion, endocrine, and immune function function
NeuroAnatomyNeuroAnatomy
The ANS is further divided into two The ANS is further divided into two parts:parts: The Sympathetic Nervous System that The Sympathetic Nervous System that
controls the “Fight or Flight” response, controls the “Fight or Flight” response, and and
The Parasympathetic Nervous System The Parasympathetic Nervous System that controls the “Relaxation” response.that controls the “Relaxation” response.
NeuroAnatomyNeuroAnatomy
Dendrites - receive chemical messages from other Dendrites - receive chemical messages from other neurons neurons
Cell Body – process the info and converts it to an Cell Body – process the info and converts it to an electrical impulseelectrical impulse
Axon – carries the impulse down the nerveAxon – carries the impulse down the nerve Axon Terminal – releases chemical messengers into the Axon Terminal – releases chemical messengers into the
space between nerves called the Synapse.space between nerves called the Synapse.
What are Neurotransmitters?What are Neurotransmitters?
The chemical messengers that The chemical messengers that relay, amplify and modulate relay, amplify and modulate
information between a nerve cell information between a nerve cell and another cell and another cell
NeuroAnatomyNeuroAnatomy
The Chemical Messengers are the NeurotransmittersThe Chemical Messengers are the Neurotransmitters Stored in Vesicles in the Pre-Synaptic nerveStored in Vesicles in the Pre-Synaptic nerve Released into the SynapseReleased into the Synapse Attach to receptors in the Post-Synaptic NerveAttach to receptors in the Post-Synaptic Nerve Impulse arrives at the target organ and stimulates a Impulse arrives at the target organ and stimulates a
response such as a thought or a movement or release of response such as a thought or a movement or release of hormoneshormones
NeuroAnatomyNeuroAnatomy
Three Options for the Three Options for the NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters Re-Uptake: majority return to the pre-Re-Uptake: majority return to the pre-
synaptic neuron for repackaging and synaptic neuron for repackaging and recyclingrecycling
Degraded: minority are broken down by Degraded: minority are broken down by enzyme systemsenzyme systems
Excreted: small percentage cross into the Excreted: small percentage cross into the circulatory system to be filtered by the circulatory system to be filtered by the kidney and excreted in the urine kidney and excreted in the urine
BiochemistryBiochemistry
There are over 50 known There are over 50 known neurotransmittersneurotransmitters
Only about a dozen are the major Only about a dozen are the major players that are currently players that are currently measurable and understood to a measurable and understood to a degree that is clinically relevant to degree that is clinically relevant to our health.our health.
How Neurotransmitters are Made How Neurotransmitters are Made
Neurotransmitters are made up of Amino Neurotransmitters are made up of Amino Acids – the building blocks of proteinsAcids – the building blocks of proteins Non-Essential AA’sNon-Essential AA’s Semi-Essential AA’sSemi-Essential AA’s Essential AA’sEssential AA’s
Certain vitamins, enzymes, an other Certain vitamins, enzymes, an other cofactors are necessary for their cofactors are necessary for their production and for the body to maintain a production and for the body to maintain a steady supplysteady supply
Types of NeurotransmittersTypes of Neurotransmitters
Two main categories of Two main categories of neurotransmitters:neurotransmitters: Excitatory neurotransmitters that make Excitatory neurotransmitters that make
up primarily the sympathetic nervous up primarily the sympathetic nervous systemsystem
Inhibitory neurotransmitters that make up Inhibitory neurotransmitters that make up primarily the parasympathetic nervous primarily the parasympathetic nervous system.system.
