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Quotes about Brain Chemicals from the world's top natural health / natural living authors

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"In 2005, for example, Johnson & Johnson discussed brain chemicals on a website promoting its drug Con-certa. Under the heading "Science Made Simple," the company claimed its drug worked this way: "The Cerebellum, Basal Ganglia, and the Prefrontal Cortex are rich in brain chemicals (norepinephrine and dopamine) that impact emotion, behavior, thinking, and attention skills, which are related to ADHD. Medications like Concerta help restore brain chemical communications to more normal levels." - Melody Petersen, Our Daily Meds: How the Pharmaceutical Companies Transformed Themselves into Slick Marketing Machines and Hooked the Nation on Prescription Drugs (Get the book.)

"During REM sleep you dream, and what is more important, you replenish the brain chemicals that control mood and create memories from the day's events. Without enough DHEA, your sleep will feel too light and you will not have many dreams. You may wake up feeling irritable. In addition to deepening sleep, DHEA boosts memory, mood, sex drive, and immune function, which are known to suffer from poor sleep. Melatonin is our major sleep hormone but it is also important for our long-term health." - Phuli Cohan, The Natural Hormone Makeover: 10 Steps to Rejuvenate Your Health and Rediscover Your Inner Glow (Get the book.)

"Valenstein, "Why do all the drugs all deal with the same brain chemicals? Is it because those four neurotransmitters are the ones understood to be most implicated with mood and thought regulation—i.e., the stuff of psychiatric disorders?" "It's entirely a historical accident," he said. "The first psychiatric drugs were stumbled upon in the dark, completely serendipitously. No one, least of all the people who discovered them, had any idea how they worked. It was only later that the science caught up and provided evidence that those drugs influence those particular neurotransmitters." - Charles Barber, Comfortably Numb: How Psychiatry Is Medicating a Nation (Get the book.)

"Regardless of its effect on other brain chemicals, supplemental 5-HTP surely increases serotonin, and because of that, has a calming, relaxing effect on brain chemistry. It's used for mild and moderate depression and it also may help you sleep better. Why? Because at night, serotonin converts into melatonin (see page 63), which is important for a great night's sleep. For some people, 5-HTP may perform equally to or better than standard antidepressant drugs and in most cases, without side effects. One study compared 5-HTP to fluvoxamine, an SSRI like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft." - Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S., The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about What Treatments Work and Why (Get the book.) "Amino acids are converted into brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that control mood. "Alcoholics and drug addicts are often so depleted of amino acids that they can't create these neurotransmitters, leading to depression, hostile and aggressive behavior, confusion, anxiety, and paranoia," says Mathews-Larson." - Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S., The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about What Treatments Work and Why (Get the book.)

"Some scientists believe that yawning helps us become more alert by taking in oxygen; others say it's due to changes in emotion-related brain chemicals; still others think it helps regulate body temperature. They all tend to agree, however, that yawning does boost blood pressure and heart rate. According to anecdotal evidence, some athletes have been known to habitually yawn before a competition and paratroopers to do so before a jump. Most of the time, yawning is a benign, if rather boring, activity." - Joan Liebmann-Smith, Ph. D., and Jacqueline Nardi Egan, Body Signs: From Warning Signs to False Alarms...How to Be Your Own Diagnostic Detective (Get the book.)

"Under the heading "Science Made Simple," the company claimed its drug worked this way: "The Cerebellum, Basal Ganglia, and the Prefrontal Cortex are rich in brain chemicals (norepinephrine and dopamine) that impact emotion, behavior, thinking, and attention skills, which are related to ADHD. Medications like Concerta help restore brain chemical communications to more normal levels." - Melody Petersen, Our Daily Meds: How the Pharmaceutical Companies Transformed Themselves into Slick Marketing Machines and Hooked the Nation on Prescription Drugs (Get the book.) "Scientists have also failed to tie attention deficit disorders in children to an imbalance of brain chemicals. At a 1998 meeting organized by the federal government, a group of top scientists in the field concluded that there were "no data to indicate that ADHD is due to a brain malfunction." Similarly, Dr. William B. Carey, professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania, wrote in 2002, "The assumption that the ADHD symptoms arise from cerebral malfunction has not been supported even after extensive investigations." Grandma was the first to notice." - Melody Petersen, Our Daily Meds: How the Pharmaceutical Companies Transformed Themselves into Slick Marketing Machines and Hooked the Nation on Prescription Drugs (Get the book.)

