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| Depression part 2 by Ross bishop After several years of struggling with clients to find the right drugs and dosages and deal with the side effects of antidepressants, I began a search for alternatives. |
| Heal your Heart - Love your Body - Live your Joy! Simply Stunning! A beautiful and profound experience 3 guided meditations on one CD. Access higher wisdom, intuition and insights. Change habits, release fears and activate healing energies. Buy Now Full description. Read what others say Sound samples and instant downloads |
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| Heal your Heart, Love your Body and Claim your Joy! Reinventing Myself by Sonya Green is now available in paperback. Click the book cover to find out more. |
| EBook also available. Instant download for only $8 |
If you feel this website has inspired you or resonated with you or if you found yourself thinking about
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someone who would benefit from visiting these pages - Trust Your Intuition and send them the link.
If you would like to copy an article to your site or blog, you are welcome to do so, but must note copyright
Sonya Green and refer to www.reinventingmyself.com
If you would like to support this site you might consider emailing in suggestions or comments, a small
donation, purchasing a product or visiting the links to our sponsors.
Each nerve cell has specific receptor sites that will accept only a particular
neurotransmitter. When a neurotransmitter is received at a receptor site,
information is passed, whether it's a feeling of well-being (serotonin or
norepinephrine, for example), euphoria (opiates), pain (acetaldehydes such
as the chemical from alcohol that creates a hangover), excitement
(epinephrine, also known as adrenaline), or other chemical information.
Once a message has been passed over the synaptic gap, the
neurotransmitter and its by-products are then removed by a group of
enzymes. Monoamine oxidase is one of these enzymes. Think of these
enzymes as brain and nerve cell clean-up crews.
Since depression is associated with reduced levels of neurotransmitters, it
would seem logical to address the problem by simply boosting
neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Unfortunately, this is not such a simple
thing to do. The brain is separated from the rest of the body by a protective
membrane called the ãblood-brain barrier.ä The barrier allows small
ãbuilding blockä molecules like amino acids to pass, but obstructs larger,
more complex molecules.
The brain synthesizes the more complex chemicals that it needs from the
component parts that come through the barrier. For example, the body
produces large amounts of the neurotransmitter serotonin, but serotonin
cannot get through the blood-brain barrier. Only its precursor, the amino
acid Tryptophan, will pass. Once the Tryptophan reaches the brain, it is then
converted into serotonin. Some people have more "permeable" blood-brain
barriers than others, making them more susceptible to food related mood
changes (amino acids come from food, primarily from proteins).
Since the blood brain barrier prohibits simply introducing brain chemicals
into the body, neurochemists have had to find other, more creative, ways to
influence brain chemistry. One solution has been to slow down the bodyâs
reabsorption process, leaving more neurotransmitters in the system. The
drugs that do this are known as anti-depressants. The most well-known of
these is Prozac. Prozac is one of a family of what are called selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Prozac doesn't create serotonin, it
slows down its reabsorption, inhibiting the bodyâs natural clean-up process.
Today we have a new family of antidepressants called serotonin and
noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which block reabsorption and
also affect the balance between these two key monoamines. In contrast,
many of the older antidepressants (SSRIs) work just as well as the newer
drugs and are cheaper, but pose significantly greater risks. Some of the
older drugs can have disastrous effects for example, if taken in combination
with certain common foods. On the other hand, SSRIs are also safer when
taken in overdose, which is important when treating depression since suicide
is always a lurking concern.
In an interesting twist, and I think highlighting how little we understand about
the process, studies have confirmed that serotonin neurotransmitter levels in
humans can be linked to both inward and outward directed violence. One
study consisted of three groups of men: men convicted of homicide, men
who attempted suicide, and healthy males. The lowest levels of serotonin
were found in both those who had either killed someone else or attempted
suicide themselves, a seeming contradiction. Another study of
"self-mutilators" found that not only did these people have lower serotonin
levels, they also had more severe character pathology and had a greater
lifetime of aggression, as well as being more antisocial, with greater
impulsivity, chronic anger and anxiety. We have I think, a long way to go in
understanding what is happening in depression.