How Neurotransmitters WorkHow Neurotransmitters Work
Excitatory NeurotransmittersExcitatory Neurotransmitters Increase the likelihood that a neuron’s Increase the likelihood that a neuron’s
signal will be sent signal will be sent Increase energy, drive, motivation, Increase energy, drive, motivation,
learning and muscle activitylearning and muscle activity Are the primary neurotransmitters of the Are the primary neurotransmitters of the
“Fight or Flight” Response “Fight or Flight” Response The gas pedal of our nervous systemThe gas pedal of our nervous system
How Neurotransmitters WorkHow Neurotransmitters Work
Inhibitory NeurotransmittersInhibitory Neurotransmitters Oppose the affect of excitatory receptor Oppose the affect of excitatory receptor
activation and decrease the likelihood activation and decrease the likelihood that a neuron’s signal will be sentthat a neuron’s signal will be sent
Calm the mind and body, induce sleep, Calm the mind and body, induce sleep, and filter out excessive noise from and filter out excessive noise from unnecessary excitatory signalsunnecessary excitatory signals
Control the relaxation response Control the relaxation response The brakes of the nervous systemThe brakes of the nervous system
Excitatory NeurotransmittersExcitatory Neurotransmitters
NorepinephrineNorepinephrine EpinephrineEpinephrine DopamineDopamine GlutamateGlutamate HistamineHistamine Aspartic AcidAspartic Acid PEA (Phenylethylamine)PEA (Phenylethylamine)
Excitatory NeurotransmittersExcitatory Neurotransmitters
Norepinephrine:Norepinephrine:Important for mental focus, Important for mental focus, alertness, emotional alertness, emotional stability, emotional stability, emotional memory, and endocrine memory, and endocrine functionfunction
Too High:Too High:Anxiety, Stress, Anxiety, Stress, Hyperactivity, Hypertension, Hyperactivity, Hypertension, PTSD, ADHDPTSD, ADHD
Too Low:Too Low:Lack of energy, lack of Lack of energy, lack of focus, lack of motivation, focus, lack of motivation, poor mood, pain disorderspoor mood, pain disorders
Epinephrine:Epinephrine:Important for energy, Important for energy, motivation, mental focus motivation, mental focus and arousaland arousal
Too High:Too High:Insomnia, anxiety, attention Insomnia, anxiety, attention problemsproblems
Too Low:Too Low:Fatigue, lack of focus, Fatigue, lack of focus, difficulty losing weightdifficulty losing weight
Dopamine:Dopamine:Joy, pleasure, satisfaction, Joy, pleasure, satisfaction, muscle control, digestive muscle control, digestive function, memoryfunction, memory
Too High:Too High:Poor digestion, Poor digestion, developmental delays, developmental delays, attention problems, attention problems, psychosis, Autismpsychosis, Autism
Too Low:Too Low:Addictions, cravings, motor Addictions, cravings, motor control problems, restless control problems, restless legs, Parkinsons, Autismlegs, Parkinsons, Autism
Glutamate:Glutamate:Primary excitatory Primary excitatory neurotransmitter of the neurotransmitter of the CNS, arousal, learning, CNS, arousal, learning, memorymemory
Too High:Too High:Anxiety, agitation, low Anxiety, agitation, low mood, seizures, immune mood, seizures, immune problems, OCD, Autismproblems, OCD, Autism
Too Low:Too Low:Fatigue , disorganized Fatigue , disorganized thinking, schizophreniathinking, schizophrenia
Excitatory NeurotransmittersExcitatory Neurotransmitters
Histamine:Histamine:Helps control sleep/wake Helps control sleep/wake cycle, modulates norepi and cycle, modulates norepi and epi, involved in energy and epi, involved in energy and motivationmotivation
Too High:Too High:Allergies, inflammatory Allergies, inflammatory response, insomniaresponse, insomnia
Too Low:Too Low:Fatigue, mental Fatigue, mental sluggishnesssluggishness
PEA:PEA:Important for focus and Important for focus and concentration, “love concentration, “love neurotransmitter”neurotransmitter”
Too High:Too High:Mind racing, sleep Mind racing, sleep difficulties, anxietydifficulties, anxiety
Too Low:Too Low:Poor attention, foggy Poor attention, foggy thinking, poor moodthinking, poor mood
Aspartic Acid:Aspartic Acid:Vital for energy and brain Vital for energy and brain functionfunction
Too High:Too High:Seizures, AnxietySeizures, Anxiety
