Re: Low levels of Serotonin

December 27, 2005

Thanks for posting this information. I just don't understand why

serotonin levels are not tested before putting people on

psychotropic drugs. Is serotonin a chemical that changes on a daily

basis? If so, that may be their " legal " explanation. Sharon

>

> I would like to know how they are measuring Serotonin in the brain

or

> body.

>

> john

>

> Serotonin and Aggression: " The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Effect " By

> Cardwell C. Nuckols, PhD

> Louis son's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr.

Hyde

> demonstrates that " good " and " evil " can exist within a single

person.

> As you might remember, Dr. Jekyll ingests a formula and is

> transformed from a mild-mannered English physician into an

> antisocial, violent criminal.

>

> Any formula that interferes with the actions of serotonin in the

> brain can bring about changes that resemble Jekyll's

transformation

> to Hyde. While less dramatic than the Mr. Hyde effect, serotonin

> deficiency can create tendencies toward anxiety, depression, out-

of-

> control impulsivity, and violence toward self and others.

Considering

> our current understanding of neurochemistry, Jekyll's formula may

> well have contained a potent anti-serotonergic drug

(http://www.life-

> enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208).

>

> Researchers have found that violence related to low serotonin

levels

> can be either inner- or outer-directed. P. Placidi and colleagues

> studied 93 individuals suffering from depression. These

researchers

> found that a higher level of aggression was strongly associated

with

> lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-

> HIAA). 5-HIAA is a major metabolite of serotonin. Their data also

> revealed that lower levels of 5-HIAA were found in successful

suicide

> attempters (Placidi, et al., 2001).

>

> A group of Danish scientists measured levels of 5-HIAA in 16 men

> convicted of homicide, 22 men who attempted suicide and 39 healthy

> male controls. The lowest levels of 5-HIAA were found in those men

> who had killed a sexual partner or had attempted suicide (Lidberg,

et

> al., 1985).

>

> Many studies have found that low serotonin levels are linked to

> aggression, alcohol abuse and mental illness. At the National

> Institutes of Health (NIH) Primate Center in Poolesville, Md.,

> researchers Suomi and Higley studied the link between behavior,

> serotonin and environment in rhesus monkeys. They found that 5 to

10

> percent of monkeys in the wild and laboratory populations have

> elevated impulsivity and aggression. These monkeys also have the

> lowest levels of serotonin when compared to the rest of the

> population. In the lab, they're antisocial, inappropriately

> aggressive and will drink to intoxication. In the wild, these

monkeys

> seek out danger. They will make risky leaps between trees that

other

> monkeys would never attempt

> (http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm).

>

> It has been more than one hundred years since son's literary

> masterpiece. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have

created a

> number of pharmacological agents that can produce Jekyll-and-Hyde-

> like changes.

>

> The appetite-suppressors fenfluramine (Pondimin and Ionamin) and

> dexfenfluramine (Redux) both act by depleting serotonin and may

> permanently destroy serotonergic neurons in the brain. Even weight-

> loss diets that are extremely low in fat have caused Hyde-like

> behavior patterns in some people.

>

> Severe irritability and aggression have been attributed to

> cholesterol-lowering medications called " statins "

> (www.americanchiropractor.com/print.asp?articleid=276 & category=4).

> Among the best studied of the " statins " are Lopid, Questran,

Lescol,

> Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol. In another study, patients with low

> cholesterol showed hypersensitivity to detecting anger and sadness

in

> themselves (Penttinen, 1995). Low serotonin levels appear to be

> involved.

>

> The relationship between alcohol, depression, and violence is well

> known. A high proportion of suicide victims are found to have been

> drinking heavily at the time of their death. Similarly,

perpetrators

> of violent crimes are often intoxicated when they commit a crime

> (Murdoch, et al., 1990).

>

> In animal studies, some drugs that decrease serotonin activity

> increase alcohol consumption. When animals are given drugs that

> enhance serotonin activity (serotonin, tryptophan, 5-HTP or an

SSRI),

> they drink less alcohol. Rats that have been bred to prefer

drinking

> alcohol to water have been found to have reduced serotonin

activity

> compared with normal rats (Pihl, et al., 1993).

