serotonin and glutamate

trouble with supplements

FDA doesn’t review dietary supplements for safety, effectiveness or label accuracy which means supplements might contain additives not on the labels

verifying supplements

if you consider supplements, look for ones that have third-party certifications

serotonin (t-HydroxyTryptamine)

neurotransmitter made from tryptophan, which comes from our diets, which can be excitatory OR inhibitory, and has 13+ types of serotonin receptors

serotonin & behavior

diets low in tryptophan increase feelings of sadness, serotonin is important for sleeping, mood, appetite, and aggression

medications for depression

increase serotonin levels in the brain

localization of 5-HT neuronal pathways

Almost all serotongergic neurons in the CNS are found along the midline of the brainstem, associated with the raphe nuclei. The dorsal and median raphe nuclei give rise to most of the serotonergic fibers in the forebrain and cortex.

role of serotonin in sensory perception

serotonin can enhance sensory perception and drugs that activate serotonin receptors alter our perceptual experiences

psychedic drugs that activate 5-HT2A receptors

LSD, psilocybin, DMT/Ayahuasca, MDMA (ecstacy)

serotonin and psychedelic drugs

produce changes in mood, sensory distortion, altered awareness, hallucinations

brain on LSD

LSD increased the number of brain regions participating in visual processing

the brain on psilocybin

may induce neuroplasticity and disrupt existing network connectivity in the brain; increased activation of derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

serotonin modulates memory formation

modulates protein synthesis and LTP in the hippocampus; in Alzheimer’s the loss of serotonin may contribute to mild cognitive impairment during early stages of the condition

5-HT2a and fear processing

LSD impairs recognition of fear in faces and increases emotional empathy by decreasing amygdala activity

medical indications for psychedelics

5-HT2A agonists are being investigated as treatments for mental health conditions like PTSD, MDD, and SUD

how MDMA (ecstasy) works

MDMA blocks serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine transporters which increases the levels of these neurotransmitters in the synapse

MDMA medical uses

reduces brain activation to trauma-related scripts/PTSD symptoms

MDMA high doses

can lead to loss of serotonin neurons and may contribute to depression symptoms in people who use

neurobiology of depression

associated with reduced volume and activity in the hippocampus

ketamine’s effect on BDNF

can enhance BDNF in some people, reducing depression symptoms

medical use of ketamine

esketamine is a nasal spray for treatment resistant depression (the lingering symptoms in people ho have taken multiple antidepressants)