Balancing your NeurotransmittersBalancing your Neurotransmitters for Optimal for Optimal

Physical and Emotional HealthPhysical and Emotional Healthbyby

Bruce A. Roberts, MDBruce A. Roberts, MDInstitute for Health & HealingInstitute for Health & Healing

Tonight’s Class ScheduleTonight’s Class Schedule

11stst Period – NeuroAnatomy Period – NeuroAnatomy 22ndnd Period – Biochemistry Period – Biochemistry 33rdrd Period – Physiology Period – Physiology 44thth Period – Pathology Period – Pathology 55thth Period – Pharmacology Period – Pharmacology 66thth Period – Holistic Medicine Period – Holistic Medicine 77thth Period - Philosophy Period - Philosophy

1st Period:1st Period:NeuroAnatomyNeuroAnatomy

A Brief Review of NeuroAnatomyA Brief Review of NeuroAnatomy

The Nervous The Nervous System is divided System is divided anatomically anatomically between the between the Central Nervous Central Nervous System (CNS) System (CNS) which is made up which is made up of the Brain and of the Brain and Spinal Cord…Spinal Cord…

NeuroAnatomyNeuroAnatomy

……and the and the Peripheral Nervous Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) that System (PNS) that connects the CNS connects the CNS to all of your to all of your tissues, organs, tissues, organs, and glands. and glands.

NeuroAnatomyNeuroAnatomy

The Voluntary Nervous System (VNS)The Voluntary Nervous System (VNS) Controls voluntary activities like singing, Controls voluntary activities like singing,

dancing, walking, talkingdancing, walking, talking The Involuntary or Autonomic The Involuntary or Autonomic

Nervous System (ANS)Nervous System (ANS) Controls the involuntary activities like Controls the involuntary activities like

breathing, blood pressure, temperature, breathing, blood pressure, temperature, digestion, endocrine, and immune digestion, endocrine, and immune function function

NeuroAnatomyNeuroAnatomy

The ANS is further divided into two The ANS is further divided into two parts:parts: The Sympathetic Nervous System that The Sympathetic Nervous System that

controls the “Fight or Flight” response, controls the “Fight or Flight” response, and and

The Parasympathetic Nervous System The Parasympathetic Nervous System that controls the “Relaxation” response.that controls the “Relaxation” response.

NeuroAnatomyNeuroAnatomy

Dendrites - receive chemical messages from other Dendrites - receive chemical messages from other neurons neurons

Cell Body – process the info and converts it to an Cell Body – process the info and converts it to an electrical impulseelectrical impulse

Axon – carries the impulse down the nerveAxon – carries the impulse down the nerve Axon Terminal – releases chemical messengers into the Axon Terminal – releases chemical messengers into the

space between nerves called the Synapse.space between nerves called the Synapse.

What are Neurotransmitters?What are Neurotransmitters?

The chemical messengers that The chemical messengers that relay, amplify and modulate relay, amplify and modulate

information between a nerve cell information between a nerve cell and another cell and another cell

NeuroAnatomyNeuroAnatomy

The Chemical Messengers are the NeurotransmittersThe Chemical Messengers are the Neurotransmitters Stored in Vesicles in the Pre-Synaptic nerveStored in Vesicles in the Pre-Synaptic nerve Released into the SynapseReleased into the Synapse Attach to receptors in the Post-Synaptic NerveAttach to receptors in the Post-Synaptic Nerve Impulse arrives at the target organ and stimulates a Impulse arrives at the target organ and stimulates a

response such as a thought or a movement or release of response such as a thought or a movement or release of hormoneshormones

NeuroAnatomyNeuroAnatomy

Three Options for the Three Options for the NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters Re-Uptake: majority return to the pre-Re-Uptake: majority return to the pre-

synaptic neuron for repackaging and synaptic neuron for repackaging and recyclingrecycling

Degraded: minority are broken down by Degraded: minority are broken down by enzyme systemsenzyme systems

Excreted: small percentage cross into the Excreted: small percentage cross into the circulatory system to be filtered by the circulatory system to be filtered by the kidney and excreted in the urine kidney and excreted in the urine

22ndnd Period PeriodBiochemistryBiochemistry

BiochemistryBiochemistry

There are over 50 known There are over 50 known neurotransmittersneurotransmitters

Only about a dozen are the major Only about a dozen are the major players that are currently players that are currently measurable and understood to a measurable and understood to a degree that is clinically relevant to degree that is clinically relevant to our health.our health.

