Human Neurotransmitters in Plants

Human Neurotransmitters in Plants
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The consumption of certain fruits is suggested as a potential treatment for depression, given the presence of psychoactive neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin in many plant foods.

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A strange letter was recently published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, suggesting fruit as a treatment for depression. It starts out talking about how bad the disease is, how abnormally low levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin in the brain may be responsible, how we now have several classes of drugs, such as SSRIs (like Prozac) that may work by boosting serotonin levels—but then, of course, notes how these medications bring with them some serious problems, side effects, etc. And, so, a new therapeutic approach is needed.

How about using high-content sources of serotonin to provide our body with these substances? You know, like plantains, pineapples, bananas, kiwis, plums, and tomatoes. What? Since when do plants have human neurotransmitters? Since forever, I was surprised to learn.

“Animal neurotransmitter substances in plants.” They’ve got all the stuff we do. There’s adrenaline in plants; there’s dopamine, serotonin, melatonin. In fact, there was a recent study trying to figure out which varieties of tomatoes and strawberries had the most. And, there’s actually enough in a serving to enhance levels in our bloodstream.

Humans use serotonin as a neurotransmitter. Plants use serotonin in a protective role—adaptation, flowering, establishing its shape. In fact, the same drugs that we use to affect our psychology can affect a plant’s biology. This is your plant—St. John’s Wort. This is your plant on Prozac, Ritalin, amphetamines.

Okay; so, fine. Bioactive human neurotransmitters in plants—but what’s in it for us? Can fruit really be used to treat depression?

We’ll find out in tomorrow’s video-of-the-day.

To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by Kerry Skinner.

Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.

Image thanks to GerryShaw via Wikimedia

A strange letter was recently published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, suggesting fruit as a treatment for depression. It starts out talking about how bad the disease is, how abnormally low levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin in the brain may be responsible, how we now have several classes of drugs, such as SSRIs (like Prozac) that may work by boosting serotonin levels—but then, of course, notes how these medications bring with them some serious problems, side effects, etc. And, so, a new therapeutic approach is needed.

How about using high-content sources of serotonin to provide our body with these substances? You know, like plantains, pineapples, bananas, kiwis, plums, and tomatoes. What? Since when do plants have human neurotransmitters? Since forever, I was surprised to learn.

“Animal neurotransmitter substances in plants.” They’ve got all the stuff we do. There’s adrenaline in plants; there’s dopamine, serotonin, melatonin. In fact, there was a recent study trying to figure out which varieties of tomatoes and strawberries had the most. And, there’s actually enough in a serving to enhance levels in our bloodstream.

Humans use serotonin as a neurotransmitter. Plants use serotonin in a protective role—adaptation, flowering, establishing its shape. In fact, the same drugs that we use to affect our psychology can affect a plant’s biology. This is your plant—St. John’s Wort. This is your plant on Prozac, Ritalin, amphetamines.

Okay; so, fine. Bioactive human neurotransmitters in plants—but what’s in it for us? Can fruit really be used to treat depression?

We’ll find out in tomorrow’s video-of-the-day.

To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by Kerry Skinner.

Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.

Image thanks to GerryShaw via Wikimedia

Doctor's Note

This is the first video of a four-part series on boosting the serotonin levels in the brain—the so-called “happiness hormone.” That’s what drugs like Prozac do. But, are there more natural ways without so many side effects? In The Wrong Way to Boost Serotonin, I talk about tryptophan supplements. Then, in A Better Way to Boost Serotonin, I dispel the common myth about tryptophan and turkey. And, finally, The Best Way to Boost Serotonin discusses a strategy to maximize the transport of the serotonin precursor across the blood-brain barrier. This whole saga reminds me of the Aspirin Levels in Plant Foods story, and of Power Plants in general. Be sure to check out Improving Mood Through Diet, as well as my full-length Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death presentation (in which this video content is mentioned in the suicide section). I also have many other videos on mood and diet.

For more context, check out my associated blog posts: How To Boost Serotonin Naturally, Saffron vs. Prozac for Depression, and How Probiotics Affect Mental Health.

If you haven’t yet, you can subscribe to my videos for free by clicking here.