"They can accumulate inside the brain tissue and eventually disrupt normal brain function, most notably causing damage to the cells, disrupting normal brain chemicals and neurotransmitters, and damaging the myelin sheaths protecting the nerves in the brain. This in turn can cause such disease processes and conditions as depression, anxiety, learning disorders, autism, ADHD, multiple sclerosis, and brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Poor memory, "brain fog," and unexplained numbness can also be the results of toxins impinging on an otherwise healthy nervous system." - Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith, The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps (Get the book.)

"It's a precursor to the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which is one of the brain chemicals that helps us feel good." Dr." - Gary Null and Amy McDonald, The Food-Mood Connection: Nutrition-based and Environmental Approaches to Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing (Get the book.)

"This stimulates the release of adrenaline, serotonin, and other important brain chemicals. Exercise also promotes the growth of neurons, or new brain cells, in the cerebellum and elsewhere. A brain that is constantly producing neurons is a brain that is operating at its peak and is much more resistant to negative chemical changes that adversely affect mood and prompt the difficult parts of ADD-type behavior." - Jay Gordon, The ADD and ADHD Cure: The Natural Way to Treat Hyperactivity and Refocus Your Child (Get the book.) "We've all heard that exercise releases endorphins into our bloodstream and that these brain chemicals make us feel good. Endorphins act as natural antidepressants and antianxiety agents. A family-wide exercise program is often necessary because children trying to recover from ADD/ADHD are often still feeling the sting from being shunned by their classmates or former teammates." - Jay Gordon, The ADD and ADHD Cure: The Natural Way to Treat Hyperactivity and Refocus Your Child (Get the book.)

"One of these brain chemicals, serotonin, was becoming better known to the public, thanks to the advent of Prozac, the new antidepressant that boosts serotonin levels and brings feelings of optimism, creativity and peace of mind. To my astonishment, the other brain chemical I was learning about, beta-endorphin, was as critical to emotional well-being as serotonin but was not being discussed outside scientific circles." - Kathleen DesMaisons, Potatoes Not Prozac: Solutions for Sugar Sensitivity (Get the book.)

"But the real question that manipulating brain chemicals with drugs begs is never asked . . . Why are those chemicals out of balance in the first place and how do we get them back to their natural state of balance? These drugs don't cure the problem. They cover over the symptoms. To cure the epidemic of broken brains we have to ask a new set of questions: v How do we find the cause of this epidemic? • !?Are we defectively designed, or is it our toxic environment, our nutrient-depleted diet, and our unremitting stress affecting our sensitive brains?" - Mark Hyman MD, The UltraMind Solution: Fix Your Broken Brain by Healing Your Body First (Get the book.) "He also had trouble with methylation, which is required to make normal neurotransmitters and brain chemicals and critical for helping the body get rid of toxins. This showed up as low levels of homocysteine (a sign of problems with folate metabolism) and high methylmalonic acid (a sign of problems with B12 metabolism). He also had two genes that set him up for more problems with his systsm (COMTand MTHFR, which both control this process of methylation)." - Mark Hyman MD, The UltraMind Solution: Fix Your Broken Brain by Healing Your Body First (Get the book.)

