Anxiety and Stress and Our Neurotransmitters

What Are Neurotransmitters?

Our mental health largely depends on how well the chemicals and the neurotransmitters in our brain are functioning, so let’s gain a better understanding of what they are or do.

NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters are the chemicals in the brain which are responsible for communicating information all throughout our body. They transmit information by relaying signals via nerve cells that are called “neurons”.

For example our brain uses neurotransmitters in order to relay signals to our heart, telling it to beat.

It is also those neurotransmitters that relay a message to our lungs for them to breathe and for our stomach to digest our food. Our mood, weight, sleep and concentration are also largely influenced by neurotransmitters.

If our neurotransmitters get out of balance they can cause a lot of problems. Many factors in our lifestyle can affect our levels, including an unhealthy diet, (you can eat foods that help your levels), stress, genetic predisposition, medications, alcoholic beverages and caffeine.

Inhibitory and Excitatory Neurotransmitters

  • Inhibitory neurotransmitters are responsible for calming our brain and help it to achieve balance.
  • Excitatory neurotransmitters stimulate our brain…make it excited.

Dopamine and serotonin are two types of neurotransmitters you may have heard of before.

Examples of Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

  • Serotonin

Serotonin is one example of inhibitory neurotransmitters.  Serotonin is necessary for stabilizing our mood and for balancing the number of excitatory neurotransmitters being fired into our brain. However, as I have explained many times, frequent intake of stimulant drugs or caffeine may lead to the depletion of your serotonin levels.

  • GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid)

GABA is sometimes referred to as ‘nature’s valium-like neurotransmitter’ and with the right levels of GABA, it works towards balancing the excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain.

Examples of Excitatory Neurotransmitters

  • Dopamine

Dopamine is the ‘feel-good’ chemical that can function both as an inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter. If your dopamine levels are balanced, your body can reduce your symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress.

  • Norepinephrine

If at elevated levels, norepinephrine may lead to different symptoms of anxiety, lack of focus, fatigue and sleeping problems.

  • Epinephrine

People who exhibit ADHD symptoms are said to have elevated levels of epinephrine in their body. This neurotransmitter also plays a crucial role in regulating our blood pressure and heart rate.

All these terms are hard to understand, but I was asked what neurotransmitters were and if I could explain it a little more simply. I hope this summary has made it easier. The bottom line is as I say in nearly all my articles is to keep your body balanced and your serotonin and dopamine levels in a balanced state. To do that you start by eating a healthy diet, exercise regularly, sleep well and supplement your body if you are lacking in vital minerals and vitamins.

It isn’t too difficult to set a healthy lifestyle plan and to keep anxiety and stress levels at bay.

 

References:

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/genpsyneurotransmitters.html
http://panicdisorder.about.com/od/understandingpanic/a/neurotrans.htm

Affiliate Disclosure

My website contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase any products mentioned in my articles, I may receive a commission. If you do, thank you!

About Jennifer Johnson

I suffered with social anxiety and stress for years. I discovered what my triggers were and learned to control them. Hopefully some of the natural anxiety relief techniques I have tried, will also be your solution.

Comments

  1. Janet Dougherty says

    I am new to this forum, so hello to all. Stress and anxiety have been factors in my life since I was a child. I am 58 now and have been diagnosed with depression, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and still struggle every day. I see my primary care doctor regularly who helps with medications. I wanted to take part in this so that I can learn what kinds of natural techniques may help me as well.

    • Jennifer Johnson says

      Hi Janet,

      My website is full of natural techniques for help in managing feelings of depression, anxiety, panic attacks and more. I share my own experiences, but also when people share me their own, if allowed I share them too!

      There are so many things you can do, but the first one I recommend is keeping a journal. I have written about that here:

      https://anxietyreliefstress.com/panic-and-anxiety-attacks-journal/

      Please ask questions on any articles that you may read…and you may want to subscribe to my newsletter too.

      Have a lovely day! Jennifer

Speak Your Mind

*