but for the Grace of God

Homelessness is widely misunderstood. The common politically incorrect term of a homeless person is BUMB. The negative connotation associated with this misconception is that these folks will not engage in a solution that improves their circumstances. It is possible that the misconception about homelessness is most prevalent among the actual folks suffering from homelessness. It is possible that perfectly capable, useful and talented folks get paralyzed by chemical imbalances in their brains.

PROBLEM

Serotonin is popularly thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness. Benefits include the regulation of mood, appetite, and sleep. Serotonin also has some cognitive functions, including memory and learning. Many folks suffer from lower levels of serotonin production. For some, research suggest that alcohol stimulates the serotonin activity in the brain enhancing the effect of alcohol. The first line of evidence implicating serotonin in the development of alcohol abuse was the discovery of a relationship between alcoholism and the levels of serotonin metabolites in the urine and CSF of human alcoholics. For example, the concentrations of the first serotonin degradation product, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, were lower in the CSF of alcoholics than in nonalcoholics of the same age and general health status, an observation suggesting that alcoholics may have reduced serotonin levels in the brain.

Lacking production of other neurotransmitters can also have negative effects. If you are low in epinephrine (adrenaline), your energy may be low. If you are low in dopamine, your pleasure response may be deadened.

SOLUTION

We have all experienced a rise in serotonin at some point.  It is that satisfied feeling we have after a long run, or a large plate of pasta.  It is also that feeling of comfort we get from spending time with close friends, and/or family.  Serotonin can become depleted with chronic stress or anxiety, starvation or a low carbohydrate diet, and inactivity, leaving you feeling depressed, irritable, moody, and exhausted.  Conversely, serotonin is strongly elevated after a long run, or workout, even at moderate intensity levels.

Epinephrine can become depleted with chronic stress or anxiety, leaving you feeling worn out, exhausted, mentally drained, and often depressed. Epinephrine is temporarily elevated when we exercise at very high intensity levels.

Dopamine is the neurochemical that is responsible for sleeping and waking cycles.  While we may not recognize when dopamine is correctly balanced, we certainly know when our sleeping and waking cycles have been disrupted. Dopamine stores can become depleted with chronic stress, or anxiety, and intense trauma, starvation or low carbohydrate diets.  Dopamine can also be affected by serotonin levels, becoming depleted when serotonin is depleted.  Likewise, dopamine levels can be elevated by elevating the serotonin level.  Therefore, performing long duration exercise at moderate intensity can elevate dopamine levels.

Endorphins are the neurochemicals that act as the body’s “natural painkillers”.  Endorphins are responsible for the decrease in physical pain with exercise.  Many runners will attest to the fact that chronic pains seem less noticeable during, and immediately after a run.  Endorphins are also responsible for the ability to disregard, or perhaps not even notice pain, when engaged in a physical activity.  This is why we can run, or play without noticing blisters on our feet, until after the run, or game.  Endorphins can allow us to perform activities that would otherwise be stopped by pain.  Endorphins are also partly responsible for the “runners high” that is often reported by devout runners.  The endorphin response to exercise increases with frequency of the exercise.  Interestingly, substance and alcohol abuse can deplete the endorphin response to exercise.  However, all people, regardless of history, will experience a rise in endorphin levels with exercise of any kind. 

When we are in good shape and working out every day, running well and enjoying the company of good friends, we feel like we can tackle anything life throws our way.