Restoring Neurotransmitter Levels

[emineo]

Background:

SWIM recently talked with an individual who frequently made use of various substances to augment cognitive abilities and improve productivity.

Usage patterns are chronic consumption of (meth)amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabis, nicotine and opiates.

Of particular interest is the ingestion of (meth)amphetamines which was postulated to produce unwanted long term consequences. Most notably, loss of concentration, development of panic attacks and memory degredation.

A non-fasting 2nd morning urine neurotransmitter profile was completed with results as follows:

Current Neurotransmitter Levels:

epinephrine (low):

5 ug/gCr [8 - 12 ug/gCr]

norepinephrine (high):

125.6 ug/gCr [35 - 60 ug/gCr]

dopamine (high):

192.9 ug/gCr [110 - 175 ug/gCr]

serotonin(low):

111.8 ug/gCr [150 - 200 ug/gCr]

GABA(high):

6.5 umol/gCr [1.5 - 4.0 umol/gCr]

**Bracketed number is considered to be the optimal range.

Explanation:

These neurotransmitters can manifest many things: depression, sudden increases of comprehension, happiness, surges of energy, etc. They are involved in many, often not understood, biological feedback loops. They signal the body to do many things such as release glucose in energy stores, sleep, etc.

These are also the neurotransmitters that are acted upon by many drugs which result in the 'high'.

The profile mentioned above was done approx. 1 - 2 months after the discontinuation of (meth)amphetamine.

To properly explain the results, would require a minor treatise on neurotransmitters and their role in the body which I would encourage you to find through a google search.

However, a brief explanation of how these transmitters can affect each other in this case is:

Epinephrine (adrenaline) is low because of high rates of usage. The body is using too much adrenaline.

Norepinephrine (precursor to adrenaline), is high because the body's use of adrenaline is so frequent it is trying to create an excess of the precursor available when needed.

Serotonin is low because of the high levels of norepinephrine.

Dopamine is high because of the high rate of consumption of adrenaline.

High levels of norepinephrine in particular throws a wrench into many feedback mechanisms. It is a stress hormone. It is also believed that the current levels of the transmitters in the profile mentioned, is a result of chronic (meth)amphetamine use.

Repair:

Current treatment under study is the efficacy of down/up regulating the precursors of the neurotransmitters via amino acid therapy.

L-taurine, 5-HTP, L-theanine, L-methionine, L-histidine, and others are some that are in use.

Results

Sleep patterns were virtually restored to 'normal' in 3 to 5 days. Generalized anxiety was noticeably reduced in 5 to 7 days. Concentration slightly improved by day 7, but still remains the worst of all symptoms.

Results of this treatment will be posted as more information becomes available.

Reputation Comments on this post:

	very valuable post
	very interesting
	Great thread!