How Neurotransmitters are Made How Neurotransmitters are Made

Neurotransmitters are made up of Amino Neurotransmitters are made up of Amino Acids – the building blocks of proteinsAcids – the building blocks of proteins Non-Essential AA’sNon-Essential AA’s Semi-Essential AA’sSemi-Essential AA’s Essential AA’sEssential AA’s

Certain vitamins, enzymes, an other Certain vitamins, enzymes, an other cofactors are necessary for their cofactors are necessary for their production and for the body to maintain a production and for the body to maintain a steady supplysteady supply

Types of NeurotransmittersTypes of Neurotransmitters

Two main categories of Two main categories of neurotransmitters:neurotransmitters: Excitatory neurotransmitters that make Excitatory neurotransmitters that make

up primarily the sympathetic nervous up primarily the sympathetic nervous systemsystem

Inhibitory neurotransmitters that make up Inhibitory neurotransmitters that make up primarily the parasympathetic nervous primarily the parasympathetic nervous system.system.

Neurotransmitter PathwaysNeurotransmitter Pathways

33rdrd Period PeriodPhysiologyPhysiology

How Neurotransmitters WorkHow Neurotransmitters Work

Excitatory NeurotransmittersExcitatory Neurotransmitters Increase the likelihood that a neuron’s Increase the likelihood that a neuron’s

signal will be sent signal will be sent Increase energy, drive, motivation, Increase energy, drive, motivation,

learning and muscle activitylearning and muscle activity Are the primary neurotransmitters of the Are the primary neurotransmitters of the

“Fight or Flight” Response “Fight or Flight” Response The gas pedal of our nervous systemThe gas pedal of our nervous system

How Neurotransmitters WorkHow Neurotransmitters Work

Inhibitory NeurotransmittersInhibitory Neurotransmitters Oppose the affect of excitatory receptor Oppose the affect of excitatory receptor

activation and decrease the likelihood activation and decrease the likelihood that a neuron’s signal will be sentthat a neuron’s signal will be sent

Calm the mind and body, induce sleep, Calm the mind and body, induce sleep, and filter out excessive noise from and filter out excessive noise from unnecessary excitatory signalsunnecessary excitatory signals

Control the relaxation response Control the relaxation response The brakes of the nervous systemThe brakes of the nervous system

Excitatory NeurotransmittersExcitatory Neurotransmitters

NorepinephrineNorepinephrine EpinephrineEpinephrine DopamineDopamine GlutamateGlutamate HistamineHistamine Aspartic AcidAspartic Acid PEA (Phenylethylamine)PEA (Phenylethylamine)

Excitatory NeurotransmittersExcitatory Neurotransmitters

Norepinephrine:Norepinephrine:Important for mental focus, Important for mental focus, alertness, emotional alertness, emotional stability, emotional stability, emotional memory, and endocrine memory, and endocrine functionfunction

Too High:Too High:Anxiety, Stress, Anxiety, Stress, Hyperactivity, Hypertension, Hyperactivity, Hypertension, PTSD, ADHDPTSD, ADHD

Too Low:Too Low:Lack of energy, lack of Lack of energy, lack of focus, lack of motivation, focus, lack of motivation, poor mood, pain disorderspoor mood, pain disorders

Epinephrine:Epinephrine:Important for energy, Important for energy, motivation, mental focus motivation, mental focus and arousaland arousal

