Neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine (ACH)

Acetylcholine (ACH)

• Excitatory everywhere but the heart

• Manages sleep cycle, important for the muscular system, learning and memory.

• Deficiency: Dementia, Alzheimers(ALZ)

• Excess: Depression, very unlikely

Epinephrine (Adrenaline)

• Excitatory

• Fight or flight response. Energy and metabolism

• Deficit: Depression/ fatigue

• Too much: Hypertension, heart palpitations, anxiety/ panic disorder

Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline)

• Excitatory

• Maintains alertness + Wakefullness. Eating + Appetite

• Not enough: depression, loss of appetite, low focus, anxiety, fatigue, hypotension, long term memory issues.

• Excess: impaired sleep cycle, panic disorder/ anxiety.

GABA

• Main inhibitory neurotransmitter

• Reduces neural excitability. mood and emotion. slows things down.

• Not enough: Anxiety, seizures, stress disorders, irritability, insomnia, alcoholism.— alcohol increases production of this neurotransmitter and inhibits glutamate

• Too much: Lightheadedness, fatigue, lethargy, unlikely to occur

Dopamine

• Excitatory/ inhibitory

• Inhibits unecassary movements. Stimulates growth hormone secretion, 4 M’s

• Not enough: Parkinson’s, tremors, restless leg syndrome, lack of motivation, depression, anhedonia, memory issues, addictive tendencies.

• Too much: Schizophrenia, aggression

Serotonin

• Inhibitory

• Regulates body temp, pain, emotions, sleep cycle, appetite

• Not enough: OCD, depression, anxiety, digestive issues, memory issues, insomnia, impulse control issues, low self esteem, carb cravings

• Too much: Serotonin toxicity/ Serotonin syndrome, muscle twitching, feverish, stroke, confusion, agitation

Glutamate

• Main excitatory

• Regulates CNS excitability, learning process and memory, attention and concentration.

• Not enough: Memory issues, ADHD, autism- unlikely to occur naturally

• Too much: Excitotoxicity, ALZ, seizures, brain damage, mania

Endorphins

• Inhibitory

• Pain signals and euphoria, natural painkiller

• Not enough: PAIN, sleep difficulties, carb cravings, low pain tolerance

• too much: Unlikely to occur naturally