Neurotransmitters in the Brain and Their Influence
The neurotransmitters in the brain influence many aspects of daily life. Understanding how these neurotransmitters in the brain work unlocks answers to questions about many behavioral and mental health issues, from anxiety and bipolar disorders to chemical dependency of all kinds.
Internationally acclaimed Dr. Fred Von Stieff focuses on eight systems of neurotransmitters in the brain when treating his patients:
In his book, Brain In Balance, Dr. Von Stieff reveals how properly adjusting these neurotransmitters in the brain profoundly affects patients’ lives, freeing them from various ailments, such as alcoholism, prescription medication addictions, other drug addictions, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorders.
Reading Brain in Balance can be likened to taking a course about neurotransmitters in the brain, where one is taught both the fundamentals and useful applications. The following is a taste of what there is to learn:
Dopamine: A Neurotransmitter in the Brain Related to Depression
Alcohol’s effect on the dopamine system is one of the most addictive. Dopamine is closely tied to depression and is vital to chemical dependency treatment. Certain alcoholics specifically seek the feeling they get from the surge of dopamine that occurs once blood alcohol levels exceed a certain point. We call those alcoholics, “Blackout drinkers.”
“So there you have it – too much dopamine will cause one to hallucinate or become psychotic, but not enough can cause one to become depressed. There exists a fine balance between how much dopamine is necessary to feel good and how much will make a person delusional.”
– Chapter 3, Neurotransmitter Basics
GABA: Your Brain’s “Stop Sign”
GABA is the calming force within the brain. It constantly counteracts the more agitating neurotransmitters in the brain, namely glutamate. These neurotransmitter systems are actually all interconnected, reacting to one another on a daily basis.
“When GABA is activated, it’s as if one hundred million stop signs in the brain pop up. Some people inherit a lot of GABA and some do not. I personally did not get much GABA. I talk fast, move fast, and am currently writing this sentence at lightning speed. People that have general anxiety disorder (GAD) probably don’t have much GABA either….”
– Chapter 3, Neurotransmitter Basics
Opiate: An Extremely Powerful Neurotransmitter in the Brain
The opiate system is an extremely powerful neurotransmitter system. When opiate neurotransmitters in the brain are released in large quantities, it creates a euphoric sense of well-being that is highly addictive.
That’s why so many people get addicted to prescription medications such as: Morphine, Vicodin, OxyContin, Dilaudid, Demerol, Codeine, and more. After taking these medications over a long period of time, a paradoxical effect can occur, where the medications actually begin to cause pain instead of relieving the discomfort.
“I have made the statement hundreds of times, and I stand by it – ‘opiates can cause pain.’” – Chapter 11, Victims of the Opiate Craze