Too High:Too High:Insomnia, anxiety, attention Insomnia, anxiety, attention problemsproblems

Too Low:Too Low:Fatigue, lack of focus, Fatigue, lack of focus, difficulty losing weightdifficulty losing weight

Dopamine:Dopamine:Joy, pleasure, satisfaction, Joy, pleasure, satisfaction, muscle control, digestive muscle control, digestive function, memoryfunction, memory

Too High:Too High:Poor digestion, Poor digestion, developmental delays, developmental delays, attention problems, attention problems, psychosis, Autismpsychosis, Autism

Too Low:Too Low:Addictions, cravings, motor Addictions, cravings, motor control problems, restless control problems, restless legs, Parkinsons, Autismlegs, Parkinsons, Autism

Glutamate:Glutamate:Primary excitatory Primary excitatory neurotransmitter of the neurotransmitter of the CNS, arousal, learning, CNS, arousal, learning, memorymemory

Too High:Too High:Anxiety, agitation, low Anxiety, agitation, low mood, seizures, immune mood, seizures, immune problems, OCD, Autismproblems, OCD, Autism

Too Low:Too Low:Fatigue , disorganized Fatigue , disorganized thinking, schizophreniathinking, schizophrenia

Excitatory NeurotransmittersExcitatory Neurotransmitters

Histamine:Histamine:Helps control sleep/wake Helps control sleep/wake cycle, modulates norepi and cycle, modulates norepi and epi, involved in energy and epi, involved in energy and motivationmotivation

Too High:Too High:Allergies, inflammatory Allergies, inflammatory response, insomniaresponse, insomnia

Too Low:Too Low:Fatigue, mental Fatigue, mental sluggishnesssluggishness

PEA:PEA:Important for focus and Important for focus and concentration, “love concentration, “love neurotransmitter”neurotransmitter”

Too High:Too High:Mind racing, sleep Mind racing, sleep difficulties, anxietydifficulties, anxiety

Too Low:Too Low:Poor attention, foggy Poor attention, foggy thinking, poor moodthinking, poor mood

Aspartic Acid:Aspartic Acid:Vital for energy and brain Vital for energy and brain functionfunction

Too High:Too High:Seizures, AnxietySeizures, Anxiety

Too Low:Too Low:Fatigue, Low moodFatigue, Low mood

Inhibitory NeurotransmittersInhibitory Neurotransmitters

GABAGABA SerotoninSerotonin GlycineGlycine TaurineTaurine

Inhibitory NeurotransmittersInhibitory Neurotransmitters

GABA:GABA:Primary inhibitory NT of the Primary inhibitory NT of the brain, necessary to feel brain, necessary to feel calm and relaxed, filters calm and relaxed, filters background noise & staticbackground noise & static

Too High: Too High: Usually in response to Usually in response to elevated excitatory elevated excitatory neurotransmitters, sedation neurotransmitters, sedation

Too Low:Too Low:Uncontrolled anxiety, Uncontrolled anxiety, hyperactivity, insomniahyperactivity, insomnia

Serotonin:Serotonin:Important in regulating Important in regulating mood, appetite and sleepmood, appetite and sleep

Too High:Too High:Rarely an issue except with Rarely an issue except with pharmacologic treatment pharmacologic treatment leading to Serotonin leading to Serotonin SyndromeSyndrome

Too Low:Too Low:Depression, anxiety, Depression, anxiety, insomnia, uncontrolled insomnia, uncontrolled appetite, OCD, headaches, appetite, OCD, headaches, hot flasheshot flashes

Glycine:Glycine:Like GABA, tends to calm Like GABA, tends to calm and relax the body and and relax the body and mindmind

Too High:Too High:Anxiety, low mood, stress Anxiety, low mood, stress related symptomsrelated symptoms

