-Dr.
Neil Solomon, M.D., Ph.D., |
Simply
put, depression is a mood disturbance. In response to
stressor(s) – non-including bereavement one may,
feel very sad, hopeless about his situation, and possibly
tearful. Usually within six months, if the stressor is
resolved, the preson feels back to him or himself. If
the stressor is chronk the depression may last much longer
until things get resolved. Examples of such situations
could be a long-term disabling illness or the dissolution
of a family.
|
Depressions
are a disorder of the brain’s chemistry. However,
the disease is much more complex than it sounds. There
are three other main categories of depression: major
depressive illness, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder.
|
Chemical
in the brain may be largely responsible for depression,
mania, and hypomania. Serotonin is one such known
chemical. Studies on Morinda Citrifolia reveal an
important role it may play in the body’s production
and proper utilization of serotonin. Noni’s
believed ability to boost other natural biochemicals
such as hormonesmight play a part in why so many people
have experienced positive results helping their depression
with Noni drink. Major depression, dysthymia, and
bipolar disorder often require psychiatric help and
medicines to normalize the chemicals in the brain. |
Serotonin
is a hormone that act asa neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters
send messages (electrical impulses) from one nerve
cell to another. |
|
Serotonin
manufactured by the body, is found along with its receptor
sites in the brain, blood platelets and lining of the digestive
tract. This is also a precursor to a hormone called Melatonin
which plays multiple life-giving roles in the body, including
regulating biological rhyms. Serotonin is more than a messenger,
as it’s level in our body affects a wide range of
mental and physical responses in the body and plays a significant
role in activities such as temperature regulation, longer
sensations, sexual behaviour, and sleep patterns. Serotonin
receptors also help to regulate emotions, cognition, pain,
and sensory motor function. Serotonin deficiencies can give
rise to wide range of illnesses, depending on the part of
the brain that is affected. |
 |
For
example, serotonin levels in the brain determine whether
we will perceivea glass of water as being half-empty or
half-full. Other neurotransmitters may send the messae that
we are full. But serotonin levels determine if we feel satisfied.
In a recent study using PET scans (technology that measures
cell function to gauge the rate of Serotonin synthesis),
it was found that men in the study produced 52% more serotonin
than women. Women are twice as likely as men to beocme clinically
depressed. Low Serotonin levels in the brain are linked
to clinical depression, suicidal tendencies, anxiety disorders,
obsessive-compulsive behaviours (such as overeating), bulimia,
schizophrenia, sleep problems, migraine headaches, autism,
drug and alcohol addiciton, alzheimer’s diseae, and
patterns of violent behaviour. The conditions listed above
may substancially disappear or improve significantly when
Serotonin levels are raised. |
|
Please
note that the information in this web site is not intended
in any way as substitute for medical advice from a qualified
health care professional. All content on this web site is
for informational purposes only.
|
©
2005 Zenith
Infosys. All Rights Reserved |
|
