Definition of Norepinephrine

Norepinephrine is the amine (basic compound) responsible for the regulation of alertness and arousal; an imbalance of it can cause fatigue and depression. If you are feeling depressed, it's possible that your brain has run out of the large amounts of norepinephrine it needs to keep your mood elevated. Food, supplements and even antidepressants can help you regulate the amount of norepinephrine in your brain.

Function

• Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter---a chemical in your brain that is used to send messages about your mood from one area of the brain to another. Norepinephrine, along with serotonin, is produced in your brain and then sent throughout the rest of your nervous system. As your emotions fluctuate, so do your levels of norepinephrine, helping you to cope with stressors.

Significance

• Norepinephrine can boost your mood and elevate your level of alertness. The fight or flight response, as well as other factors of emotional behavior, is triggered in part by norepinephrine. The chemical also transmits pleasure, motivation and euphoria, which is why the lack of it causes adverse effects, such as depression, insomnia and a low sex drive. Norepinephrine carries short-term memories to long-term storage and stimulates your metabolism. It and other neurotransmitters aid in memory, decrease pain and suppress your appetite.

Diet

• A deficiency in polyunsaturated fatty acids can effect norepinephrine adversely. Your brain creates norepinephrine from the proteins and vitamins in your diet that supply it with amino acids, particularly DL-phenylalanine (or DLPA). Amino acids are helpful in kick-starting the functions of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine; if your diet is lacking the proper amount of amino acids, you could start experiencing depression. Phenylalanine plays an important part in norepinephrine production. Phenylalanine is converted to phenylethylamine, or PEA, which is also found in chocolate. This explains why sadness or depression can make you crave chocolate.

Medication

• Some antidepressants increase the effects of the norepinephrine and serotonin by making your brain think it has more of these neurotransmitters than it actually does. However, sometimes these medications can have adverse side effects, such as anxiety, that can increase symptoms of depression. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of depression, consult your doctor to see if an antidepressant is right for you.

ADD

• An imbalance in the levels of norepinephrine is thought to contribute to symptoms of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Children who are affected with ADHD sometimes do well with medications that increase their levels of norepinephrine. Adults who feel symptoms of depression due to a norepinephrine imbalance may also have ADD.