Too Low:Too Low:Poorly inhibited excitationPoorly inhibited excitation

Taurine:Taurine:Important for heart function, Important for heart function, healthy sleep, and healthy sleep, and promoting calmnesspromoting calmness

Too High:Too High:Hyperactivity, anxiety, sleep Hyperactivity, anxiety, sleep difficultiesdifficulties

Too Low:Too Low:Uncontrolled anxiety, Uncontrolled anxiety, hyperactivity & insomniahyperactivity & insomnia

Fight or Flight ResponseFight or Flight Response

Prepares us for acute stressPrepares us for acute stress Increased heart rateIncreased heart rate Increased respirationIncreased respiration Increased blood flow to the musclesIncreased blood flow to the muscles Dilated pupilsDilated pupils Hair stands on end – “goose bumps”Hair stands on end – “goose bumps” Decreased blood flow to the skinDecreased blood flow to the skin Decreased blood flow to the gutDecreased blood flow to the gut Decreased immune functionDecreased immune function

A Not So Cute StressA Not So Cute Stress

Relaxation ResponseRelaxation Response

Allows us to stop and smell the roses!Allows us to stop and smell the roses! Slows the heart rateSlows the heart rate Slows down breathingSlows down breathing Decreases blood flow to the musclesDecreases blood flow to the muscles Constricts pupilsConstricts pupils Increases blood flow to the skinIncreases blood flow to the skin Improves digestive functionImproves digestive function Improves immune functionImproves immune function

A Cute RelaxationA Cute Relaxation

Sometimes i sits and thinks… and Sometimes i sits and thinks… and sometimes i just sits. sometimes i just sits.

44thth Period PeriodPathologyPathology

Causes of Neurotransmitter Causes of Neurotransmitter ImbalancesImbalances

GeneticsGenetics Environmental ToxinsEnvironmental Toxins Poor Diet/NutritionPoor Diet/Nutrition InfectionsInfections Hormonal ImbalancesHormonal Imbalances Chronic StressChronic Stress

GeneticsGenetics

Psychiatric illnesses run in familiesPsychiatric illnesses run in families Genes that control neurotransmitter Genes that control neurotransmitter

productionproduction Genes that control how the liver Genes that control how the liver

metabolizes neurotransmitters, as well metabolizes neurotransmitters, as well as hormones, toxins and medicationsas hormones, toxins and medications

COMT gene controls how rapidly the COMT gene controls how rapidly the stress hormones are broken downstress hormones are broken down

Orthomolecular Theory of SchizophreniaOrthomolecular Theory of Schizophrenia

Environmental ToxinsEnvironmental Toxins

180,000 new chemicals in the 180,000 new chemicals in the environment in the past 50 years!environment in the past 50 years! Heavy Metals like Mercury and Lead Heavy Metals like Mercury and Lead Pesticides/HerbicidesPesticides/Herbicides PlasticsPlastics Industrial SolventsIndustrial Solvents Antibiotics and Hormones in the food Antibiotics and Hormones in the food

chainchain

Diet & NutritionDiet & Nutrition

We are all nutritionally depleted!We are all nutritionally depleted! Over farming of the landOver farming of the land Picking produce before it is ripePicking produce before it is ripe Overcooking and processingOvercooking and processing Fast foodsFast foods Lack of natural grazing of livestockLack of natural grazing of livestock Rushed meals and loss of ritualRushed meals and loss of ritual

InfectionsInfections

Slow virusesSlow viruses EBV & CMVEBV & CMV

Viruses that reside in the nervesViruses that reside in the nerves Herpes Simplex and ZosterHerpes Simplex and Zoster

Bacterial infections in the mouth & Bacterial infections in the mouth & gutgut

Lyme DiseaseLyme Disease ParasitesParasites

Hormonal ImbalancesHormonal Imbalances

Thyroid ProblemsThyroid Problems MenopauseMenopause AndropauseAndropause Adrenal FatigueAdrenal Fatigue

