| HERBS :
Ephedra or Ma Huang :
A nervous
system stimulant that is considered a bronchial dilator and
decongestant. Has been used for depression and weight loss.
Ginkgo biloba :
Studied extensively
in Europe for its ability to increase oxygen and blood flow to
the brain. Has been linked to improvements in memory and
mental alertness.
Ginseng :
An adaptogen that aids the
body in dealing with stress, weakness and fatigue. Also
thought to improve memory, concentration and learning.
Goldenseal :
Known mainly for it's
antibiotic effects, Goldenseal is also a powerful body
cleanser.
Gotu Kola :
Rebuilds energy reserves
and increases mental and physical powers.
Guarana :
Unprocessed caffeine.
Hops :
Long known for its remarkable
sedating powers, hops has long been used by insomniacs and
those who suffer from anxiety.
Kava Kava :
Aids in relieving mental
and physical stress without affecting cognitive performance.
Passion Flower :
An herb with a
gentle sedative-like effect that has been used to treat
hyperactive children, insomniacs and people under stress.
Schizandra :
Helps to increase
energy and protects the body against stress.
Skullcap :
A gentle sedative which
helps promote restful sleep and alleviate anxiety.
Valerian Root :
Used by many for its
tranquilizing effects without any sluggish after-effects.
Valerian is found in many European over-the-counter sleep
aids.
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B VITAMINS
B Complex Vitamins:
The B vitamins
work together to do a great many things for the body,
including the maintenance of nerve cells. There have been
studies which show that Alzheimer's patients lack B-Complex
vitamins. It has also been shown that when taking specific B
Vitamins, one should also take a B-Complex Vitamin. Many
stress-complex vitamins contain a combination of B-complex and
vitamin C
B1 ( Thiamin ) :
Known for its
effects on mental attitude and the nervous system. Studies
have shown that this water soluble B Vitamin helped increase
the learning capacity of children, as well as lessen the
severity of certain symptoms in psychiatric patients,
including manic depression.
Niacin ( B3 ) :
Has been shown in
tests to improve memory.
Pantothenic Acid ( B5 ) :
Important
for the conversion of choline
into acetylcholine.
Helpful in improving the body's ability to deal with stress.
B6 ( Pyridoxine ) :
Promotes mental
capabilities by assisting in the transport of amino acids to
the brain, where they are used to manufacture neurotransmitters.
B12 ( Cobalimin ) :
Necessary for
normal metabolism of nerve tissue. Helps with energy and
memory.
Choline :
A building-block of acetylcholine,
Choline plays a part in the transmission of nerve impulses.
Without choline, brain and nerve function are impaired.
Choline is able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, which
ordinarily protects the brain against variations in the daily
diet.
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HORMONES
Melatonin :
A hormone secreted by
the pineal gland. People who take melatonin claim it is an aid
for falling asleep and also for avoiding jet lag.
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) :
is
a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which the body
converts it into testosterone or estrogen. As an individual
grows older he/she produces less---shown promise in the area
of memory enhancement.
Pregnenolone :
Pregnenolone is a
hormone produced in our bodies from cholesterol. It is a
precursor to DHEA and progesterone. Pregnenolone has been
linked to stress and fatigue reduction. It has also been found
to inhibit GABA receptors, thus increasing mental alertness.
Pregnenolone is also thought to stimulate NMDA
(N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors which play a part in memory
and learning by regulating synapses.
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NEUROTRANSMITTERS and AMINO ACIDS
5-hydroxy L-tryptophan :
5-hydroxy
L-tryptophan (5-HTP), is normally converted in the body from
Tryptophan (found in food, like turkey). 5-HTP is converted to
serotonin, which is then converted into melatonin.
Historically Tryptophan itself was taken as a sleeping aid and
immune system booster, however since it is no longer
available, people now use 5-HTP.
Please note: those
on Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (i.e.
Prozac and other drugs) should not take 5-HTP.
Pyroglutamate Acid :
An amino acid
shown to improve learning.
