Brain Chemicals & Functions

The brain has several different chemicals. The major chemicals, the neurotransmitters, are serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters carry electric messages from nerve cell to nerve cell. When all of the chemicals, especially the neurotransmitters, are working together in the correct balance, the body and mind are healthy, but if any of the chemical levels are too high or too low, mental and physical problems arise.

Serotonin

• Tryptophan is an amino acid that causes levels of the brain chemical serotonin to increase. Serotonin creates a feeling of happiness and regulates mood; therefore, it is important for healthy living. Low levels of serotonin cause feelings of depression, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, loss of concentration, chronic pain, trouble sleeping, among other symptoms. Medications for treating depression work by increasing serotonin levels.

Dopamine

• Dopamine is a brain chemical that controls such things as how the body moves, a person's emotions, and pain or pleasure. Low levels of dopamine cause problems with movement such as rigid muscles, a wobbly gait and posture, muscle aches, tremors, issues with speaking, and confusion or dementia-like symptoms. If dopamine levels are too high, this will trigger feelings of excitability, and if kept at high levels, this will end up making a person paranoid and nervous. Illegal drugs such as cocaine, marijuana and heroin are addictive because they increase dopamine levels slightly, making the addict feel good or "high."

Norepinephrine

• The adrenal glands are responsible for releasing norepinephrine, a hormone that responds to stress. Norepinephrine makes the heart beat faster under stressful situations and prepares the muscles for action by producing energy from glycogen and glucose. This is the flight-or-fight response. Norepinephrine also regulates a person's attention and plays a part in attention deficit disorder when levels are low.