Antidepressants are the nuclear weapons of pharmacology in the war on
depression. They are very powerful drugs with powerful side effects. It's like
trying to crack a walnut with a sledgehammer. You must do it very carefully
for risk of damaging the nut along with the shell. Neuron receptor sites exist
throughout the body, and when you take antidepressants you impact the
entire body system, not just the brain. People can experience a host of
serious side effects like serious weight gain, urinary retention, sleep
disturbance, blurred vision, constipation, nausea, sexual dysfunction and as I
mentioned, one of the most disturbing side affects of all, suicide. Some
antidepressants can also create significant withdrawal issues, so even when
you quit, you must be monitored carefully.
You may have read recently about the high incidence of teen suicide and
SSRIs. After a good deal of political wrangling, the FDA, a long-standing
ally of the pharmaceutical industry, is finally making drug makers put strong
warnings on pill packaging against giving young people antidepressants.
The really unfortunate thing about antidepressants is that in addition to the
risks they pose, antidepressants have a very high failure rate. They simply do
not work in 30-40% of the cases. The high failure rate adds fuel to the
argument that we are not addressing the cause of depression but simply its
effects. Since antidepressants must be used and prescribed so carefully, I
hate to see clients use them. Fortunately there is a good alternative with few
side effects that is readily available, and as I said, I will address that in Part
II.
We have been talking primarily about neurotransmitters, but the balance
between essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, also plays an
important role in depression. A lack of essential omega-3 fatty acids (found
in cold-water fish such as tuna and salmon) and/or an excess of omega-6
saturated fats (found in certain vegetable oils, such as corn and soybean oils)
and animal fatty acids, leads to the formation of cell membranes that are
much less fluid than normal. This is especially important in the brain because
it affects the function of serotonin and dopamine, leading to serious impacts
on behavior, mood and mental function.
A study in London demonstrated that giving schizophrenic patients omega-3
fatty acids corrected membrane abnormalities and had a powerful impact on
patients mental states. The balance between the two omegas is important,
and the typical American diet is disproportionately high in omega-6s,
primarily from processed foods. Regularly eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty
acids and reducing the saturated fat (meat) and hydrogenated oil content in
our diets is a wise precaution.
Another cause for depression in a far smaller number of cases, is a genetic
inability to manufacture enough prostaglandin, an important brain chemical
that is derived from essential fatty acids. The problem is the result of a
genetic deficiency. Alcohol stimulates the temporary production of
prostaglandin and lifts the depression, which is why some researchers
believe that there is a strong genetic component to some types of alcoholism.
So, if your ancestry is more than one-quarter Celtic, Irish, Scandinavian,
Native American, Welsh, or Scottish and you have a family history of
alcoholism, depression, suicide, schizophrenia, or other mental illness, you
are at an elevated level of risk for prostaglandin deficiency. Fortunately, a
substance called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA--not to be confused with
linoleic acid--LA) is easily converted to prostaglandin, and there have been
remarkable recoveries from this form of depression within several weeks of
treatment. Look for a dietary supplement called Efamol, which is usually
made from evening primrose oil and vitamin E (and sometimes omega-3 and
6).
The last condition I will discuss is one that I would not have recognized if I
had not diagnosed it within myself (fortunately a friend sent me an article
about it). Some natural practitioners are beginning to pay serious attention to
clients who are fighting an internal war with an overgrowth of a common
intestinal yeast called Candida Albicans. This condition is rampant in our
society, largely because of our diet, but also I believe, because of mercury
dental filings and our historical heavy reliance on antibiotics. This condition is
just beginning to get the attention by professionals that it deserves.
People suffering from what is called candida-related complex or CRC, are
depressed, exhausted and anxious. They crave sugar and sometimes
alcohol. Their mental retention is often impaired. Their immune systems are
seriously compromised so that most foods cause them to bloat and produce
allergic/addictive responses. These people can put on significant amounts of
weight, or can be seriously underweight. The depression that results from
CRC will not lift until the colonies of yeast are brought under control. I have
had great success treating clients using caprylic acid, and a probiotic formula
called ãPrimal Defense,ä along with a tincture made from black walnut hulls
in addition to dietary changes. Information about candida-related complex
can be found on the internet.
