EMPOWERMENTS!! Nervous System Regulation: Chemicals Involved in Regulating Anxiety

Greetings and Welcome!

It is Jake here again blasting out some very useful information for YOUR betterment!

YEEEE HAAAA!!

ARE YOU READY TO BE EMPOWERED!!!

Today I am sharing another article I wrote up to explain some discoveries I had made during my investigations into nervous system regulation. Just another piece to the bigger puzzle, but something I found very important. The HPA. Find out more by reading through.

Below you'll find Part 1 of a two part article.

Let's get started.

Chemicals Involved in Regulating Anxiety

Part 1

The main chemicals involved in regulating anxiety and the body’s stress response are many, all with their own purpose. In part 1, a portion of these chemicals, I look at them individually and then tie it together with some thought, and helpful options to understand the mechanisms, and not get too lost too fast.

Concerning regulation–chemical stress responses–some elevate while others deplete. Some are neurotransmitters and others are hormonal. It can become confusing reading through all at once.

In this section, please find a brief summary following this initial look at the first 4–that creates another response by the fifth– and round out the information to bring it into an understandable context.

It’s a lot of information, what does it all mean? Remember, these are chemical messengers responding to; oxidative stress, inflammation, and/or “perceived danger”, which in turn results in anxiety/panic/depression. Let’s get started.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA):

This is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and acts as the nervous system’s natural calming agent. Low levels of GABA are very much associated with heightened anxiety and fear. It is also related to nerve cell hyper-activity.

Serotonin:

Often called the “feel good” or mood stabalizing neurotransmitter. Low levels of serotonin are commonly linked to anxiety and depression. (*Many anxiety medications–SSRI’s–are meant to increase the available amounts of serotonin in the brain. Further research on this coming)

Norepinephrine:

A key neurotransmitter of the body’s “fight, flight, freeze” response including; increased alertness, heart rate, and blood pressure in response to stress. Dysregulation, too much norepinephrine, can lead to heightened anxious feelings, irritability, and panic attacks.

Adrenaline (Epinephrine):

Closely related to norepinephrine, adrenaline is a hormone that floods the body during perceived danger, causing immediate physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat and muscle tensions that are characteristic of acute anxiety or panic attacks. Levels vary.

Cortisol & Corticotropin releasing hormones:

These are stress hormones involved in the hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal gland axis. (HPA) When these systems are overactive (like when the previous neurotransmitters are at work) due to chronic stress. Cortisol kicks in, and elevated cortisol levels perpetuate the cycles of heightened stress and anxiety.

So let's tie this together now. It is a cycle indeed. Individual spikes or depletion of GABA, serotonin, norepinephrine and adrenaline create the acute responses and when they continue (chemical stress responses), the body’s (HPA) axis begins to create cortisol–leaving your body in constant strain. Chemically speaking–like a downward spiral of anxiety, panic, and elevated survival response.

With proper regulation, cortisol can be reduced–removing the perpetuation cycle–and the acute responses and body can naturally transition back into comfort and safety.

Another key phrase often associated with nervous system regulation, as already observed–”perceived danger”. This is important to understand in the current digital world we live in. Through simple daily choices–limiting inputs of content–that trigger “perceived danger”. We can alleviate many stress responses. Our body and brain don't discearn the difference between immediate danger and perceived danger. The nervous system wiring response is the same.

It’s a tricky environment we live in today. Our ancient wiring hasnt changed. Becoming aware of this empowers you. I do understand what it’s like out in this world. Shit happens. Far too often. You can begin to make choices on where you’re putting your attention, and this alone can lessen your body’s responses to the many indirect inputs of perceived danger.

Another simple solution to alleviate and help regulate your nervous system is taking LVIQ. A tablet. (non-pharma) In my full workshop/workbook, I go deeper into the mechanism of hydrogen in relation to oxidative stress and inflammation. Outlined above chemical messengers are there as a part of your sympathetic nervous system response. They are needed and useful, but having your sympathetic side stuck open is where the cortisol comes into play perpetuating a survival response, rather than transitioning back out of those responses after the threat–or perceived threat–has passed.

In part 2, I will continue looking at more chemicals involved in regulating anxiety, and the nervous system as a whole. I do hope you have found some useful information here in part 1.

I took some time here to point out the cycle of perpetuation. I found that very beneficial and useful in understanding these chemical messenger responses. I never knew the HPA activates cortisol–because of– acute responses…which are natural, but with too much triggers unneeded, and likely, undesired extensions of anxiety.

A mechanism perpetuating survival–even through “perceived danger/threat”.

I get it, maybe you have a stressful job. Stress can’t be eliminated–especially nowadays–but transitioning out of the acute responses is important. Get that system from pumping our cortisol keeping you stuck open. Not everyone can go lounge at a beach, or sit in meditation doing somatics. Winding down now has another solution.

Be well, Jake!

I do offer coaching. If this information has opened your mind a bit, you are invited to further this expansion. I also have other very informative posts within this group that very much intersect. My intention is being in service for the betterment of humanity. It is my belief that through the individual practice by which One finds balance, coherence, and clarity, New Earth emerges.

We all play our beautifully unique part.

I would love to connect further with you.

One by one we are showing up, and the multitudes are growing. I love being a part of that.

I look forward to hear how this article has found you.

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