Chronic StressChronic Stress

Chronic Stress is the major Chronic Stress is the major contributor to at least 85% of all contributor to at least 85% of all health problems and visits to a health problems and visits to a primary care physicianprimary care physician

Digestive ProblemsDigestive Problems

Poor absorption of vitamins and Poor absorption of vitamins and nutrientsnutrients

Overgrowth of abnormal bacteria and Overgrowth of abnormal bacteria and yeast – Dysbiosisyeast – Dysbiosis

Leaky gut syndrome and food allergiesLeaky gut syndrome and food allergies Irritable bowel syndromeIrritable bowel syndrome GERDGERD UlcersUlcers

Immune ProblemsImmune Problems

Difficulty fighting infectionsDifficulty fighting infections Trouble controlling cancer Trouble controlling cancer Compromised repair mechanismsCompromised repair mechanisms Increased inflammation throughout the Increased inflammation throughout the

body and nervous systembody and nervous system

Hormonal ImbalancesHormonal Imbalances

The Nervous System and Endocrine The Nervous System and Endocrine System are intricately connectedSystem are intricately connected Menstrual and fertility problemsMenstrual and fertility problems PMSPMS Erectile dysfunctionErectile dysfunction Thyroid AbnormalitiesThyroid Abnormalities

Cardiovascular ProblemsCardiovascular Problems

HypertensionHypertension AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis ArrhythmiasArrhythmias Heart AttacksHeart Attacks StrokesStrokes

Emotional ProblemsEmotional Problems

DepressionDepression AnxietyAnxiety OCDOCD ADHDADHD Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder SchizophreniaSchizophrenia

Anatomy of a DepressionAnatomy of a Depression

Chronic Emotional Stress Chronic Emotional Stress Financial StressFinancial Stress Sandwich GenerationSandwich Generation Ill Family MemberIll Family Member Relationship DifficultiesRelationship Difficulties Personal Illness Personal Illness Chronic PainChronic Pain Childhood Abuse Childhood Abuse CNN junkieCNN junkie

Anatomy of a DepressionAnatomy of a Depression

Chronic Physiologic StressChronic Physiologic Stress Gut shuts downGut shuts down Overgrowth of bacteria and yeastOvergrowth of bacteria and yeast Nutrients used up more quicklyNutrients used up more quickly Neurotransmitters become depletedNeurotransmitters become depleted Little stresses become big stressesLittle stresses become big stresses Vicious cycle develops that accelerates Vicious cycle develops that accelerates

the whole processthe whole process

Clinical Clinical Depression!Depression!

55thth Period PeriodPharmacologyPharmacology

How Do Psychoactive Drugs WorkHow Do Psychoactive Drugs Work

3 Basic Mechanisms3 Basic Mechanisms Selective Reuptake InhibitorsSelective Reuptake Inhibitors Receptor Agonists and AntagonistsReceptor Agonists and Antagonists Enzyme ModulatorsEnzyme Modulators

Selective Reuptake InhibitorsSelective Reuptake Inhibitors SSRI’s: Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa, Zoloft, PaxilSSRI’s: Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa, Zoloft, Paxil SNRI’s: Effexor, Cymbalta, PristiqSNRI’s: Effexor, Cymbalta, Pristiq DNRI: WellbutrinDNRI: Wellbutrin

Receptor Agonists & AntagonistsReceptor Agonists & Antagonists

AmphetaminesAmphetamines BenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepines Recreational DrugsRecreational Drugs Anti Psychotic DrugsAnti Psychotic Drugs

Enzyme ModulatorsEnzyme Modulators

MAO Inhibitors: Nardil, Marplan, ParnateMAO Inhibitors: Nardil, Marplan, Parnate

66thth Period PeriodHolistic TreatmentHolistic Treatment

Holistic Treatment of NT ImbalanceHolistic Treatment of NT Imbalance

Treat the Underlying CausesTreat the Underlying Causes Our Symptoms are Our TeachersOur Symptoms are Our Teachers We are More than Our BodyWe are More than Our Body

