A Quick Guide to Natural Solutions

by Cristine Price, M.S.

Have you ever felt tired and sluggish and reached for a caffeine drink to pull you out of it? Do you find yourself spinning your wheels until bedtime and toss and turn to get to sleep? Do you find that you have a hard time leaving the snacks alone in the evening and feel unsettled without them?

All of these scenarios, as different as they sound, have one thing in common. They all suggest a chemical imbalance, something that most recovering people are very familiar with. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you need a chemical solution.

The first way to balance your brain chemistry is to understand the nature of the five basic categories of neurochemicals, three of which are addressed in this article. Many of us are familiar with the substances that fit into these categories, such as uppers, downers and all-arounders. But many of us don’t realize that the neurotransmitters flowing throughout our brains and bodies include naturally occurring stimulants, depressants, mood lifters, pain relievers and pleasure chemicals. When these chemicals are out of balance (either too high or too low), we experience symptoms that affect our moods and may elicit cravings for the substances that mimic them, which are actually the counterfeits.

Norepinephrine/Noradrenaline is the body’s natural stimulant.

A natural way to increase norepinephrine is with an alkaline diet, consisting of lots of fruits, vegetables, light proteins and minimal carbohydrates and starches. For example, start the day with a green smoothie, have a chef salad for lunch and a dinner of chicken, hot vegetables and a small serving of potatoes. This style of eating, for many people, increases energy significantly and leads to desirable weight loss without the harmful effects of stimulants.

Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) is the brain’s natural depressant.

GABA actually works in the brain by inhibiting, or blocking, the stimulant receptors. It can be increased naturally by engaging in relaxation exercises, meditation and yoga. A practice of ten full minutes of total stillness and quieting of the mind, with deep, slow breathing will calm the nervous system. It is a great practice in the evening and before bed. Learn more about meditation in my courses Gratitude, Meditation and Mindfulness and Mind Over Chatter

Serotonin is the body’s natural anti-depressant

We can increase our serotonin levels with a supplement called 5HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan), which is a naturally occurring amino acid and metabolite of serotonin. It is sold in health food stores and provides the body with the precursors to make its own serotonin.

Whether at your stage of recovery you are replacing an illegal substance with a pharmaceutical or over-the-counter option, or you are replacing a caffeine habit with something more natural, the first step is to understand your own chemistry. An important facet of recovery is to find ever healthier solutions that truly support brain chemistry and restore real balance.

Learn about two additional neuro-chemicals PLUS how you can naturally improve your own chemistry in my online course:      4 Weeks to Physical Wellness at QuantaLiving.com

Cristine Price, M.S. is a Holistic Mental Health Counselor and Recovery Coach in Northern Utah. She is the author of Ten Ways to Balance Your Brain Chemistry, a guide to replacing chemical counterfeits with genuine solutions. The book and this article are not intended to replace professional therapy or medical treatment.