>

> Human studies have consistently demonstrated reduced alcohol

intake

> among various groups, including social drinkers and alcohol-

dependent

> males, taking SSRIs (Pihl, et al., 1993). Alcoholics have also

been

> shown to have reduced serotonin activity as indicated by low

levels

> of 5-HIAA (LeMarquand, et al., 1994). As alcoholics progress in

their

> illness, they become less able to control their emotions and

physical

> actions.

>

> Pihl, et al., state that people with low serotonin are likely " to

> appear depressed and aggressive, more driven by appetites (more

> motivated by food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse), and more

> impulsive (less able to control behavior) in the face of threat. "

> They may also be more likely to use aggression to achieve rewards.

> Specifically with regard to alcohol, decreased serotonin may lead

to

> an inability to terminate drinking once started. And if a person

with

> low serotonin levels starts drinking, they likely will exhibit an

> increase in aggressive behavior.

>

> In some people and in some situations medications that can enhance

> life can also create unhealthy dispositions. In every situation,

risk

> must be measured versus benefit. Because of the serotonergic

lowering

> effects caused by such drugs as the " statins " , for some the risks

> outweigh the benefits. Mr. Hyde-like problems make there use

> untenable. In the case of Redux and fenfluramine (the " fen " in fen-

> phen), both drugs have been removed from the market in great part

due

> to the underlying anti-serotonergic effects. The actions of

serotonin

> in the brain are not extremely well understood. What does seem

clear

> is that alterations of serotonin levels can have far-reaching

> cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact.

>

> Cardwell C. Nuckols, MA, PhD (cnuckols@e...) is President of

> Cardwell C. Nuckols and Associates, LLC, a national and

international

> training and consulting

> organization.

>

> Reference

>

> http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm

> http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> articleid=276 & category=4

> http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208

> Lidberg, L., Tuck, J., Asberg, M., Scalia-Tomba, G., Bertilsson,

L.

> Homicide, suicide and CSF 5-HIAA. Acta Psychiatr Scand.

1985;71:230-

> 236.

> Murdoch D, Pihl R, Ross D. Alcohol and crimes of violence: present

> issues. Int J Addict. 1990;25:1065-1081.

> Penttinen J. Hypothesis: low serum cholesterol, suicide, and

> interleukin-2. Am. J Epidemiol. 1995;141:716-718.

> Pihl R, J. Alcohol, serotonin and aggression. Alcohol

Health

> Res World. 1993;17:113-117.

> Placidi, G. P., M. A. Oquendo, K. M. Malone, Y. Y. Huang, S. P.

> Ellis, and J. J. Mann, Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 50, No. 10,

> November 15, 2001, 783-91.

>

> FAIR USE NOTICE

>

> This email contains copyrighted material the use of which has not

> always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I am

> making such material available in my efforts to advance

understanding

> of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy,

> scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

>

> I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted

> material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

In

> accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this

> email is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a

> prior interest in receiving the included information

> for research and educational purposes. For more information go to:

> http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

> If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for

purposes

> of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission

> from the copyright owner.

> _______________________________________________

>

December 27, 2005

Thanks for posting this information. I just don't understand why

serotonin levels are not tested before putting people on

psychotropic drugs. Is serotonin a chemical that changes on a daily

basis? If so, that may be their " legal " explanation. Sharon

>

> I would like to know how they are measuring Serotonin in the brain

or

> body.

>

> john

>

> Serotonin and Aggression: " The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Effect " By

> Cardwell C. Nuckols, PhD

> Louis son's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr.

Hyde

> demonstrates that " good " and " evil " can exist within a single

person.

> As you might remember, Dr. Jekyll ingests a formula and is

> transformed from a mild-mannered English physician into an

> antisocial, violent criminal.

>

> Any formula that interferes with the actions of serotonin in the

> brain can bring about changes that resemble Jekyll's

transformation

> to Hyde. While less dramatic than the Mr. Hyde effect, serotonin

> deficiency can create tendencies toward anxiety, depression, out-

of-

> control impulsivity, and violence toward self and others.