Treat the Underlying CausesTreat the Underlying Causes

Specialized Diagnostic TestsSpecialized Diagnostic Tests GeneticsGenetics ToxinsToxins Nutritional StatusNutritional Status Food AllergiesFood Allergies NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters

Treat the Underlying CausesTreat the Underlying Causes

DietDiet ExerciseExercise DetoxificationDetoxification Nutritional SupportNutritional Support Stress Reduction/MeditationStress Reduction/Meditation Energy Medicine TechniquesEnergy Medicine Techniques Targeted Amino Acid TherapyTargeted Amino Acid Therapy

Targeted Amino Acid TherapyTargeted Amino Acid Therapy A simple urinary test can assess all of your A simple urinary test can assess all of your

major NT’smajor NT’s Assess the balance between the excitatory Assess the balance between the excitatory

and inhibitory NT’sand inhibitory NT’s Use Targeted Amino Acid Therapy to give Use Targeted Amino Acid Therapy to give

your body the building blocks it needs to your body the building blocks it needs to make more NT’s and bring the nervous make more NT’s and bring the nervous system back in balance.system back in balance. Amino Acid PrecursorsAmino Acid Precursors VitaminsVitamins Co-FactorsCo-Factors

Our Symptoms are our TeachersOur Symptoms are our Teachers

Western MedicineWestern Medicine Symptoms are the enemy. Symptoms are the enemy. The doctor’s job is to destroy the enemyThe doctor’s job is to destroy the enemy

Holistic MedicineHolistic Medicine Our symptoms are our body’s way of Our symptoms are our body’s way of

communicating to us where things are out of communicating to us where things are out of balance in terms of mind, body, emotions, and balance in terms of mind, body, emotions, and spiritspirit

The doctor’s role is to collaborate with the patient The doctor’s role is to collaborate with the patient to identify and correct the imbalances that are to identify and correct the imbalances that are getting in the way of the body’s natural healing getting in the way of the body’s natural healing ability. ability.

We are More than Our Body!We are More than Our Body!

Western Medicine Western Medicine only addresses the only addresses the physical bodyphysical body

Virtually every Virtually every other Medical other Medical System recognizes System recognizes that we have both that we have both a physical body a physical body and an energetic and an energetic bodybody

E=MCE=MC22

Energy MedicineEnergy Medicine

Physical and emotional traumas create Physical and emotional traumas create blockages in the flow of Chiblockages in the flow of Chi

Blockages are experienced as anxiety or Blockages are experienced as anxiety or tension triggering the Fight or Flight Responsetension triggering the Fight or Flight Response

Cause physical and emotional disordersCause physical and emotional disorders

Energy MedicineEnergy Medicine

AcupunctureAcupuncture ReikiReiki Tai Chi Tai Chi Qi Gong Qi Gong Healing TouchHealing Touch EFT – Emotional EFT – Emotional

Freedom Freedom TechniqueTechnique

77thth Period PeriodPhilosophyPhilosophy

The Big QuestionsThe Big Questions

Who are we?Who are we? What brings us joy?What brings us joy? What is our passion?What is our passion? Are we listening to our inner voice?Are we listening to our inner voice? What is our Soul Purpose? What is our Soul Purpose?

How are we connected?How are we connected? With ourselves?With ourselves? With our loved ones?With our loved ones? With our community?With our community? With a higher power?With a higher power?

The Big QuestionsThe Big Questions

Is our mind the master or the Is our mind the master or the servant?servant? 60,000 thoughts per day60,000 thoughts per day Anticipating the future, perseverating Anticipating the future, perseverating

about the pastabout the past MeditationMeditation

The Power of NowThe Power of Now Observer SelfObserver Self

So the real question becomes…So the real question becomes…

Who is asking the Who is asking the Questions?Questions?