Too Low:Too Low:Fatigue, Low moodFatigue, Low mood
Inhibitory NeurotransmittersInhibitory Neurotransmitters
GABAGABA SerotoninSerotonin GlycineGlycine TaurineTaurine
Inhibitory NeurotransmittersInhibitory Neurotransmitters
GABA:GABA:Primary inhibitory NT of the Primary inhibitory NT of the brain, necessary to feel brain, necessary to feel calm and relaxed, filters calm and relaxed, filters background noise & staticbackground noise & static
Too High: Too High: Usually in response to Usually in response to elevated excitatory elevated excitatory neurotransmitters, sedation neurotransmitters, sedation
Too Low:Too Low:Uncontrolled anxiety, Uncontrolled anxiety, hyperactivity, insomniahyperactivity, insomnia
Serotonin:Serotonin:Important in regulating Important in regulating mood, appetite and sleepmood, appetite and sleep
Too High:Too High:Rarely an issue except with Rarely an issue except with pharmacologic treatment pharmacologic treatment leading to Serotonin leading to Serotonin SyndromeSyndrome
Too Low:Too Low:Depression, anxiety, Depression, anxiety, insomnia, uncontrolled insomnia, uncontrolled appetite, OCD, headaches, appetite, OCD, headaches, hot flasheshot flashes
Glycine:Glycine:Like GABA, tends to calm Like GABA, tends to calm and relax the body and and relax the body and mindmind
Too High:Too High:Anxiety, low mood, stress Anxiety, low mood, stress related symptomsrelated symptoms
Too Low:Too Low:Poorly inhibited excitationPoorly inhibited excitation
Taurine:Taurine:Important for heart function, Important for heart function, healthy sleep, and healthy sleep, and promoting calmnesspromoting calmness
Too High:Too High:Hyperactivity, anxiety, sleep Hyperactivity, anxiety, sleep difficultiesdifficulties
Too Low:Too Low:Uncontrolled anxiety, Uncontrolled anxiety, hyperactivity & insomniahyperactivity & insomnia
Fight or Flight ResponseFight or Flight Response
Prepares us for acute stressPrepares us for acute stress Increased heart rateIncreased heart rate Increased respirationIncreased respiration Increased blood flow to the musclesIncreased blood flow to the muscles Dilated pupilsDilated pupils Hair stands on end – “goose bumps”Hair stands on end – “goose bumps” Decreased blood flow to the skinDecreased blood flow to the skin Decreased blood flow to the gutDecreased blood flow to the gut Decreased immune functionDecreased immune function
Relaxation ResponseRelaxation Response
Allows us to stop and smell the roses!Allows us to stop and smell the roses! Slows the heart rateSlows the heart rate Slows down breathingSlows down breathing Decreases blood flow to the musclesDecreases blood flow to the muscles Constricts pupilsConstricts pupils Increases blood flow to the skinIncreases blood flow to the skin Improves digestive functionImproves digestive function Improves immune functionImproves immune function
A Cute RelaxationA Cute Relaxation
Sometimes i sits and thinks… and Sometimes i sits and thinks… and sometimes i just sits. sometimes i just sits.
Causes of Neurotransmitter Causes of Neurotransmitter ImbalancesImbalances
GeneticsGenetics Environmental ToxinsEnvironmental Toxins Poor Diet/NutritionPoor Diet/Nutrition InfectionsInfections Hormonal ImbalancesHormonal Imbalances Chronic StressChronic Stress
GeneticsGenetics
Psychiatric illnesses run in familiesPsychiatric illnesses run in families Genes that control neurotransmitter Genes that control neurotransmitter
productionproduction Genes that control how the liver Genes that control how the liver
metabolizes neurotransmitters, as well metabolizes neurotransmitters, as well as hormones, toxins and medicationsas hormones, toxins and medications
COMT gene controls how rapidly the COMT gene controls how rapidly the stress hormones are broken downstress hormones are broken down
Orthomolecular Theory of SchizophreniaOrthomolecular Theory of Schizophrenia
Environmental ToxinsEnvironmental Toxins
180,000 new chemicals in the 180,000 new chemicals in the environment in the past 50 years!environment in the past 50 years! Heavy Metals like Mercury and Lead Heavy Metals like Mercury and Lead Pesticides/HerbicidesPesticides/Herbicides PlasticsPlastics Industrial SolventsIndustrial Solvents Antibiotics and Hormones in the food Antibiotics and Hormones in the food