GABA :
An amino acid that acts as
an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Helps promote sleep and
alleviate anxiety.
Glutamine :
Glutamine passes easily
from the bloodstream into the brain, where it is then
converted to Glutamic Acid. This conversion rids the brain of
ammonia, an inhibitor of higher brain functions.
Glutamic Acid :
A neurotransmitter
that is used by the brain as fuel. Glutamic Acid increases the
firing of neurons and is a pre-cursor of GABA.
Tyrosine :
Tyrosine is a precursor
of norepinephrine
and dopamine,
two neurotransmitters
responsible for regulating depression and mood levels.
Acetylcarnitine :
Acetyl L
Carnitine transports fats to the body's cell's mitochondria,
where they are converted to energy. In this way it helps to
reduce unnecessary fat deposits in the brain's nerve cells,
thus increasing mental capabilities.
Phosphatidylserine :
A phospholipid
found in membranes of brain cells. Thought to increase neurotransmitter
activities, dopamine
release and acetylcholine
release.
Phenylalanine :
An amino acid shown
to elevate mood, and which also aids in learning and memory.
In the body it may be converted into Tyrosine.
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NEUROTRANSMITTERS:
Norepinephrine :
Norepinephrine is
a neurotransmitter
synthesized by the amino acids L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine,
along with vitamins B6,
C, niacin
and others. It controls the release of endocrine hormones
which regulate sex and metabolism. Norepinephrine is also
involved in sleep patterns, learning and memory.
Dopamine :
Like norepinephrine,
dopamine is a neurotransmitter
synthesized from the amino acids L-phenylalanine and
L-tyrosine. It stimulates the pituitary gland to produce a
hormone which burns fat and builds muscle. Depression has been
linked to low levels of dopamine while schizophrenia has been
linked to excess levels.
Serotonin :
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter
synthesized from L-tryptophan, and is a pre-cursor to the
hormone melatonin.
Serotonin plays a major role in regulating sleep, blood
clotting, and alleviating depression. Many anti-depressant
medications, such as Prozac, Paxil and Effexor, affect
serotonin levels.
Acetylcholine :
A neurotransmitter
synthesized in the body by choline,
lecithin,
DMAE
and vitamin co-factors such as C and B6.
It is important in the role of behavior and memory; low levels
of acetylcholine may result in forgetfulness. It is the most
abundant neurotransmitter in the body and controls the release
of the hormone vasopressin.
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CO-ENZYMES :
CoEnzyme Q10 :
Aids the brain in
producing ATP, which is the body's molecule for the storage
and release of energy.
NADH :
A derivative of the B
vitamin niacin,
NADH is coenzyme that plays a major part in energy production
in cells. It is a reduced form of NAD (nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide) containing high energy hydrogen. NADH stimulates
the production of such neurotransmitters
as L-dopa, dopamine,
serotonin
and norepinephrine.
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OTHER STUFF:
DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) :
Occurring naturally in fish, DMAE is often given
credit for having a mild stimulant effect without the quick up
and down which comes from caffeine and other stimulants. It is
also able to elevate mood and improve memory and learning.
People who have taken DMAE for a period of a few weeks often
report an increase in physical energy and less of a need for
sleep. DMAE also increases the brain's production of acetylcholine.
Lecithin :
A type of lipid,
Lecithin is a natural component of the sheath that protects
the brain.
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TERMINOLOGY :
Free Radicals :
A free radical is a
compound or molecule fragment that has one or more unpaired
electrons in its makeup. Unpaired electrons cause these
fragments to be very reactive, as their natural state is to
have an even number of electrons. The free radical can cause a
reaction in which it strips another compound of one of its
electrons; then that other compound can become a free radical
and perpetuate the process. One free radical can damage a
million or more molecules in this self-perpetuating process.
Neurotransmitter :
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that
nerve cells use to communicate with each other across the tiny
gaps between nerve cells (called synapses).
Synapse :
A synapse is the tiny gap
between two connecting nerve cells. Neurotransmitters are
chemicals that can travel across these gaps. |
