Treating A Chemical Imbalance Can Improve Your Health
While a chemical imbalance in the brain isn’t diagnosable, having too much or too few neurotransmitters—the natural chemicals that help your nerve cells communicate with each other—can lead to symptoms similar to multiple mental health conditions. The human brain is a complex organic machine, and scientists still don’t fully understand how it works.
Depression and anxiety were believed to be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain for many years. Still, many in the medical and scientific communities consider the theory of chemical imbalance causing depression and other mental health conditions disproven. That doesn’t mean your neurochemicals can’t cause you to experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions.
Continue reading to learn what a chemical imbalance can do to your body and how to manage the symptoms with therapy, lifestyle changes, and self-care.
What is a chemical imbalance?
When your body has an excess or shortage of any substance it needs to function correctly, you have a chemical imbalance. Though the term can apply to any substance the body requires, it generally refers to brain chemistry and neurotransmitters. Your body also produces natural hormones, an imbalance of which can cause symptoms such as reduced libido, weight gain, mood changes, difficulty concentrating, and other physical symptoms. Imbalances in your thyroid or adrenal glands can also negatively impact your mind and body.
What is chemical imbalance theory?
Chemical imbalance theory, also known as serotonin theory or the serotonin theory of depression, was first introduced in the late 1950s, stating that an imbalance of the neurotransmitter serotonin caused mental health conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, mood, personality, and behavior disorders. Pharmaceutical companies and popular media popularized the theory despite the lack of empirical evidence and peer-reviewed studies.
Recent research has debunked the theory, with most studies pointing to psychological and sociocultural causes as well as biological factors like genetics that contribute to mental health disorders. While there is still a lack of understanding about the exact cause of mental health conditions, the chemical imbalance theory has been largely discredited.
Neurotransmitters and the role they play in your brain
Some primary neurotransmitters are serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), and glutamate. These brain chemicals play a role in many physical and emotional functions, such as sleep, behavior, memory, appetite, mood, cognition, pleasure, stress response, brain development, and arousal.
Symptoms of a chemical imbalance
An imbalance in neurotransmitters can cause a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms, depending on the type of disorder.
Common chemical imbalance symptoms may include:
- Lack of sleep or excessive sleeping
- Trouble concentrating
- Extreme mood swings and emotional shifts for no apparent reason
- Loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Drastic behavior changes
- Lack of energy, libido, or interest in previously favored activities
- Intensifying mental health symptoms
How chemical imbalance affects mental health
Mood and emotion are primarily controlled by the limbic system in your brain, which is modulated by hormones and neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that communicate signals between brain cells to control your emotions and behavior. Mental health conditions are not directly caused by chemical imbalances, however, an imbalance of neurotransmitters like serotonin may cause mental health symptoms.
Symptom overlap and lack of supporting science make it difficult to say with certainty how a chemical imbalance affects mental health. If you are concerned and would like to know your neurotransmitter levels, speak to your physician or therapist to determine if there is a test you can take.
How to treat a chemical imbalance
If you think you may have a chemical imbalance, there could be steps you can take to manage your symptoms. Talk with your healthcare provider to determine the best methods for your situation.
Here are a few ways to manage chemical imbalance symptoms:
- Exercise: Exercise releases dopamine, improving mood, mitigating depressive symptoms, and promoting fitness. 30-60 minutes of daily exercise offers numerous benefits.
- Nutrition: A deficiency of vitamin D may contribute to depression and anxiety symptoms. Eating a balanced diet can help fuel proper brain function and support neurotransmitter production.
- Medication: Certain medications may help balance hormones or relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information about these treatments.
- Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help identify negative thought patterns, address irrational beliefs, and develop more helpful coping mechanisms.
- Mindfulness: Mindful meditation helps to reduce stress levels and improve emotional regulation. Practicing mindfulness techniques can help you stay grounded and manage difficult emotions.
How therapy can help treat chemical imbalance symptoms
While therapy can’t treat the chemical imbalance, it may help you manage your symptoms. A therapist can help you identify any underlying issues that may be contributing to your symptoms. They can also help you manage your stress levels and offer support as you explore lifestyle changes that may help relieve some of the physical effects of chemical imbalance.
Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as traditional, in-person therapy. With online therapy, you can seek treatment from the comfort of your home, or wherever you have an internet connection. Online therapy can often be more convenient for individuals who don’t have local resources for traditional therapy, can’t physically attend sessions, or have difficulty taking time off work.
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Takeaway
How do you know if you have a chemical imbalance?
There can be many signs that a person has a chemical imbalance, including the following.
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However, these symptoms do not necessarily mean you are experiencing a chemical imbalance and are common among other disorders and health concerns. In addition, doctors are often unable to diagnose a chemical imbalance. In many cases, a chemical imbalance will manifest as a physical or mental health condition, though these conditions will also typically be influenced by a variety of other factors.
How do I fix my chemical imbalance?
Depending on the nature of your chemical imbalance, different treatments may be used, such as therapy and medication. While the connection between mental illnesses and chemical imbalances may require further research, therapy can help to address these thought patterns and find techniques that can help a person to function.