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25 responses to “Human Neurotransmitters in Plants”

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  1. This is the first of a four-part video series on boosting the levels in the brain, the so-called “happiness hormone.” That’s what drugs like Prozac do, but are there more natural ways without so many side effects? Tomorrow’s video-of-the-day The Wrong Way to Boost Serotonin will talk about tryptophan supplements. Then A Better Way to Boost Serotonin dispels the common myth about tryptophan and turkey and finally The Best Way to Boost Serotonin discusses a strategy to maximize the transport of the serotonin precursor across the blood-brain barrier. This whole saga reminds me of the Aspirin Levels in Plant Foods story, and of Power Plants in general. Please check out my other videos on Improving Mood Through Diet, as well as my full-length Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death presentation (in which this video content is mentioned in the suicide section). If you haven’t yet, you can subscribe to my videos for free by clicking here. And welcome to volume 10!

    Reply

    1. Fantastic!

      Pineapple vs Prozac

      Of course the concern is if these molecules are broken down in the GI-tract and if they can penetrate the blood-brain barrier.

      Wouldn`t be surprised if nature has a solution for that.

      Michael – this site is very educational!

      Reply

    2. I believe the paper also mentioned fenugreek along with those fruits. Do you suppose it would be good to link this video to the fenugreek heading?

      Reply

  2. Yay! The first of the new DVD! Thank you for making these videos free for us for now. I purchased your very first DVD and can’t wait until I’m able to purchase your entire set.

    I wonder if you realize how many people you’ve helped by presenting science in easy to understand videos. You’ve literally changed my and my boyfriend’s — who was diagnosed with bladder cancer — lives!

    Thank you again!

    Reply

  3. Everyday, comon’ EVERYDAY I am blown away at what you come up with.  I don’t have the time to be the Hunter Gatherer for this information and research, and again I have to say I truly appreciate the time and effort you put forth into this labor of love.  Just fantastic.

    Just look at the powerful impact you are having on the world. Quote from Jo, “You’ve literally changed my and my boyfriend’s — who was diagnosed with bladder cancer — lives!”

    Powerful!  Just like the plants you represent!
    ;-}

    Reply

  4. Awwww…so you’re a tease, Dr.Greger?  :^)

    I remember reading that cherries — I think sour — are good for seratonin, amongst other benefits.
    Mmmm…chocolate cherry vegan icecream!

    Teases wheezus…true to form, I’m sure your teases pleases

    Till tomorrow! :D

    Reply

  7. Oh no! Another cliffhanger! 
    Seriously, this is fascinating information. And will irritate the manufacturers of Prozac to no end. 
    Imagine, feeling down? Have a pineapple-banana smoothie made with soymilk and slurp your depression away. 
    And no nasty side effects either like what comes with Prozac and the other SSRIs.

    Reply

  8. I’m really excited about this thread!  I’m hoping to get off the SSRI I’ve been on for 15 years and thereby lose the 30 lbs that came with it!  Looking forward to the next couple of videos on this!  Thanks Doc.

    Reply

    2. I hope your journey to better health and less drugs has been successful. You might be interested in reading Dr. Breggin’s book, Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal. It is a detailed handbook on the challenges of getting off psychiatric drugs including SSRI’s. He also recommends an approach that has seemed to work for many of his patients. I believe it should be read by anyone who prescribes these drugs or treats patients who are on these drugs.

      Reply

  9. Dr.Gregor,
    Plain and simple!
    YOU ROCK !You are a hero of mine.Thank You for dedicating your life to the truth.
    Your followers love you.<3
    Cindy from Portland.

    Reply

  10. This is confusing, I searched on “Depression” and I get up a list of video’s. I’m watching them in order, and in every video there’s just another cliffhanger, and the next video doesn’t follow the last one.

    Reply

  12. I realize testosterone is not a neurotransmitter, that I know of, but many people have or think they have a lack of testosterone. Are there similar chemicals in plants that can boost human testosterone levels in males?

    Reply

  13. What are your thoughts on the Gut-and-Psychology-Syndrome (GAPS) diet? It claims to be a probiotic and prebiotic diet, but largely animal foods based, and claims to solve or ameliorate many conditions, including autism. Seems entirely anecdotal, and the only study I have found that even mentions GAPS discusses the lead (Pb) concentrations in bone broth.

    Reply

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  15. True, food serotonin does not cross the brain/blood barrier, but can it affect all those neurons we have in the gut, which in turn could dialogue with Master Brain up there, via electric impulsions ? Might it be a way for either the gut or the microbioma to tell the brain it’s made a good choice of food intake ?

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  17. This link reference ” Stürtz M, Cerezo AB, Cantos-Villar E, Garcia-Parrilla MC. Determination of the melatonin content of different varieties of tomatoes ( Lycopersicon esculentum ) and strawberries ( Fragaria ananassa ). Food Chemistry. 2011;127(3):1329-1334. ” doesn’t work

    Reply

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