"She was caught in a vicious cycle of highs and lows controlled by her blood sugar levels and her brain chemicals. Emily responded to sugar as if it were a drug. Sugar Sensitivity Sugar sensitivity turns a person into Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It's like having two different people live in your body. From one moment to the next your fine sensitivity and openness turn into moodiness and irritability. Your confidence and creativity dry up, only to be replaced by low self-esteem and hopelessness. Your visions for the future dissipate into the frustration born of not following through." - Kathleen DesMaisons, Potatoes Not Prozac: Solutions for Sugar Sensitivity (Get the book.) "It is a theory—a working hypothesis—based on my own observation of how my addicted and/or compulsive clients respond to sugars and on my in-depth investigation of the solid scientific research that has been done on carbohydrate sensitivity, and the role of brain chemicals in alcoholism, addiction and nutrition. Five years from now your sugar sensitivity will have a scientific authority and a blood test. In the meantime, let's work with my hypothesis. The stories I have heard from my clients are too familiar and too consistent to be ignored any longer." - Kathleen DesMaisons, Potatoes Not Prozac: Solutions for Sugar Sensitivity (Get the book.) "In the next chapter we'll look at the two other key players in defeating your body's sugar sensitivity, the brain chemicals serotonin and beta-endorphin. Then you'll start putting into action a food plan that can give you the emotional stability and high self-esteem you've wanted—and deserved—for so long. Chapter 5 Brain Chemistry 101 While extreme highs and lows in your blood sugar level can have a devastating effect on how you feel, getting your blood sugar stable will not solve all the problems of the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde syndrome. If it could, you would not need to read this book." - Kathleen DesMaisons, Potatoes Not Prozac: Solutions for Sugar Sensitivity (Get the book.)

"Theanine also triggers the release of dopamine, one of the main brain chemicals associated with well-being. Dopamine is the brain's master regulator of reward and pleasure, and the release of dopamine probably contributes to the sense of well-being associated with tea drinking. The calming effect of theanine may be the reason that drinking green tea—even with caffeine—doesn't tend to produce nearly as "jittery" an experience as drinking coffee. Finally, numerous studies have cited the connection between inflammation, oxidation, and Alzheimer's disease." - Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S., The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why (Get the book.)

"Anything more specific, regardless of the number of years science has been conducting research on brain chemicals, is pure speculation. Generally, the mainstream media, whether deliberately or through ignorance, has missed the importance of covering the facts ,of the psycho-pharma debate. Repeatedly, alleged mental illnesses are inaccurately referred to as disease, and the debate surrounding the legitimacy of psychiatric diagnosing is not so much as even mentioned." - Kelly Patricia O'Meara, Psyched Out: How Psychiatry Sells Mental Illness and Pushes Pills That Kill (Get the book.)

"One study links REM-induced blood flow through a part of the brain called the amygdaloid complexes to the processing of some types of memory.21 brain chemicals such as dopamine and epinephrine—which may be diminished by sleep deprivation—help transfer new information from the intermediate-term, high-capacity buffer in the hippocampus (a part of the brain) into long-term memory storage in the neocortex.22 Regardless of the mechanism, several studies confirm the correlation between REM sleep and long-term retention of learning." - Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac., Alternative Medicine Magazine's Definitive Guide to Sleep Disorders: 7 Smart Ways to Help You Get a Good Night's Rest (Get the book.)

"Lilly is just as clueless about the specific mechanism of its new ADHD drug explaining (in part) "It is not known precisely how Strattera reduces ADHD symptoms, but scientists believe it works by blocking or slowing reabsorption of norepinephrine.." brain chemicals blah, blah, blah.18 (italics mine) Okay, time for a recap." - Kelly Patricia O'Meara, Psyched Out: How Psychiatry Sells Mental Illness and Pushes Pills That Kill (Get the book.)

"This appears to be related to abnormally high levels of blood sugar, which suppress orexins, a group of brain chemicals that keeps our minds sharp and alert. Mood swings. Moods often follow blood-sugar levels. Most people feel contented after eating. When they get hungry, however, they can become grumpy, impatient, irritable, angry, mean, and aggressive. People with these changeable moods are often described as mercurial or Jekyll-and-Hyde types. (For more information, see lack's earlier book The Food-Mood Solution.) Kidney failure." - Jack Challem, Stop Prediabetes Now: The Ultimate Plan to Lose Weight and Prevent Diabetes (Get the book.)