Other techniques may help improve one’s health as well, including lifestyle changes. These lifestyle changes may include improving one’s sleep hygiene, frequently engaging in physical activity, and healthy eating habits. A primary care physician may also instruct someone to eat supplements such as fish oil pills, which can provide omega-3 fatty acids.
How do I reset my chemical brain balance?
While the best way to address a chemical imbalance in the brain is typically to visit a physician or mental health professional, some behaviors may benefit your brain's chemical balance. These may include:
- Practicing Mindfulness: Mindfulness exercises, such as gratitude journaling and meditation, may be effective tools to help a person improve their physical and mental well-being. While these practices may not directly fix your chemical imbalance, they can help you reduce stress and cope with the associated symptoms.
- Getting Out in Nature: Getting outside and into nature can have a variety of benefits, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and overall mortality. Spending time in nature may also reduce the mental distress associated with a chemical imbalance.
- Eating a Healthy Diet: Ensuring that your diet is balanced and contains healthy foods can also help address the symptoms of a chemical imbalance. By improving the health of your gastrointestinal tract, you may be able to influence the production of chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.
Is anxiety a chemical imbalance?
While there may be a variety of causes for anxiety disorders, one possible explanation is a chemical imbalance (though this may be an oversimplification of the subject). Chemicals like serotonin and dopamine (called neurotransmitters) have been linked to anxiety. A deficiency in these chemicals, which contribute to mood function, sleep, energy, and a variety of other functions, can also lead to a variety of other conditions. However, many factors could lead a person to develop anxiety, including a family history of mood disorders, certain conditions like hyperthyroidism, and significant stress. However, it's important to note that an imbalance of neurotransmitters may only be one contributing factor to anxiety.
Can doctors tell if you have a chemical imbalance?
Direct testing for chemical imbalances in the brain is not typically possible. However, doctors may be able to perform tests that can help to assess the levels of specific chemicals such as serotonin. Still, these tests are not typically used to diagnose a chemical imbalance. Instead, doctors will diagnose you with a specific condition or illness based on the symptoms you are experiencing. From there, they will likely find treatment options that address this specific condition or illness. While past research may have suggested a connection between conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and chemical imbalances, more recent studies have challenged these claims.
What chemical causes anxiety?
In most cases, a single chemical will not be the cause for feelings of anxiety or an anxiety disorder. A variety of biological and environmental factors can influence whether a person develops a mental health condition like anxiety. However, one chemical that may be connected to feelings associated with anxiety is the hormone epinephrine. The symptoms of anxiety may increase epinephrine, resulting in higher blood pressure, heart rate, and rate of breathing. This is typically part of your body's fight or flight response; if this happens consistently, the symptoms of anxiety may be increased.
What are signs of low dopamine?
There can be a number of signs and symptoms of dopamine deficiency, including the following:
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Low dopamine may result in a variety of challenges relating to mental health (sometimes incorrectly referred to as “mental health issues.”) If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be beneficial to talk to your primary care physician or a mental health professional.
How can I rebalance my brain chemicals naturally?
There are a few behaviors that may help to improve one’s health or balance the chemicals of the brain, including:
- Maintain Healthy Circadian Rhythms: Our circadian rhythms can dictate the release of chemicals like melatonin and serotonin which can help us to feel energized during the day and sleep well at night. There are many ways to ensure you maintain a healthy rhythm, such as getting sunlight first thing in the morning and making sure you have good sleep hygiene.
- Improve Gut Health: The health of your gut-brain axis can determine the balance of many chemicals in the brain, as well as the presence of several health conditions. By eating a healthy diet and ensuring you get enough probiotics, you can keep your gut healthy and balanced.
- Reduce Stress: The release of hormones associated with stress, like adrenaline and cortisol, can cause a number of changes in the body; if these occur frequently, they may result in physical and mental harm. Stress can be eliminated through a variety of activities, including exercise, engaging in relaxing hobbies, and meditation.
Is ADHD a chemical imbalance?
While ADHD can be connected to some causes, one potential source is an imbalance of dopamine in the brain. However, there may not be a way for medical professionals to test the levels of dopamine a person has in the brain. It is theorized that a lack of dopamine may also result in a lower amount of norepinephrine (a neurotransmitter synthesized from dopamine.) As a result, levels of both dopamine and norepinephrine can be lower in individuals experiencing ADHD. In addition, those living with ADHD may have less activity in their frontal lobes, which are responsible for several functions. These functions include impulsive control, focus, memory, problem-solving, judgment, motivation, and attention.
What is a chemical imbalance in a woman?
Chemical imbalances are not necessarily gender-specific; men, women, and people of any gender may have similar experiences. These imbalances typically occur when the levels of neurotransmitters, hormones, or other chemicals are out of balance within the body and brain.
While chemical imbalance may lead to conditions like depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, the exact causes of these mental health disorders can vary. These conditions may be treated by a variety of treatments, with psychotherapy being the most effective choice in many cases. However, certain medications may also be used if prescribed by a healthcare professional. One example of medications for depression specifically is SSRIs. These medications work by blocking the reabsorption of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which are important for mood modulation.
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