Naturally Recovering Autism with Karen Thomas

The Function of Neurotransmitters and Their Disruptors


Listen Later

Why might my child be behaving this way. Toxins, inflammation on the brain, infections, and gut disruption reduce the production of neurotransmitters.

WHAT IS A NEUROTRANSMITTER?

Neurotransmitters can be thought of as the brain’s messengers. They are chemicals made in the digestive tract, or in the brain. They transmit messages vital to our brain’s ability to function properly, our body’s muscle movements, and more. They regulate our moods, appetite, and sleep. They even control our body’s response to pain. If the volume of these chemicals is too low or too high, the message is not sent properly and we experience symptoms.

Below are a some more commonly known neurotransmitters:

Serotonin

Serotonin is the neurotransmitter most involved in the cause of multiple medical and psychiatric problems.  It is greatly affected by inflammation and up to 95% of it is made in the gut, so the gut must be working properly. It mainly affects mood, sleep and appetite. 

Low levels of serotonin may contribute to:

  • Moodiness, including irritability and depression
  • Trouble sleeping
    • Appetite control (lack of satiety)
  • Night terrors
  • Poor digestion
  • Migraine headaches
  • Dopamine

    Dopamine is essential in attention, focus, and impulse control. Low dopamine is often a contributor to trouble with handwriting, and ability to organize thoughts or plan future events , extremely low motivation and drive, extreme hyperactivity, motor control, and reward. 

    Signals that dopamine is low:

    • Trouble focusing
  • No sense of pleasure or reward
  • Inattentive
  • Low motivation
  • Difficulty with follow through
  • Too much dopamine can be a problem, just as too little can be a problem. Too much dopamine with phenylalanine can cause behavioral disorders such as schizophrenia and seizures.

    Signals that dopamine is too high:

    • Hyperfocus
  • Stuck in negative behavior patterns (the grudge holder)
  • Click Here for more details.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Naturally Recovering Autism with Karen ThomasBy Karen Thomas, Founder, CEO

    • 4.1
    • 4.1
    • 4.1
    • 4.1
    • 4.1

    4.1

    48 ratings


    More shows like Naturally Recovering Autism with Karen Thomas

    View all
    The Heidi St. John Podcast by Heidi St. John

    The Heidi St. John Podcast

    3,733 Listeners

    What Have You by Canon Press

    What Have You

    1,339 Listeners

    The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

    The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

    6,786 Listeners

    Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast by Dr. Eric Berg

    Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast

    1,649 Listeners

    Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey by Blaze Podcast Network

    Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey

    19,966 Listeners

    Ancient Health Podcast by Ancient Health Podcast

    Ancient Health Podcast

    1,750 Listeners

    Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark by Turning Point USA

    Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark

    11,991 Listeners

    THE MCCULLOUGH REPORT by Dr. Peter McCullough

    THE MCCULLOUGH REPORT

    2,481 Listeners

    The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

    The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show

    1,143 Listeners

    Red Pill Your Healthcast by Dr. Charlie Fagenholz (@drcharliedc_2.0), Lauren Johnson (@naturalnursemomma)

    Red Pill Your Healthcast

    789 Listeners

    The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

    The Mel Robbins Podcast

    20,758 Listeners

    Healing + Human Potential by Alyssa Nobriga

    Healing + Human Potential

    313 Listeners

    The Jefferson Fisher Podcast by Civility Media

    The Jefferson Fisher Podcast

    7,610 Listeners

    The MAHA Podcast by Del Bigtree

    The MAHA Podcast

    64 Listeners