The Neurotransmitter Responsible for Motivation

It is more common to know how we function biologically from the neck down more than the neck up. Even though body and mind are interconnected and depending on how one performs, it will determine how the other performs as well.

When you feel overly stressed, anxious, have poor concentration, constant cravings, weight issues, or suboptimal performance thank your NT.

When you have confidence, drive, motivation, focus, and the ability to handle what life throws at you thank your NT.

Knowing how your neurotransmitters work and how they are responsible for the state you are in will give you an awareness on how to modulate them. There are over 100 Neurotransmitters mainly, there are 6 that play a huge role on how you perform, feel, and act.

Serotonin plays a role in:                     

• Mood and behavior
• Appetite and a relationship with food
• Sleep  quality
• Sexual desire and function

Low levels of Serotonin:

• Sleep issues
• Can't relax
• Wakes up at least twice a night
• Difficulty falling back asleep once awake
• Sadness
• Doesn't feel like exercising

Gaba plays a role in:

• Relaxation of brain and muscle
• Controls fear, anxiety and anguish
• Combats ADHD

Low Levels of Gaba:                       

• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Irritability
• Nervous tension

Dopamine plays a role in:

• Pleasure
• Activates the brain's reward system
• Drive
• Personal Motivation
• Willpower
• Physical energy
• Focus and concentration

Those with low levels of dopamine may have trouble getting out of bed in the morning or the couch and have a tendency to isolate from engagement and activity. They tend to participate more in  dopamine-boosting unsustainable addictions like playing video games, smoking cigarettes, television, porn, or "risky behavior" like gambling, and drug & alcohol binges. We all have some sort of addictions whether its internet, sports, sugar, and the infamous Facebook or as how my mom refers to it 'Bookface'. Some are more culturally acceptable than others that doesn't make one worst than the others.

There are 3 other Neurotransmitters that are super important that I will discuss on another post they are acetylcholine, epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (both NT & hormone)

Impact on Our Modern Lifestyle

Right now i believe that we are living in the worst time of pollution, toxins with over 100,000 man made artificial chemicals, pharmaceutical drugs, pesticides, chem trails, GMO infested crops, EMF's, super convenient junk food, radiation, demineralized soils, chlorinated/fluoridated water, circulating on an omnipresent level. 

On the contrary, I also believe that for every problem nature and humanity always provides us with solutions. At this day in age we have access to the most powerful superfoods, medicinal herbs, neuroprotective supplements, nootropics, fitness gyms, yoga studios, biometrics, farmers markets, health food stores, and access to virtually any kind of health optimization information we need with the power of the internet.

Conclusion

For health and performance optimization everyone should be taking supplements again, this goes back on the impact of modern day living. With one exception of course. Unless you are living in a part of the world that is free from air, water, and soil pollution, eat only grass fed animals, organically wild grown plants, spend plenty of time out in the sun exercising and meditate like a monastery monk out in the himalayas. It's practically impossible to nourish and protect your body and mind.