In
the spring of 1977. Tools had been discovered
that were enabling scientists to penetrate
the very interior of single nerve cells in the
brain. Important discoveries were being made almost
daily about the inner workings of the brain. We
now know that vital chemicals carry messages between
brain cells. In essence, they allow brain cells
to "talk to" one another.
On a typical day in the brain, trillions
of messages are sent and received. The messages
that are happy, up beat messages are carried by
the brain's "HAPPY MESSENGERS" (technically
known as Biogenic Amine/Endorphin System). Other
messages are somber and quieting. They are carried
by the brain's "SAD MESSENGERS". Most
nerve centers receive input from both types of
messengers. As long as this input is balanced,
everything runs along on an even keel.
Stress,
however, causes problems with the brain's Happy
Messengers. When life is smooth, the happy
messages keep up with demand. But when too much
stress is placed on the brain, the Happy Messengers
begin to fall behind on their deliveries. As the
stress continues, the happy messages begin to fail.
Important nerve centers then receive mostly SAD
MESSAGES, and the whole brain becomes dipressed.
The person enters a state of brain chemical imbalance
.
Enter Seratonin: The chemistry of
Well-Being.
|
Serotonin, must work
properly in order for you to sleep well.
Serotonin is responsible for making sure
that your body's physiology is set for sleeping.
If Serotonin does not do its job properly,
you will not be able to obtain a restful
sleep, no matter how hard you try.
|
More than 100,000 chemical reactions
go on in your
brain every second!
The brain is also a radio transmitter, which sends
out measurable electrical wave signals. In fact the brain continues
to send out these signals many hours after death!
Among the brain's many jobs is to be your own chemist.
The brain produces more than 50 identified active drugs. Some of these
are associated with memory, others with intelligence, still others
are sedatives.
Endorphin is the brain's
painkiller, and it is 3 times more potent than morphine. Scientific
research over the last several decades has led to the revolutionary
discovery of opiate-like chemicals in the body that associate with
opiate specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord, including Serotonin,
a hormone manufactured by your brain.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, involved in the
transmission of nerve impulses.
It is manufactured in your body using the amino
acid tryptophan. Release of serotonin or other drugs (depending on
the type of nerve) causes the other nerve to fire and continue the
message along the "cable".. The neurotransmitters are dopamine, serotonin,
and norepinephrine. At the neurochemical and physiological level, neurotransmitters
are extremely important, since they carry impulses between nerve cells.
The substance that processes the neurotransmitter called serotonin
is the amino acid tryptophan. It increases the amount of serotonin
made by the brain. Certain aminos cause you to have better feeling
of well being. Serotonin is a chemical that helps maintain a "happy
feeling," and seems to help keep our moods under control by helping
with sleep, calming anxiety, and relieving depression.
The brain also makes Dopamine, which makes people
more talkative and excitable. It affects brain processes that control
movement, emotional response, and ability to experience pleasure and
pain. All of these chemicals are natural chemicals that affect our
bodily processes. Besides being involved in the process of addiction,
low Serotonin levels are believed to be the reason for many cases of
mild to moderate depression which can lead to symptoms like anxiety,
apathy, fear, feelings of worthlessness, insomnia and fatigue. We are
learning that depression is related to and a number of other health
issues. Depression is the nation's most prevalent mental health problem,
affecting about 15 million Americans who spend about $3 billion a year
on drugs to battle it. Almost all of these medicines target either
serotonin or norepinephrine, brain chemicals which are neurotransmitters. "Research
over the past two decades has shown...that depression is an important
risk factor for heart disease along with high blood cholesterol and
high blood pressure." - National Institute of Mental Health A whole
new class of antidepressant medications has been developed that affects
chemical messengers within the brain (the neurotransmitters). These
medications are believed to work by regulating the release or action
of Serotonin. Those drugs do help many patients, but they can cause
serious side effects, and some 20 percent of patients get no help from
today's medicines.
| Research demonstrates that CES produces a mild stimulation in the hypothalamic area of the brain, resulting in balancing neurotransmitter activity (in particular Beta Endorphin and Norepinephrine). The effects achieved are similar to that of a "jogger's high" |
People seeking these medications normally indicate
a feeling of being more or less in a state of depression. They may
feel emotionally numb, "nothing feels nice," and/or vague aches and
pains or perhaps the sensation of "aching all over," and almost invariably
have a sense of some isolation. Some people do not admit anger, sadness
or guilt; instead they withdraw and hide from society. They lose all
interest in things around them and become incapable of any pleasure.
Things appear bleak and time passes slowly for them. They are typically
angry and irritable. They often try sleeping off their depression or
do nothing but sit or lay around. In most people depression is not
severe. They can still function, but do so at a lower capacity and
at a slower pace. Symptoms of depression include chronic fatigue syndrome,
insomnia or sleeping frequently and for excessive periods of time,
loss of appetite or a ravenous appetite, headaches, backaches, colon
disorders, and feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy. Many think
of death and consider suicide.
from http://altered-states.net/barry/newsletter185/
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