Considering

> our current understanding of neurochemistry, Jekyll's formula may

> well have contained a potent anti-serotonergic drug

(http://www.life-

> enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208).

>

> Researchers have found that violence related to low serotonin

levels

> can be either inner- or outer-directed. P. Placidi and colleagues

> studied 93 individuals suffering from depression. These

researchers

> found that a higher level of aggression was strongly associated

with

> lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-

> HIAA). 5-HIAA is a major metabolite of serotonin. Their data also

> revealed that lower levels of 5-HIAA were found in successful

suicide

> attempters (Placidi, et al., 2001).

>

> A group of Danish scientists measured levels of 5-HIAA in 16 men

> convicted of homicide, 22 men who attempted suicide and 39 healthy

> male controls. The lowest levels of 5-HIAA were found in those men

> who had killed a sexual partner or had attempted suicide (Lidberg,

et

> al., 1985).

>

> Many studies have found that low serotonin levels are linked to

> aggression, alcohol abuse and mental illness. At the National

> Institutes of Health (NIH) Primate Center in Poolesville, Md.,

> researchers Suomi and Higley studied the link between behavior,

> serotonin and environment in rhesus monkeys. They found that 5 to

10

> percent of monkeys in the wild and laboratory populations have

> elevated impulsivity and aggression. These monkeys also have the

> lowest levels of serotonin when compared to the rest of the

> population. In the lab, they're antisocial, inappropriately

> aggressive and will drink to intoxication. In the wild, these

monkeys

> seek out danger. They will make risky leaps between trees that

other

> monkeys would never attempt

> (http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm).

>

> It has been more than one hundred years since son's literary

> masterpiece. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have

created a

> number of pharmacological agents that can produce Jekyll-and-Hyde-

> like changes.

>

> The appetite-suppressors fenfluramine (Pondimin and Ionamin) and

> dexfenfluramine (Redux) both act by depleting serotonin and may

> permanently destroy serotonergic neurons in the brain. Even weight-

> loss diets that are extremely low in fat have caused Hyde-like

> behavior patterns in some people.

>

> Severe irritability and aggression have been attributed to

> cholesterol-lowering medications called " statins "

> (www.americanchiropractor.com/print.asp?articleid=276 & category=4).

> Among the best studied of the " statins " are Lopid, Questran,

Lescol,

> Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol. In another study, patients with low

> cholesterol showed hypersensitivity to detecting anger and sadness

in

> themselves (Penttinen, 1995). Low serotonin levels appear to be

> involved.

>

> The relationship between alcohol, depression, and violence is well

> known. A high proportion of suicide victims are found to have been

> drinking heavily at the time of their death. Similarly,

perpetrators

> of violent crimes are often intoxicated when they commit a crime

> (Murdoch, et al., 1990).

>

> In animal studies, some drugs that decrease serotonin activity

> increase alcohol consumption. When animals are given drugs that

> enhance serotonin activity (serotonin, tryptophan, 5-HTP or an

SSRI),

> they drink less alcohol. Rats that have been bred to prefer

drinking

> alcohol to water have been found to have reduced serotonin

activity

> compared with normal rats (Pihl, et al., 1993).

>

> Human studies have consistently demonstrated reduced alcohol

intake

> among various groups, including social drinkers and alcohol-

dependent

> males, taking SSRIs (Pihl, et al., 1993). Alcoholics have also

been

> shown to have reduced serotonin activity as indicated by low

levels

> of 5-HIAA (LeMarquand, et al., 1994). As alcoholics progress in

their

> illness, they become less able to control their emotions and

physical

> actions.

>

> Pihl, et al., state that people with low serotonin are likely " to

> appear depressed and aggressive, more driven by appetites (more

> motivated by food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse), and more

> impulsive (less able to control behavior) in the face of threat. "

> They may also be more likely to use aggression to achieve rewards.

> Specifically with regard to alcohol, decreased serotonin may lead

to

> an inability to terminate drinking once started. And if a person

with

> low serotonin levels starts drinking, they likely will exhibit an

> increase in aggressive behavior.

