Today I stopped by the Alive health food store to purchase their 5-htp (5-hydroxytryptophan). After ingesting 200 mg I felt the anxiety that stress induces in me to dissipate.
Even though that could be the strong placebo effect that happens when I am bathed in the glow of healthy living after visiting Alive, it's been said by researchers that 5-HTP is useful in maintenance of mood balance, sedation that promotes sleep, reduces pain and relieves migraines.
Yet serotonin is also associated with anxiety, nausea and vomiting, which are side effects of the antidepressant SSRI drugs.
For it is actually dopamine, associated with the reward system that actually result in relaxation, contrary to the assumption that dopamine is only associated with mania and pyschosis.
The truth is, dopamine and serotonin receptors are associated with those physiological effect and is the rise and fall of neurotransmitter levels that lead to the symptoms.
As I mentioned early, serotonin promotes sedation but also the anxiety-nausea-vomiting triad when stress oppresses us.
Mania and psychosis are only evidence that the dopamine receptors are involved in their etiology. When we treat these effects as evidence of the neurotransmitters, we are under the misconception that only one neurotransmitter is involved, which leads to misconceptions about them.
It is actually the sum total of stress and its effect on the brain, especially in morphing harmless schizotypies in their various manifestations (schizo-affective, the myriad schizophrenias, and even bipolar disorders type I and II).
Since 5-HTP sedates me, it could a cascade effect beginning with serotonin receptors, which in turn affect histamine receptors and the mast cells that are associated with histamine. Hence the sedation.
All in al, I still feel this is a placebo effect. Meditation helps me to remain sensitive to my environment, both mental and physical. Since I believe in what it is used on to treat (migraines, pain, and mood balance), that affects its result, sedation.
Inspired by the Journey to the West, Gandhara is devoted to both Western and Eastern Truth.
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ - Hail the Lord whose name eliminates spiritual darkness.
Om Ganeshaya Namaha (ॐ गणेशाय नमः) - Homage to Ganesha.
Unconditional love tranquilizes the mind, and thus conquers all.
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Showing posts with label serotonin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label serotonin. Show all posts
20130413
Understanding 5HTP
Labels:
5HTP,
dopamine,
neurotransmitter,
placebo effect,
serotonin
20100603
Flaxseed: Lignans and Protein Reason for Health Benefits?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignan
http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/lignan.php
Lignans are phytoestrogens with a phenol group as organic radical. By adding an amine to a lignan, a neurotransmitter may be formed. Though cell metabolism would prefer phenylalanine or even better tyrosine as precursor to dopamine. Meats are a good source of phenylalanine and tyrosine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine is found in plant and animal protein.
Additionally, dopamine has in addition to its role as neurotranmitter in neurons, a neurohormone effect in the hypothalamus, which controls mood, behavior and appetite.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine
In contrast, acetylcholine has an amine added to the acetyl group. Its role is neuromodulation i.e. moderates the dopamine and serotonin levels due to its slow breakdown. Usually acetylcholine accumulates in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcholine
Choline is found in lecithin which is found in most animal meats and plants. Good food sources of choline include eggs, beef, chicken and turkey. Although animal proteins are the highest dietary sources of choline, vegetarians and vegans can obtain adequate choline through wheat germ, beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, collards, cauliflower and soy milk.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/90459-choline-content-foods/#ixzz0pnK7XVJF
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choline
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lecithin
As for tryptophan, it consists of an indole radical, propanoic acid and an amine. The body metabolizes it into serotonin in the gut.
It is found in protein from both animal and plant sources. Fish contains the most healthiest source of tryptophan, along with beans, nuts and seeds, and milk products.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tryptophan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin
http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/lignan.php
Lignans are phytoestrogens with a phenol group as organic radical. By adding an amine to a lignan, a neurotransmitter may be formed. Though cell metabolism would prefer phenylalanine or even better tyrosine as precursor to dopamine. Meats are a good source of phenylalanine and tyrosine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine is found in plant and animal protein.
Additionally, dopamine has in addition to its role as neurotranmitter in neurons, a neurohormone effect in the hypothalamus, which controls mood, behavior and appetite.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine
In contrast, acetylcholine has an amine added to the acetyl group. Its role is neuromodulation i.e. moderates the dopamine and serotonin levels due to its slow breakdown. Usually acetylcholine accumulates in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcholine
Choline is found in lecithin which is found in most animal meats and plants. Good food sources of choline include eggs, beef, chicken and turkey. Although animal proteins are the highest dietary sources of choline, vegetarians and vegans can obtain adequate choline through wheat germ, beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, collards, cauliflower and soy milk.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/90459-choline-content-foods/#ixzz0pnK7XVJF
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choline
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lecithin
As for tryptophan, it consists of an indole radical, propanoic acid and an amine. The body metabolizes it into serotonin in the gut.
It is found in protein from both animal and plant sources. Fish contains the most healthiest source of tryptophan, along with beans, nuts and seeds, and milk products.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tryptophan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin
Labels:
acetylcholine,
dopamine,
lignan,
neurohormone,
neurotransmitter,
phenylalanine,
serotonin,
tyrosine
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