Stress is a reaction to a stimulus that disturbs our physical, mental or spiritual well-being. Stress can be the result of anxiety, changes in relationships, health, finances, work environment, trauma, disease, family issues and so on. While some stress can be productive, negative stress can be damaging to our over-all health. Sudden negative changes such a car accident, war, natural disasters all can be extremely stressful. Chronic stress can stem from and cause dysregulation in the brain’s neurotransmitter balancing act.
While stress can cause many different biological changes and effects on the human body, the purpose of this article is to explain the ingredients of Dr. Fierro’s Stress Defense and how they work on the neurotransmitters of the brain to reduce stress.
The purpose of the product is to stimulate the neurotransmitters that tell the brain to relax.
GABA. GABA or Gamma Amino Benzoic Acid is one of the two main neurotransmitters in the brain. (The other is Glutamate) and is responsible for 90% of all neurotransmission. Stress causes the over activation of Glutamate – the excitatory neurotransmitter. GABA acts as the inhibitory neurotransmitter, balancing the Glutamate levels for the brain to calm down.
How it works: The neurotransmitter receptors of amino acids are split into ionotropic and metabotropic. Ionotropic receptors constitute as transmembrane ion channels that open or close responses to the binding of a ligand (a molecule that can hook two molecules together). The receptors covert the chemical signal of a pre synaptic released neurotransmitter directly and very quickly into a post synaptic electric signal, inducing the inhibitory post synaptic potentials.
GABA therefore prevents the buildup of the stress and anxiety neurotransmitter glutamate.
Inositol is a carbohydrate found in fruits, rice, grains and beans. It works to reduce stress by stimulating serotonin production. Serotonin and GABA are 2 calming neurotransmitters in the brain. Adequate amounts of serotonin’s precursor – inositol, provide more serotonin that promotes calmness, less worry and a stable feeling. Inositol makes serotonin.
Phosphatidyl Serine is a combination of amino acids and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
Phosphatidyl serine helps to reduce cortisol levels by increasing the number of membrane receptors for receiving messages that slow the output of cortisol. It is the buildup of cortisol in stress and anxiety that has deleterious effects on our mind and body. Cortisol is often referred to as the “master hormone.” Elevated cortisol levels can cause high blood pressure, weight gain, hormone imbalance, elevated blood sugar levels and to the point of this paper – stress.
Phosphatidyl Serine also has the ability to increase dopamine production. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps to promote pleasure and the feeling of peace and rest.
5HTP – or 5 –hydroxytryphophan has been used for many years to reduce stress and promote calmness. It has been used to help allow a person to fall asleep better. Derived from the seed pods of the plant Griffonia Simplicifolia, 5HTP is the immediate precursor to the neurotransmitter – Serotonin. Stress and anxiety deplete the brain’s “stores” of serotonin. 5HTP is similar to the prescription medications Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft, but is nonprescription. The prescription drugs belong to a class of drugs called SSR (selective serotonin uptake inhibitors). While 5HTP and the SSR medications both increase the availability of serotonin in the brain, they work in different ways.
SSR medications prevent serotonin from being taken back up into the neurons, leaving more of the neurotransmitter to be available in the synapses (spaces) between neurons. In other words, SSRs allow the brain the reuse the serotonin that is already there. (This constant reuse of the same serotonin molecules is what leads to dependency). 5HTP actually replenishes serotonin levels by synthesis of new serotonin molecules, thus providing new, fresh amounts of serotonin.
L-Theanine – is an amino acid found in green tea and certain bacteria. L-Theanine stimulates the production of GABA, and increases L-Dopamine. What is interesting about L-Theanine is that it stimulates the brain’s “Alpha” waves. These waves relax the brain and lead to calming the body: reducing stress without causing drowsiness.
Why is this product different than other supplements for stress?
No other stress supplement contains these specific neurotransmitters all in one product. Everything else on the market may contain one of these ingredients, but not these specific, researched ingredients.
This is a very high potency combination not seen with any the similar product.
It only takes 2 tablets to get all of the high potency ingredients.