"Benzodiazepines slow brain waves; antidepressants manipulate levels of brain chemicals; and over-the-counter drugs block histamine and other stimulating chemical reactions in the brain and body. These processes temporarily alleviate insomnia and other sleep disorders. However, most sleeping pills have a deleterious effect on the sleep cycle, increasing the time spent in light, stage 2 sleep and diminishing the time spent in deep sleep and REM sleep. As discussed in chapter 1, deep and REM sleep are required for optimal cerebral, immune, cardiovascular, and mental health." - Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac., Alternative Medicine Magazine's Definitive Guide to Sleep Disorders: 7 Smart Ways to Help You Get a Good Night's Rest (Get the book.)

"Your body naturally makes this compound and uses it to build serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, brain chemicals that help control your mood. Severely depressed people are often low in SAM-e, and some experts believe supplements could give your body the boost it needs to lift you out of depression. The federal government's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recently looked at 28 studies on SAM-e and depression. By and large, they discovered that the supplements worked better than placebo - or fake pills - and about as well as prescription drugs in treating depression." - The Editors of FC&A, Unleash the Inner Healing Power of Foods (Get the book.) "Vitamin B6 also helps balance certain brain chemicals, keeping your emotions on an even keel. Not getting enough of this nutrient could cause or worsen depression. Seek out foods like liver, seafood, legumes, whole grains, and fortified cereals. Folate seems to fight that low feeling, too, perhaps by affecting how your brain uses dopamine and serotonin, two natural chemicals that influence mood. Folate is easy to find in fortified breads and cereals, legumes, seeds, and dark green leafy vegetables. Depression may also be a sign of a thiamin shortage." - The Editors of FC&A, Unleash the Inner Healing Power of Foods (Get the book.)

"Stress and Psychological Factors Stress and pent-up emotional issues can wreak havoc on the brain, deregulating brain chemicals and also affecting organs that are instrumental in procuring a good night's rest. Unmanaged daily stress can upset your hormonal balance, deplete nutrient reserves, and create a vicious cycle of less sleep and more stress. Additionally, unresolved psychological issues, such as deep-seated internal fears or relationship conflicts, can disturb brain chemistry and hinder deep sleep." - Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac., Alternative Medicine Magazine's Definitive Guide to Sleep Disorders: 7 Smart Ways to Help You Get a Good Night's Rest (Get the book.)

"These vital brain chemicals remained low while the animals were young, and later began to return to normal. If MSG produces the same neurochemical changes in humans, the implication of this experiment is that children are being denied the tools (essential neurotransmitters) necessary to learn during the most critical time of life. Most children today start life gorging on junk foods filled with excitotoxins. Unfortunately, many of their mothers also ate badly during pregnancy." - Russell L. Blaylock, M.D., Health and Nutrition Secrets (Get the book.)

"It's due to depletion of vitamins such as vitamins C and B6, needed to make the feel-good brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. (For more information on these neurotransmitters, see page 114.) Healthier ways to prevent pregnancy: the intrauterine device (IUD), condoms, and the rhythm method—which, if you get instruction from a knowledgeable medical practitioner and follow it to the letter, works almost as well as condoms and pills. Standard Premarin'progestin hormone therapy is linked with increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, and heart attack." - Hyla Cass, M.D., Supplement Your Prescription: What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Nutrition (Get the book.)

"Physical activity increases the production of endorphins, brain chemicals that enhance mood. • Physical activity improves how your body uses insulin and glucose, which lessens mood swings. • Physical activity increases muscle, which is the best type of tissue for burning glucose and fat. • Physical activity speeds up the metabolic rate—that is, the speed of biochemical reactions in cells. These reactions stimulate the production of necessary chemicals throughout the body and the removal of waste products from cells." - Jack Challem, The Food-Mood Solution: All-Natural Ways to Banish Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Stress, Overeating, and Alcohol and Drug Problems--and Feel Good Again (Get the book.)

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