We all recognise words such as Serotonin and Dopamine, but what are they? What do they do?

At 5th Element Wellness, not only do we focus on gut health and particular training methods when coaching a client to results, we also factor in their neurotransmitter profile. This can be an extremely helpful tool, not only for the coach, but also the client. To understand the right way forward with someone, we need to ascertain their level of biochemical ability to take on the demands associated with lifestyle changes.

Each neurotransmitter can have a profound effect over our behaviour, manipulating things such as motivation, fatigue, strength capabilities and energy. When we are dominant or deficient in one or more, different approaches need to be taken. As the saying goes ‘It is not a one size fits all approach’.

Over the next four weeks, I’ll expand on each neurotransmitter in separate posts, however I wanted to introduce the four main ones we look at before a client embarks on their journey.

Dopamine:

  • Symptoms of poor dopamine production can consist of poor motivation, energy and drive
  • Our main reward neurotransmitter
  • Dopamine deficiency leads to non-compliance
  • Originally discovered in a bid to understand a depressive state, DDRI’s are now the most commonly used antidepressant in the world
  • Most common association is with Parkinson’s Disease, this can be seen years prior to diagnosis with simple shakiness of hands post training

Serotonin:

  • Serotonin is commonly associated with depression, as it allows us to feel joyful and happy
  • Low levels can lead to poor sleep patterns, as its role is to produce melatonin
  • Blood sugar imbalances can manipulate the production, and lead to deficiency
  • Reliant on the amino acid tryptophan, which is commonly found in animal proteins

GABA:

  • Our de-wiring neurotransmitter, GABA is the only inhibitor of the four, helping with sleep and staying calm
  • Most people present with moderate to severe deficiency, as Western life does not help assist GABA production
  • Found throughout every tissue in the body, where as the other three are isolated to the brain

Acetylcholine:

  • Responsible for short-term memory, to long-term memory conversion, thus having a huge role in the development of Alzheimer’s when deficient
  • Muscle contraction is also made responsible by acetylcholine, as those who are dominant tend to be clients that can consistently improve their strength capabilities
  • Nutritional compounds have the largest effect on it, and can be used easily in a client’s journey
  • Dependant on fat in the diet, hence the increasing deficiency among Australians

If any of these symptoms resonate with you, or describe your clients, stay tuned for my next four posts, which will detail each one separately.