chainchain
Diet & NutritionDiet & Nutrition
We are all nutritionally depleted!We are all nutritionally depleted! Over farming of the landOver farming of the land Picking produce before it is ripePicking produce before it is ripe Overcooking and processingOvercooking and processing Fast foodsFast foods Lack of natural grazing of livestockLack of natural grazing of livestock Rushed meals and loss of ritualRushed meals and loss of ritual
InfectionsInfections
Slow virusesSlow viruses EBV & CMVEBV & CMV
Viruses that reside in the nervesViruses that reside in the nerves Herpes Simplex and ZosterHerpes Simplex and Zoster
Bacterial infections in the mouth & Bacterial infections in the mouth & gutgut
Lyme DiseaseLyme Disease ParasitesParasites
Hormonal ImbalancesHormonal Imbalances
Thyroid ProblemsThyroid Problems MenopauseMenopause AndropauseAndropause Adrenal FatigueAdrenal Fatigue
Chronic StressChronic Stress
Chronic Stress is the major Chronic Stress is the major contributor to at least 85% of all contributor to at least 85% of all health problems and visits to a health problems and visits to a primary care physicianprimary care physician
Digestive ProblemsDigestive Problems
Poor absorption of vitamins and Poor absorption of vitamins and nutrientsnutrients
Overgrowth of abnormal bacteria and Overgrowth of abnormal bacteria and yeast – Dysbiosisyeast – Dysbiosis
Leaky gut syndrome and food allergiesLeaky gut syndrome and food allergies Irritable bowel syndromeIrritable bowel syndrome GERDGERD UlcersUlcers
Immune ProblemsImmune Problems
Difficulty fighting infectionsDifficulty fighting infections Trouble controlling cancer Trouble controlling cancer Compromised repair mechanismsCompromised repair mechanisms Increased inflammation throughout the Increased inflammation throughout the
body and nervous systembody and nervous system
Hormonal ImbalancesHormonal Imbalances
The Nervous System and Endocrine The Nervous System and Endocrine System are intricately connectedSystem are intricately connected Menstrual and fertility problemsMenstrual and fertility problems PMSPMS Erectile dysfunctionErectile dysfunction Thyroid AbnormalitiesThyroid Abnormalities
Cardiovascular ProblemsCardiovascular Problems
HypertensionHypertension AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis ArrhythmiasArrhythmias Heart AttacksHeart Attacks StrokesStrokes
Emotional ProblemsEmotional Problems
DepressionDepression AnxietyAnxiety OCDOCD ADHDADHD Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder SchizophreniaSchizophrenia
Anatomy of a DepressionAnatomy of a Depression
Chronic Emotional Stress Chronic Emotional Stress Financial StressFinancial Stress Sandwich GenerationSandwich Generation Ill Family MemberIll Family Member Relationship DifficultiesRelationship Difficulties Personal Illness Personal Illness Chronic PainChronic Pain Childhood Abuse Childhood Abuse CNN junkieCNN junkie
Anatomy of a DepressionAnatomy of a Depression
Chronic Physiologic StressChronic Physiologic Stress Gut shuts downGut shuts down Overgrowth of bacteria and yeastOvergrowth of bacteria and yeast Nutrients used up more quicklyNutrients used up more quickly Neurotransmitters become depletedNeurotransmitters become depleted Little stresses become big stressesLittle stresses become big stresses Vicious cycle develops that accelerates Vicious cycle develops that accelerates
the whole processthe whole process
How Do Psychoactive Drugs WorkHow Do Psychoactive Drugs Work
3 Basic Mechanisms3 Basic Mechanisms Selective Reuptake InhibitorsSelective Reuptake Inhibitors Receptor Agonists and AntagonistsReceptor Agonists and Antagonists Enzyme ModulatorsEnzyme Modulators
Selective Reuptake InhibitorsSelective Reuptake Inhibitors SSRI’s: Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa, Zoloft, PaxilSSRI’s: Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa, Zoloft, Paxil SNRI’s: Effexor, Cymbalta, PristiqSNRI’s: Effexor, Cymbalta, Pristiq DNRI: WellbutrinDNRI: Wellbutrin
Receptor Agonists & AntagonistsReceptor Agonists & Antagonists
AmphetaminesAmphetamines BenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepines Recreational DrugsRecreational Drugs Anti Psychotic DrugsAnti Psychotic Drugs
