By Jessica Wilhelm, Director of Wellness
Peoples Rx, Austin’s Wellness Headquarters

Lately, there’s been a lot of discussion about chemical imbalances and their impact on brain health, but what does that really mean? And how do these imbalances affect both our mental and physical well-being?

At the core of this conversation are neurotransmitters—the body’s chemical messengers that help regulate mood, focus, sleep, cravings, and overall brain function. Neurotransmitters send signals between nerve cells in the brain and body to stimulate a response. 

When the stores of certain neurotransmitters are depleted or they are over-excreting (inefficient) and not in the proper ratio with each other, it can lead to issues with:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety/nervousness/restlessness
  • Cravings for carbohydrates and sugar
  • Focus/attention issues
  • Trouble falling and staying asleep

What can contribute to neurotransmitter imbalances? 

⚡ Chronic Stress & Anxiety
🍷 Excess Alcohol or Caffeine Intake
😴 Poor Sleep & Lack of Restorative Recovery
🥗 Nutrient Deficiencies & Food Sensitivities
🚶 Sedentary Lifestyle (Lack of Movement & Exercise)
🧠 Genetics & Past Trauma

The gut also plays a huge role in neurotransmitter production. In fact, nearly 95% of serotonin—one of the body’s primary “feel-good” chemicals—is made in the gut, not the brain! Neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA act as natural calming agents, helping to regulate more stimulating brain chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and glutamate.

When neurotransmitters become overactive, especially histamine, it can set off an internal “alarm system,” leading to increased levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine—a sign that gut imbalances or food sensitivities may be at play.

In summary, Neurotransmitters directly influence how we feel, think, and function. Supporting gut health, stress management, balanced nutrition, and quality sleep are essential to maintaining neurotransmitter balance and overall brain wellness.

Recommendations From our Wellness Experts

DON’T GUESS, TEST – We recommend the following at-home testing kits for deeper insights on your health:

NeuroFocus 2 Test Kit: Measures the full range of neurotransmitter levels.

M2 Food Sensitivities Test: Testing for 96 foods to identify potential food-related contributors to issues like focus, headaches, bloating, fatigue, rashes, joint pain, diarrhea, or IBS.

Diet and Lifestyle Factors that support neurotransmitter production and balance

  • Eating an anti-inflammatory diet, healing the gut with recommended supplements and dietary modification.
  • Reducing stress through lifestyle adjustments and use of supplementation to support the central nervous system. Stress Relief Recommendations: Orthomolecular Products: Adren-All is great for those who feel burned out and have low energy. Cortisol Manager if you feel wired, anxious, and have a hard time falling or staying asleep at night.
  • Sleep: Adults should aim to get at least 7-8 hours while school-aged children (6-13 years) need 9-11 hours of quality sleep. No electronics at least 45 minutes before bedtime.  It suppresses melatonin, our sleep hormone, and increases dopamine, which counteracts our natural sleep rhythm. Sleep aid recommendation: RelaxMax by Xymogen.  Great for kids and adults.
  • Exercise: Incorporate a daily routine of a family walk or other activity for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. In addition to the creation of new neurons, including those that release the calming neurotransmitter GABA, exercise boosts levels of potent brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which may help buffer the effects of stress.
  • Immune system support through a healthy diet, lifestyle and exercise.  Vitamin D is a key nutrient that supports overall immune and brain health.  
  • Avoiding chemicals, pesticides and environmental toxins.  The Environmental Working Group is a great resource for help on how to detoxify your household from toxic substances.

Prioritize: Limit starchy vegetables (e.g. corn and potatoes) and get 3-4 servings of lean protein each day (chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, beans). Make sure to rotate protein sources.  Eat plenty of healthy, whole-food fats like extra virgin olive and coconut oil, avocados, raw walnuts and pumpkin seeds — they help strengthen cellular membranes.

Water.  Drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water each day.   This will ensure you are hydrating, detoxifying and eliminating properly.  

Omega-3 fatty acids. The gut uses them to calm inflammation and rebuild healthy cell walls. Recommended: Xymogen MonoPure 1300.

Vitamin D. May influence the production and release of neurotransmitters. Studies have shown that people with lower vitamin D levels are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. Recommended: D3/K2 liquid by Orthomolecular.

Probiotic. Once your body has patched up the leaks in the gut, you need to help it grow a healthy layer of good bacteria — flora that help protect the GI tract and assist with digestion.  Probiotic therapy rejuvenates and replenishes a microbiome damaged by antibiotics or a poor diet. Recommended: Orthomolecular Orthobiotic.