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.
Human Neurotransmitters in Plants
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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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!
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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!
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Welcome back to the Team!
:-)))
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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?
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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!
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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!
;-}
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I agree! :)
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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
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Interesting. Though if the maximum lifespan is somewhere between 120-140, or even 200+ as some believe, why not spend more time figuring out how, instead of addressing the sick.
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Calorie Restriction will probably extend your life with several years
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Awesome.
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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.
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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.
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You’ll probably have to wean yourself off the drugs, but I agree it’ll be better than a lifetime of pill popping.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Watch the FDA try to sanction bananas, lol!
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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?
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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.
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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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