When we eat, our bodies are similar to a computer requiring power to run. But, how does our body realize that when it needs to eat and it has to stop eating? This is regulated by a multitude of different systems within us, one set of which are substances affectionately called neurotransmitters in the brain.
Neurotransmitters are the signalling molecules in our brain that affect our mood, thoughts, and actions. One of them even has a very peculiar role it regulates our appetite or how satiated we are.
Two key neurotransmitters that let our body know when to stop eating are called orexin and ghrelin. They are serotonin and norepinephrine. In short, they reduce our appetite by functioning in our brain, these chemicals work together. We should learn how these two neurotransmitters are involved in the dysregulation of feeding behaviour.
What Are Neurotransmitters?
For us to move research forward, I should perhaps pause and explain that serotonin and norepinephrine are both examples of the many hundreds of substances we call neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are small chemical courier systems featured in the brain, that aid neurons in their cell-to-cell communication. Neurotransmitter: When a nerve cell wants to send a message to another nerve cell, it releases neurotransmitters across a tiny gap-based space between the cells The neurotransmitter is taken up by the next nerve cell, transmitting the message.
In our brains are a lot of different neurotransmitters, and they all do a little bit different things. For the rest of us, we want to have a certain set of neurotransmitters that make us happy, others that help us focus, and some just want to sleep. Some neurotransmitters can therefore inform our brain that it has a sufficient intake and that there is no reason to eat more.
What Is Serotonin?
Our body and brain give very important neurotransmitters including Serotonin. It serves a number of different functions, and one of the main ones is regulating mood, sleep, and digestion. One of its central roles, however, is in regulating appetite.
This neurotransmitter is known as the feel-good chemical that helps keep us feeling calm and harmonized and can suppress hunger. High levels of serotonin can reduce hunger, i.e., make us feel full.
That is because serotonin sends signals to the brain that we are full or satisfied with food. Wake up call to the brain but when it assented with these sit signals then no longer signaled hunger and we did not feel hungry anymore.
Pretend like you are tasting your favourite food Initially you will be hungry, and the more you eat, the more serotonin your body makes. Your brain begins to feel full and happy, and soon enough, you lose your appetite too. This is how serotonin helps us control our food intake, ensuring that we eat the amount of foods that our body requires for optimal performance.
This is because serotonin is abundant in the gut, and it plays a major role that includes the digestion of the food we consume (and the transfer of nutrients. It also has actions in the brain, especially within areas of the brain that influence mood and hunger.
When our serotonin neurotransmitters are in balance we feel good about life and that our appetite is regulated properly. On the other, If it is low, the appetite may increase too much or else problems related to overeating or loss of appetite will occur.
What Is Norepinephrine?
Another important neurotransmitter which has satiety effects is Norepinephrine. Also known as the “alertness” neurotransmitter because it helps us stay awake and alert.
However, norepinephrine can also suppress our appetite just as serotonin does particularly when we are in danger and need to be alert and awake (regular adaptations).
As mentioned above, an increase in norepinephrine levels can reduce hunger. This is because norepinephrine is a component in our body’s “fight or flight” response, which is how our body reacts during situations of stress.
If we are in danger, our body sets to fight or flee so that eating is not a matter of life and death. Hence, norepinephrine helps to curb our appetite so that we can address the situation at hand.
Some examples include when you are playing a super intense game or when taking an important test. As you engage in these activities, your body goes to work and produces norepinephrine to help keep yourself on the straight path.
I bet you, at these times, you probably realize that you are not all that hungry even if it has been a while since your last shot of food. That’s because norepinephrine is telling your brain it’s not time to eat yet.
Apart from appetite suppression, norepinephrine also controls energy levels and dictates how the body uses stored fat for fuel. In turn, this highlights the importance of norepinephrine in maintaining a normal balance between consuming food and activity.
What is the Working Process of Serotonin and Norepinephrine?
Both Serotonin and Norepinephrine work together to reduce our appetite so we don’t overeat. Serotonin helps us feel full and satisfied after eating, while norepinephrine can help suppress our appetite in situations where we need to stay alert and wakeful. They work together to give a message to our body that we should eat only when necessary and as soon as we are full.
These two neurotransmitters in the brain communicate with nerve cells which are responsible for appetite. When we have enough serotonin, the brain senses it as if we are full; thus, sends a termination signal to quit eating.
However, when the brain detects that norepinephrine levels are rising, it sends a signal to focus on more interesting things like playing or working rather than eating.
