Anxiety

What are Neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters, the body's chemical messengers, play a pivotal role in our behavior and emotions. Acute or chronic stress, whether physical or mental, can disrupt their delicate balance. Our Neurotransmitter Plus Test offers an insightful analysis of key neurotransmitters: GABA, glutamic acid, serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and their ratio, providing a comprehensive look into your mental and emotional health.
GABA: The Calming Neurotransmitter
GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid) acts as the central nervous system's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, crucial for reducing stress responses. It aids in sleep regulation, appetite control, blood pressure, and anxiety reduction. GABA, synthesized from glutamic acid, has a vital role in calming the brain and is available as a supplement for those with low levels.
Glutamic Acid/Glutamate: The Cognitive Enhancer
Glutamic acid, or glutamate, is essential for cognitive functions like learning, memory, and motor skills. As the brain's most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter, it facilitates nerve signal transmission. Prolonged stress can often elevate glutamic acid levels. Besides its neurological role, glutamate is also a common food additive, enhancing flavor in various foods.
Serotonin: Mood and Sleep Regulator
Serotonin significantly impacts mood, sleep, appetite, and blood pressure. It's known for its antidepressant and anxiety-reducing effects, as well as its ability to regulate sleep and appetite. Low levels of serotonin can lead to obesity, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and migraines. Stress affects serotonin production, with levels typically dropping during prolonged stress periods.
Dopamine: The Reward and Motivation Molecule
Dopamine drives motivation, concentration, and cognitive ability. As a critical component of the reward system, it's often referred to as the 'feel-good hormone.' Low dopamine levels are linked to depression, restless legs, and compulsive behaviors. Conversely, high levels can cause memory issues and mood swings. Dopamine imbalances are also associated with addiction.
Adrenaline: The Stress Response Trigger
Produced in the adrenal medulla, adrenaline (epinephrine) boosts mental activity, heart rate, and blood pressure, especially under stress or in threatening situations.
Noradrenaline: Action and Concentration Booster
Noradrenaline (norepinephrine), vital for mobilizing the brain and body for action, increases blood pressure and aids motivation and concentration. It rises with stress and serves as a precursor to adrenaline.
How the Test Works
The Neurotransmitters Plus is a simple, at-home urine test. Just collect your second morning urine in the provided test tube and send it to our ISO-certified lab. You'll receive your digital results promptly after analysis, offering you a detailed view of your neurotransmitter levels.

What is Serotonin?
Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, originates from the essential amino acid tryptophan. It plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including brain activity and gastrointestinal processes. This neurotransmitter not only regulates mood but also ensures smooth digestion. It influences blood circulation by aiding platelet coagulation in wound healing.
Healthy serotonin levels significantly enhance life quality, fostering confidence, emotional stability, and sharp memory and learning abilities.
Serotonin Deficiency
Serotonin production partly relies on tryptophan and gut health, with 90% of it originating in the intestines. Essential vitamins and minerals aid its production, while excessive alcohol, caffeine, and sweeteners can inhibit it. Chronic stress and anxiety also impede the brain's ability to produce sufficient serotonin. Its deficiency can impact both physical and mental health and can manifest in various ways, including moodiness, stress, and depression. If you experience symptoms like anxiety, irritation, depression, fear, sleep difficulties, or digestive issues, you might have low serotonin levels. Extreme cases can lead to suicidal behavior or panic disorders.
Causes of Serotonin Deficiency
Serotonin deficiency arises either from inadequate production or inefficient receptor function. Genetic factors may influence serotonin production, as can dietary intake of tryptophan-rich foods. Sunlight exposure also affects serotonin levels.
Serotonin Overabundance
The body naturally produces serotonin, but medication can sometimes elevate levels excessively, leading to Serotonin Syndrome. This condition's effects vary with serotonin concentration. Mild symptoms include shivering, diarrhea, high blood pressure, excessive sweating, headache, confusion, muscle twitching, insomnia, restlessness, and dilated pupils. In severe cases, it can cause muscle rigidity, fever, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and unconsciousness, and can be fatal if untreated.
Causes of Serotonin Overabundance
Serotonin Syndrome typically results from a drug reaction, often due to increased doses of serotonin-containing medicines or starting new ones. These medicines include migraine and depression treatments, certain illicit drugs, and dietary supplements.
Serotonin and the Gut
About 90% of our serotonin is produced in the gut. Emerging research links gut flora imbalances to conditions like depression, underscoring the importance of maintaining gastrointestinal health for mental well-being.
If you're interested in assessing your gut flora, you can explore our range of gut tests, from basic microbiome analyses to more comprehensive evaluations.
Beyond Serotonin: Diverse Causes of Mental Health Issues
While serotonin imbalance is a well-known factor in mental health, many other conditions can contribute to feelings of unease. These include deficiencies in folic acid and B12, hypothyroidism, heavy metal poisoning, and sleep deprivation, among others. Additionally, less recognized sources such as low blood sugar, chronic candida overgrowth, sensitivity to wheat gluten, and imbalances in essential fatty acids, histamine, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters can significantly impact mental well-being.
Before Taking the Serotonin Test
Taking SSRIs (antidepressants), 5-HTP, or tryptophan will influence your test results. These substances can increase serotonin production or cause it to linger in the blood, impacting the test. To assess your natural serotonin levels without these supplements' effects, avoid taking them for 5-7 days before the test. If you wish to know your level while using these supplements, continue taking them as usual.

DNA Brain Health Test from GetTested
Explore your genetic profile with the DNA Brain Health test from GetTested. This easy-to-perform at-home test, requiring only a saliva sample, provides insights into how your genes affect your mental health. It encompasses memory, cognitive functions, mood swings, and stress management.
Who Is the DNA Test Suitable For?
This test is ideal for anyone wanting to understand how their genetics impact their mental well-being. It is particularly useful for those looking to explore genetic factors behind stress, anxiety, or addictions.
The Testing Process
After collecting your saliva sample at home and sending it back, it takes 6-8 weeks to receive the results. These results provide not only a detailed genetic analysis but also customized recommendations. They help you better understand and manage your mental health.