After several years of struggling with clients to find the right drugs and
dosages and deal with the side effects of antidepressants, I began a search
for alternatives. My search took me to investigate amino acids, which are the
fundamental ãbuilding blocksä of the hundreds of proteins and other
chemicals in the body. What I found is that when properly supplemented,
aminos have a powerful impact on all but the most severe depressions, with
remarkably few side effects. Plus, they are considerably cheaper than
prescription pharmaceuticals. Prozac now costs about $130 a month, other
antidepressants can be much more expensive. I will present a program for
working with amino acids and other supplements in Part II of this series
©2003 Blue Lotus Press.
Click the link below for additional articles
Ross Bishop
neurotransmitter. When a neurotransmitter is received at a receptor site,
information is passed, whether it's a feeling of well-being (serotonin or
norepinephrine, for example), euphoria (opiates), pain (acetaldehydes such
as the chemical from alcohol that creates a hangover), excitement
(epinephrine, also known as adrenaline), or other chemical information.
Once a message has been passed over the synaptic gap, the
neurotransmitter and its by-products are then removed by a group of
enzymes. Monoamine oxidase is one of these enzymes. Think of these
enzymes as brain and nerve cell clean-up crews.
Since depression is associated with reduced levels of neurotransmitters, it
would seem logical to address the problem by simply boosting
neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Unfortunately, this is not such a simple
thing to do. The brain is separated from the rest of the body by a protective
membrane called the ãblood-brain barrier.ä The barrier allows small
ãbuilding blockä molecules like amino acids to pass, but obstructs larger,
more complex molecules.
The brain synthesizes the more complex chemicals that it needs from the
component parts that come through the barrier. For example, the body
produces large amounts of the neurotransmitter serotonin, but serotonin
cannot get through the blood-brain barrier. Only its precursor, the amino
acid Tryptophan, will pass. Once the Tryptophan reaches the brain, it is then
converted into serotonin. Some people have more "permeable" blood-brain
barriers than others, making them more susceptible to food related mood
changes (amino acids come from food, primarily from proteins).
Since the blood brain barrier prohibits simply introducing brain chemicals
into the body, neurochemists have had to find other, more creative, ways to
influence brain chemistry. One solution has been to slow down the bodyâs
reabsorption process, leaving more neurotransmitters in the system. The
drugs that do this are known as anti-depressants. The most well-known of
these is Prozac. Prozac is one of a family of what are called selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Prozac doesn't create serotonin, it
slows down its reabsorption, inhibiting the bodyâs natural clean-up process.
Today we have a new family of antidepressants called serotonin and
noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which block reabsorption and
also affect the balance between these two key monoamines. In contrast,
many of the older antidepressants (SSRIs) work just as well as the newer
drugs and are cheaper, but pose significantly greater risks. Some of the
older drugs can have disastrous effects for example, if taken in combination
with certain common foods. On the other hand, SSRIs are also safer when
taken in overdose, which is important when treating depression since suicide
is always a lurking concern.
In an interesting twist, and I think highlighting how little we understand about
the process, studies have confirmed that serotonin neurotransmitter levels in
humans can be linked to both inward and outward directed violence. One
study consisted of three groups of men: men convicted of homicide, men
who attempted suicide, and healthy males. The lowest levels of serotonin
were found in both those who had either killed someone else or attempted
suicide themselves, a seeming contradiction. Another study of
"self-mutilators" found that not only did these people have lower serotonin
levels, they also had more severe character pathology and had a greater
lifetime of aggression, as well as being more antisocial, with greater
impulsivity, chronic anger and anxiety. We have I think, a long way to go in
understanding what is happening in depression.
Antidepressants are the nuclear weapons of pharmacology in the war on
depression. They are very powerful drugs with powerful side effects. It's like
trying to crack a walnut with a sledgehammer. You must do it very carefully
for risk of damaging the nut along with the shell. Neuron receptor sites exist
throughout the body, and when you take antidepressants you impact the
entire body system, not just the brain. People can experience a host of
serious side effects like serious weight gain, urinary retention, sleep
disturbance, blurred vision, constipation, nausea, sexual dysfunction and as I
mentioned, one of the most disturbing side affects of all, suicide. Some
antidepressants can also create significant withdrawal issues, so even when
you quit, you must be monitored carefully.
