Regarding neuro-transmittors =)

[Cerana]

Hey guys! I hope you find some time to read this and I really hope that someone knowledgable has some insight to give!

I have done A LOT of reading lately but I've not found definite answers to a few questions of mine.

So. I'm a guy with depression/chronically low dopamine levels.

I am also on SSRI (Fluoxetine 20mg. Tapered down over a few months to 5mg daily at the moment).

I will try to make my questions into an easily readable list...

1) Since SSRI's totally remove the entire effect of MDMA for me I'm wondering; will food high in serotonin, sunlight, massage et cetera do -nothing- for my happiness?

2) I (and the rest of my family on my maternal side) have documented VERY low natural dopamine levels (i.e stored dopamine). This pretty much means we have no motivation, energy, or, well, any incentive at all to do anything with our lives. I wonder; will increasing these levels through supplements such as l-tyrosin et cetera raise my average everyday storage/release of dopamine? Will I ever be able to feel happy when I accomplish something?

3) If I manage to raise my dopamine storage/release somehow by nutrition, will my brain fight to reduce those levels to my natural levels? :/

4) How MUCH does supplements/healthy diet, hard physical activity etc actually help your average will to live? For example I read that, well, getting your Magnesium on will significally boost your well being if you've been lacking it. Well, I lacked Magnesium by the boatloads when my tests came back. I've been on a big dose daily Magnesium Citrate (not gluconate, hydroxide etc etc) for a month now and I've noticed zero difference in mood balance, average happiness or alertness :/ Doesn't seem very "significant" to me.

4)b To be honest; about a bit more than a month ago I decided to start getting at least my nutritions in order as well as jogging 30 minutes daily. Mivi total vitamin boost, L-arginine and Magnesium. This has done nothing for my well-being/extreme tiredness. Due to the daily running I have no energy at all for the rest of the day.. And I barely have energy to stay awake for more than 4 hours in a row to begin with! Yes, I eat one hour before I jog and when I finish... What the hell is wrong with me?!

Thanks...

 

[Tprinehart275]

While I don't have any definite answers to your problems I can tell you that being in a somewhat similar situation, the antidepressant Wellbutrin has done many wonders for me. It directly affects your dopamine and from reading your personal accounts, it may be an option to discuss with your doctor.

 

[beagleboy]

2) I (and the rest of my family on my maternal side) have documented VERY low natural dopamine levels (i.e stored dopamine). This pretty much means we have no motivation, energy, or, well, any incentive at all to do anything with our lives. I wonder; will increasing these levels through supplements such as l-tyrosin et cetera raise my average everyday storage/release of dopamine? Will I ever be able to feel happy when I accomplish something?

Do you have source for documented low dopamine levels.

 

[ebola?]

Since SSRI's totally remove the entire effect of MDMA for me I'm wondering; will food high in serotonin, sunlight, massage et cetera do -nothing- for my happiness?

SSRIs block MDMA's ability to reverse the serotonin transporter. Everyday function of serotonin doesn't depend on this mechanism, so SSRIs don't inhibit serotonin's linkage to natural stimuli. Also, you should remember that it's not the case that more serotonin = happiness. Serotoninergic transmission is extremely complex and multifaceted, governing many aspects of neural function. Most gratifying stimuli don't have a particularly direct linkage to serotonin.

I (and the rest of my family on my maternal side) have documented VERY low natural dopamine levels (i.e stored dopamine). This pretty much means we have no motivation, energy, or, well, any incentive at all to do anything with our lives.

Has anyone in your family undergone an intracranial biopsy (while alive or recently post-mortem) to confirm this? No? Well, then you don't know this.

I wonder; will increasing these levels through supplements such as l-tyrosin et cetera raise my average everyday storage/release of dopamine? Will I ever be able to feel happy when I accomplish something?

L-tyrosine is opulent in typical diets, and under typical conditions, the enzyme that converts it to l-dopa is saturated. And then it is questionable whether a straightforward increase in dopaminergic activity (in the absence of other changes) would really 'treat' anhedonia in the way you'd like it to. It might just effect greater compulsive behavior without increasing gratification.

How MUCH does supplements/healthy diet, hard physical activity etc actually help your average will to live?

Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are of paramount importance for mental health. Supplements effect only minor, marginal benefits.

ebola

 

[Foreigner]

If you've been told by a doctor that you have a malfunction in your serotonin or dopamine system that will need lifelong treatment, then join the club. They tell this to everyone, with practically no empirical testing to back up the claim. I was told in my early 20's that I had a chemical imbalance (with no testing) and that I'd be on SSRIs for life. That didn't end up happening.

There are so many factors that go into a "will to live" so you're not going to find definitive answers here. You can only learn through tweaking your own lifestyle to see what works. I can tell you though that lifestyle CAN have a hugely positive impact on depression, making it a lot more manageable.

I have ongoing issues with depression, and I can tell you what works for me. A diet that leans more toward fats and proteins, and away from glutens, dairy, and processed food has improved my mood a lot. I wasn't even aware that certain foods can trigger low emotional states until I began cutting things out experimentally.

Of the fats, include both saturated and unsaturated fats. This means that lard and butter are okay as long as they are balanced in proportion with things like fish and olive oils. I discovered through research and experimentation that coconut oil has a positive impact on the dopamine system. I use it as a saturated fat additive in my diet.

Proteins: pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds are a good ratio of all the minerals you need in your diet, including the more rare ones like zinc. Meat accounts for the smallest portion of protein in my diet, and I only eat it for the B12 really. I'll eat red meat once in a blue moon, but I enjoy chicken, salmon, and even calf liver regularly. Bone marrow broths are a staple in my diet as they have health benefits that are still being discovered.

Regular intake of greens in all forms (fresh and cooked) is important. My favourites are kale, beets, and broccoli, but it varies.

I'm not a food nazi either. I think people who have "perfect" diets get depressed from the lack of pleasure. I partake in junk food in moderation too, but I notice when I'm having too much because the next day my mood is shit.

Exercise is important, and I've tried all kinds. The balance that works for me is strength training, stretching, and light cardio. I walk everywhere so doing cardio at the gym is redundant. Exercise gets the endorphins flowing.

Another thing is that atmospheric pressure really affects me. On low pressure, overcast days, I am much, much more prone to depression than on high pressure days (sun or no sun). I've confirmed this scientifically. A lot of migraine sufferers have low pressure triggers as well. So, if you live in an area where it rains half the year, you might want to examine that.

Friends? Social and creative outlets? FUN? The other stuff won't matter as much if you aren't able to let loose and feel joy with regularity. People need to laugh, party, dance, relate, or whatever gets their joy on.

I could go on and on... there are so many variables involved in the will to live. I mostly focused on the physiological stuff because for me those are the deal-breakers regardless of what other stuff is happening in my life.