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When we think about stress, we often think about cortisol. When we think about sleep, we often think about melatonin. When we think about mood, focus, motivation or calm, let's begin to think about neurotransmitters.
Hormones, sleep-wake rhythms and neurotransmitter-related pathways interact within a much larger biochemical network inside the body.
In today's fast-paced world, it's no secret that many of us lead lives filled with constant challenges and stressors, from demanding careers to personal responsibilities that seem never-ending.
Yet, what often goes unnoticed is the remarkable internal mechanism that helps us cope with the pressures of our daily existence.
Neurotransmitters play a vital role in our lives. Our brains use neurotransmitters to tell our hearts to beat, our lungs to breathe, and our stomachs to digest our food.
Neurotransmitters are significant influencers in our moods, the quality of our sleep, and our ability to focus. If our neurotransmitters become unbalanced, a variety of different symptoms can develop that lead to adverse effects on our emotions over time.
Sarah is an active, energetic, and basically healthy 85-year-old woman.
Many years ago, her physician prescribed meds to her based on the "one-size-fits-all" practice common in that era. Back then, the medical community knew little about the impact neurotransmitters had on the overall mental wellness of an individual.
In November 2020, after having spent more than a year trying to feel better about himself, 24-year-old "Alex" was ready to toss in the towel.
"Nothing I do has helped. So what's the point?" he asked.
Alex had been struggling with severe symptoms of apathy, daytime fatigue, anxiety, depression, addictive behaviors, and sleep disruption.
Being under the supervision of a psychiatrist for over a year helped Alex to stabilize his life. The visits empowered him to continue to seek out solutions.
But, overall, his sense of well-being hadn't improved.
After being referred to Canary Club, Alex took the ZRT NeuroTransmitterProfile where he discovered he had 23 key levels out of the normal range.
Part 1: We cover Alex's journey to his decision to take at-home diagnostic testing to help give answers.
Part 2: Next month we will review Alex's progress as he works with a health coach to help bring his levels into balance.
We introduced you to 24-year-old "Alex" in our Part 1 Story in Jan 2021.
Alex had been struggling with severe symptoms of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and sleep restlessness. These symptoms contributed to Alex losing two well-paying jobs that he loved in less than a year.
Motivated by his persistent symptoms, Alex completed the ZRT NeuroTransmitter Profile (with add-ons) in Nov 2020.
His lab reports showed he had 23 out-of-range levels that were directly linked to the serious symptoms he had been feeling for an extended number of years.
In this article, we review Alex's progress as he works with a health coach to help bring his levels into balance.
Neurotransmitters are the brain's chemical messengers. They help the brain function correctly, which then allows it to control the many different functions of the body—tissues, glands, organs, and muscles are all affected by neurotransmitters.
Depression is the third most reported chronic health condition in the U.S.
By Dr. Lani Simpson
Do you wish you could get more done or be happier and more at ease? Do you want to feel less lethargic, depressed, stressed, or anxious?
