Effects of Neurotransmission on Human Behavior IB Psychology Taken from:Levels of Analysis in Psychology By: Jennie Jamison

Neurotransmission affects everything and everything affects neurotransmission!

Neurotransmission and Behavior We have already discussed how neurotransmitters are important messengers in our bodies. Link between neurotransmitter imbalance and impaired functioning…dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin.

Food and Mood Why do people fail to eat properly?

Diet and Neurotransmission The building blocks of normal neurotransmitter function starts prenatally. Continued poor diet negatively affects one’s ability to cope with life stressors. Life stressors lead to increased stress hormones which lead to higher risk of mental and physical health problems.

Diet and Neurotransmitters Food impacts how neurotransmitters function in the brain, which affects behavior. Approximately 70 neurotransmitters regulate functioning and contribute to normal functioning.

Serotonin Serotonin is linked to: depression, antisocial behavior, autism, anxiety, addictions, and eating disorders. Serotonin is a monoamine- a synthesized form of single amino acid (tryptophan) Our bodies DO NOT produce tryptophan. We have to get it from food.

Serotonin “No other neurotransmitter is as strongly linked to your diet as serotonin.” (Somer, 1999)

What else does food do? Provides other nutrients vital for proper neurotransmitter functioning: B vitamins Vitamin C Selenium Magnesium Lack of some nutrients can cause irreversible damage to the nervous system: protein and zinc.

Diet is really important!! Diets should be balanced. Diets too high in protein or in simple carbs can cause imbalances in blood sugar AND neurotransmitters that affect mood. Sugar is good for energy, but too much can cause low mood and energy.

What happens with a poor diet? Sugar enters the bloodstream  increased blood sugar  pancreas releasing insulin  decreased blood sugar (usually sending in lower than where it started). Foods high in sugar and caffeine also lower serotonin levels in the brain, which can slow people down.

Diet is really important!! A poor diet creates a vicious cycle. Negative Mood Food Craving Good Feelings (temporary) Crash

Diet and Depression People with depression tend to prefer and crave fats and carbohydrates.

Research on Diet, Neurotransmitters and Depression Larry Cristensen and Ross Burrows (1990) “Dietary Treatment of Depression” Research Question: Will a better diet stabilize neurotransmitters and in turn stabilize mood?

Christensen and Barrows (1990) Participants 20 participants with depression related to diet were chosen. Participants were given the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Chritensen Dietary Distress Inventory

Christensen and Barrows (1990) Methods Randomly Assigned to Experimental or Control Conditions Experimental Condition: Eliminated sucrose and caffeine for 3 weeks. Control Condition: Eliminated red meat and artificial sweetener. Saliva tests were give to show that participants followed their diets over the three weeks.

Christensen and Barrows (1990) Results Experimental Group showed fewer depression symptoms. Benefits were maintained for three months. Authors concluded that dietary changes were successful for most but not all of the study participants.

Christensen and Barrows (1990) Limitations & Next Steps Results not generalizable to all depressed patients. NOT a random sample of all depressed people. Not fully controlled. More research is needed.

In Conclusion… Theories explaining the relationship between diet and depression are incomplete (Christensen, 2007) Diet is one factor that increases the risk of depression. It is important to remember that balance is important, and anything we do to disrupt our bodies balance will affect neurotransmission.