You may have read recently about the high incidence of teen suicide and
SSRIs. After a good deal of political wrangling, the FDA, a long-standing
ally of the pharmaceutical industry, is finally making drug makers put strong
warnings on pill packaging against giving young people antidepressants.
The really unfortunate thing about antidepressants is that in addition to the
risks they pose, antidepressants have a very high failure rate. They simply do
not work in 30-40% of the cases. The high failure rate adds fuel to the
argument that we are not addressing the cause of depression but simply its
effects. Since antidepressants must be used and prescribed so carefully, I
hate to see clients use them. Fortunately there is a good alternative with few
side effects that is readily available, and as I said, I will address that in Part
II.
We have been talking primarily about neurotransmitters, but the balance
between essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, also plays an
important role in depression. A lack of essential omega-3 fatty acids (found
in cold-water fish such as tuna and salmon) and/or an excess of omega-6
saturated fats (found in certain vegetable oils, such as corn and soybean oils)
and animal fatty acids, leads to the formation of cell membranes that are
much less fluid than normal. This is especially important in the brain because
it affects the function of serotonin and dopamine, leading to serious impacts
on behavior, mood and mental function.
A study in London demonstrated that giving schizophrenic patients omega-3
fatty acids corrected membrane abnormalities and had a powerful impact on
patients mental states. The balance between the two omegas is important,
and the typical American diet is disproportionately high in omega-6s,
primarily from processed foods. Regularly eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty
acids and reducing the saturated fat (meat) and hydrogenated oil content in
our diets is a wise precaution.
Another cause for depression in a far smaller number of cases, is a genetic
inability to manufacture enough prostaglandin, an important brain chemical
that is derived from essential fatty acids. The problem is the result of a
genetic deficiency. Alcohol stimulates the temporary production of
prostaglandin and lifts the depression, which is why some researchers
believe that there is a strong genetic component to some types of alcoholism.
So, if your ancestry is more than one-quarter Celtic, Irish, Scandinavian,
Native American, Welsh, or Scottish and you have a family history of
alcoholism, depression, suicide, schizophrenia, or other mental illness, you
are at an elevated level of risk for prostaglandin deficiency. Fortunately, a
substance called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA--not to be confused with
linoleic acid--LA) is easily converted to prostaglandin, and there have been
remarkable recoveries from this form of depression within several weeks of
treatment. Look for a dietary supplement called Efamol, which is usually
made from evening primrose oil and vitamin E (and sometimes omega-3 and
6).
The last condition I will discuss is one that I would not have recognized if I
had not diagnosed it within myself (fortunately a friend sent me an article
about it). Some natural practitioners are beginning to pay serious attention to
clients who are fighting an internal war with an overgrowth of a common
intestinal yeast called Candida Albicans. This condition is rampant in our
society, largely because of our diet, but also I believe, because of mercury
dental filings and our historical heavy reliance on antibiotics. This condition is
just beginning to get the attention by professionals that it deserves.
People suffering from what is called candida-related complex or CRC, are
depressed, exhausted and anxious. They crave sugar and sometimes
alcohol. Their mental retention is often impaired. Their immune systems are
seriously compromised so that most foods cause them to bloat and produce
allergic/addictive responses. These people can put on significant amounts of
weight, or can be seriously underweight. The depression that results from
CRC will not lift until the colonies of yeast are brought under control. I have
had great success treating clients using caprylic acid, and a probiotic formula
called ãPrimal Defense,ä along with a tincture made from black walnut hulls
in addition to dietary changes. Information about candida-related complex
can be found on the internet.
After several years of struggling with clients to find the right drugs and
dosages and deal with the side effects of antidepressants, I began a search
for alternatives. My search took me to investigate amino acids, which are the
fundamental ãbuilding blocksä of the hundreds of proteins and other
chemicals in the body. What I found is that when properly supplemented,
aminos have a powerful impact on all but the most severe depressions, with
remarkably few side effects. Plus, they are considerably cheaper than
prescription pharmaceuticals. Prozac now costs about $130 a month, other
antidepressants can be much more expensive. I will present a program for
working with amino acids and other supplements in Part II of this series
©2003 Blue Lotus Press.
Click the link below for additional articles
Ross Bishop