Enzyme ModulatorsEnzyme Modulators
MAO Inhibitors: Nardil, Marplan, ParnateMAO Inhibitors: Nardil, Marplan, Parnate
Holistic Treatment of NT ImbalanceHolistic Treatment of NT Imbalance
Treat the Underlying CausesTreat the Underlying Causes Our Symptoms are Our TeachersOur Symptoms are Our Teachers We are More than Our BodyWe are More than Our Body
Treat the Underlying CausesTreat the Underlying Causes
Specialized Diagnostic TestsSpecialized Diagnostic Tests GeneticsGenetics ToxinsToxins Nutritional StatusNutritional Status Food AllergiesFood Allergies NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters
Treat the Underlying CausesTreat the Underlying Causes
DietDiet ExerciseExercise DetoxificationDetoxification Nutritional SupportNutritional Support Stress Reduction/MeditationStress Reduction/Meditation Energy Medicine TechniquesEnergy Medicine Techniques Targeted Amino Acid TherapyTargeted Amino Acid Therapy
Targeted Amino Acid TherapyTargeted Amino Acid Therapy A simple urinary test can assess all of your A simple urinary test can assess all of your
major NT’smajor NT’s Assess the balance between the excitatory Assess the balance between the excitatory
and inhibitory NT’sand inhibitory NT’s Use Targeted Amino Acid Therapy to give Use Targeted Amino Acid Therapy to give
your body the building blocks it needs to your body the building blocks it needs to make more NT’s and bring the nervous make more NT’s and bring the nervous system back in balance.system back in balance. Amino Acid PrecursorsAmino Acid Precursors VitaminsVitamins Co-FactorsCo-Factors
Our Symptoms are our TeachersOur Symptoms are our Teachers
Western MedicineWestern Medicine Symptoms are the enemy. Symptoms are the enemy. The doctor’s job is to destroy the enemyThe doctor’s job is to destroy the enemy
Holistic MedicineHolistic Medicine Our symptoms are our body’s way of Our symptoms are our body’s way of
communicating to us where things are out of communicating to us where things are out of balance in terms of mind, body, emotions, and balance in terms of mind, body, emotions, and spiritspirit
The doctor’s role is to collaborate with the patient The doctor’s role is to collaborate with the patient to identify and correct the imbalances that are to identify and correct the imbalances that are getting in the way of the body’s natural healing getting in the way of the body’s natural healing ability. ability.
We are More than Our Body!We are More than Our Body!
Western Medicine Western Medicine only addresses the only addresses the physical bodyphysical body
Virtually every Virtually every other Medical other Medical System recognizes System recognizes that we have both that we have both a physical body a physical body and an energetic and an energetic bodybody
E=MCE=MC22
Energy MedicineEnergy Medicine
Physical and emotional traumas create Physical and emotional traumas create blockages in the flow of Chiblockages in the flow of Chi
Blockages are experienced as anxiety or Blockages are experienced as anxiety or tension triggering the Fight or Flight Responsetension triggering the Fight or Flight Response
Cause physical and emotional disordersCause physical and emotional disorders
Energy MedicineEnergy Medicine
AcupunctureAcupuncture ReikiReiki Tai Chi Tai Chi Qi Gong Qi Gong Healing TouchHealing Touch EFT – Emotional EFT – Emotional
Freedom Freedom TechniqueTechnique
The Big QuestionsThe Big Questions
Who are we?Who are we? What brings us joy?What brings us joy? What is our passion?What is our passion? Are we listening to our inner voice?Are we listening to our inner voice? What is our Soul Purpose? What is our Soul Purpose?
How are we connected?How are we connected? With ourselves?With ourselves? With our loved ones?With our loved ones? With our community?With our community? With a higher power?With a higher power?
The Big QuestionsThe Big Questions
Is our mind the master or the Is our mind the master or the servant?servant? 60,000 thoughts per day60,000 thoughts per day Anticipating the future, perseverating Anticipating the future, perseverating
about the pastabout the past MeditationMeditation
The Power of NowThe Power of Now Observer SelfObserver Self
So the real question becomes…So the real question becomes…