The teamwork with which they keep our appetite in check. We would be hungry through no fault of our own, and we would continue to eat even when our body was full if we did not have enough serotonin or norepinephrine.
This can potentially lead to problems such as gaining too much weight or being abnormally exhausted. That’s why these neurotransmitters are so crucial to our survival, and the amount we eat.
Why Is Appetite Suppression Needed???
The main thing they do for us is to help suppress the appetite, allowing us to keep our weight in check and remain energized throughout the day. By letting us know when we are full or telling us that we are not hungry in the first place our brain serves as a break, stopping us from overeating which can lead to obesity and other various health consequences.
We need to eat and we need to expend energy. When we eat too much, especially beyond our ability to burn the excess food for energy, it becomes fat.
However, when we do not eat enough food, our body does not receive the nutrients it needs or energy to function properly. This balance is responsible for our feeling of wellness and neurotransmitters such as serotonin or norepinephrine help to keep it in check.
This matters because appetite suppression is vital in ensuring that we eat when we should and do not eat when it is completely unnecessary. When we, for instance, experience a high stress or a heavy workload our body needs energy but it also has to remain focused.
But norepinephrine works to suppress appetite so we can be awake and active and get things done. After the scary or dangerous situation has passed, serotonin comes to our rescue and soothes us, signalling that it is safe now and telling our bodies you can calm down now!
You Should Know What Can Go Wrong with These Neurotransmitters
Serotonin and norepinephrine are the two neurotransmitters that do a fantastic job at regulating appetite, but only when they are in the correct proportions. But, when the levels of these neurotransmitters are out of balance, we either eat too much or feel too sad or anxious.
When our serotonin is too low, that’s when we can be eating plenty but feeling hungry all the time. As a result that can cause over-eating as well as weight gain.
If our serotonin drops it can make us feel a bit down or fidgety which in turn may have something to do with why we just want to eat and try to get a ‘feel good’ hormone hit. When your serotonin is low, you could be among the group that eats sweet or high-fat in order to feel better.
In contrast, an excess of norepinephrine will result in appetite suppression. This occurs mainly in situations of great stress when we are aware of the events that happen and we forget to eat. Low levels of hunger for short periods can be beneficial though, but we need to consume appropriate amounts of food on time so that our energy level remains intact.
Biologists and clinicians investigate the roles of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine in eating because these insights could potentially lead to new treatments for individuals with eating disorders, obesity and stress-induced overeating.
Some medications that moderate the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine inside our systems are occasionally used to help normalize appetite in those who suffer from them.
What to Do About Neurotransmitter Imbalance
Proper levels of serotonin and norepinephrine are essential for maintaining a functional appetite, and overall health. Let me raise the curtain in 6 ways we can enhance the production of neurotransmitters only if we support it through our lifestyles and habits.
One is to consume a healthy, balanced diet with loads of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins which can aid in serotonin and norepinephrine production.
The body uses tryptophan to produce serotonin, a hormone that tells your brain when to sleep and wake up; high amounts of certain foods can help regulate this process. In addition to that, exercising regularly helps increase serotonin which raises norepinephrine. Exercise can also elevate mood and help manage stress, thereby preventing the urge to overeat.
Sleep: Sleep deprivation can minimize neurotransmitter levels as everything is being restored while the body & brain recuperates. Not getting enough sleep is associated with a decrease in our serotonin levels which leads to more hunger and cravings for not-so-great foods. Sleep also aids in the recovery of the body from stress; preventing norepinephrine levels from being elevated.
Finally, stress management is essential to balancing norepinephrine levels. It can help to keep our stress lowered and it can be an effective means of keeping the balance of neurotransmitters with activities such as yoga, meditation or even spending time with friends/family.
Conclusion: This is how serotonin and norepinephrine work
Serotonin and norepinephrine, in closingIn conclusion, two extremely important neurotransmitters that influence our appetite are serotonin and norepinephrine.
Serotonin helps to fill us up and signals our brain when we are satisfied and done eating, norepinephrine is the opposite of hunger this one comes from stressful or busy times part of its role is to reduce habitual feeding habits. Their job is to regulate our appetite, and moderate how much we eat so we don´t eat enough to stay healthy but not too much.
When we understand the action of these neurotransmitters, one way to ensure healthy levels is through diet, exercise, sleep and stress management.
When serotonin and norepinephrine work well together, they help keep our body in a state of moderation between the absorption of food and consumption to use energy to keep us feeling balanced, healthy and energetic.
