The Effects of Shortage of Serotonin & Dopamine

Seratonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters. What this means is that they act as chemical messengers between brain cells to relay "messages" between the cells. Insufficient seratonin and dopamine can cause a host of problems.

ADD

• One effect of a shortage of dopamine and seratonin is ADD. ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder and it manifests as either the attentive or inattentive type. There can also be a component of hyperactivity making the diagnosis ADHD.

Depression

• A second effect of a shortage of dopamine and seratonin is depression. When these chemicals are low, the pleasure and reward centers are unable to be satisfied and this causes depression. Depression can be treated by drugs that increase the levels of dopamine and seratonin is the brain.

Parkinsons Disease

• A third effect of a shortage of dopamine is Parkinsons Disease. Dopamine pathways are related to movement and the lack of dopamine causes the movement disorder that is present in Parkinsons Disease. This is treatable through dopamine agonists that stimulate dopamine receptors.

Obesity

• A fourth effect of a shortage of seratonin is obesity. A shortage of dopamine and seratonin has been linked to binge eating. Furthermore, treatment for obesity can include drugs that increase seratonin levels in the brain.

Anxiety

• A fifth effect of a shortage of seratonin is anxiety. Anxiety can be caused be insufficient seratonin. Drugs that increase seratonin can be used to treat anxiety,