>

> In some people and in some situations medications that can enhance

> life can also create unhealthy dispositions. In every situation,

risk

> must be measured versus benefit. Because of the serotonergic

lowering

> effects caused by such drugs as the " statins " , for some the risks

> outweigh the benefits. Mr. Hyde-like problems make there use

> untenable. In the case of Redux and fenfluramine (the " fen " in fen-

> phen), both drugs have been removed from the market in great part

due

> to the underlying anti-serotonergic effects. The actions of

serotonin

> in the brain are not extremely well understood. What does seem

clear

> is that alterations of serotonin levels can have far-reaching

> cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact.

>

> Cardwell C. Nuckols, MA, PhD (cnuckols@e...) is President of

> Cardwell C. Nuckols and Associates, LLC, a national and

international

> training and consulting

> organization.

>

> Reference

>

> http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm

> http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> articleid=276 & category=4

> http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208

> Lidberg, L., Tuck, J., Asberg, M., Scalia-Tomba, G., Bertilsson,

L.

> Homicide, suicide and CSF 5-HIAA. Acta Psychiatr Scand.

1985;71:230-

> 236.

> Murdoch D, Pihl R, Ross D. Alcohol and crimes of violence: present

> issues. Int J Addict. 1990;25:1065-1081.

> Penttinen J. Hypothesis: low serum cholesterol, suicide, and

> interleukin-2. Am. J Epidemiol. 1995;141:716-718.

> Pihl R, J. Alcohol, serotonin and aggression. Alcohol

Health

> Res World. 1993;17:113-117.

> Placidi, G. P., M. A. Oquendo, K. M. Malone, Y. Y. Huang, S. P.

> Ellis, and J. J. Mann, Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 50, No. 10,

> November 15, 2001, 783-91.

>

> FAIR USE NOTICE

>

> This email contains copyrighted material the use of which has not

> always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I am

> making such material available in my efforts to advance

understanding

> of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy,

> scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

>

> I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted

> material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

In

> accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this

> email is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a

> prior interest in receiving the included information

> for research and educational purposes. For more information go to:

> http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

> If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for

purposes

> of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission

> from the copyright owner.

> _______________________________________________

>

December 27, 2005

there is no " blood " test for serotonin. Brain serotonin(which is what

ssri's alter) is only measureable with a brain sample.. not something

you can do to a live person.

> >

> > I would like to know how they are measuring Serotonin in the

brain

> or

> > body.

> >

> > john

> >

> > Serotonin and Aggression: " The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Effect " By

> > Cardwell C. Nuckols, PhD

> > Louis son's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr.

> Hyde

> > demonstrates that " good " and " evil " can exist within a single

> person.

> > As you might remember, Dr. Jekyll ingests a formula and is

> > transformed from a mild-mannered English physician into an

> > antisocial, violent criminal.

> >

> > Any formula that interferes with the actions of serotonin in the

> > brain can bring about changes that resemble Jekyll's

> transformation

> > to Hyde. While less dramatic than the Mr. Hyde effect, serotonin

> > deficiency can create tendencies toward anxiety, depression, out-

> of-

> > control impulsivity, and violence toward self and others.

> Considering

> > our current understanding of neurochemistry, Jekyll's formula may

> > well have contained a potent anti-serotonergic drug

> (http://www.life-

> > enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208).

> >

> > Researchers have found that violence related to low serotonin

> levels

> > can be either inner- or outer-directed. P. Placidi and colleagues

> > studied 93 individuals suffering from depression. These

> researchers

> > found that a higher level of aggression was strongly associated

> with

> > lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-

> > HIAA). 5-HIAA is a major metabolite of serotonin. Their data also

> > revealed that lower levels of 5-HIAA were found in successful

> suicide

> > attempters (Placidi, et al., 2001).

> >

> > A group of Danish scientists measured levels of 5-HIAA in 16 men

> > convicted of homicide, 22 men who attempted suicide and 39

healthy

> > male controls. The lowest levels of 5-HIAA were found in those

men

> > who had killed a sexual partner or had attempted suicide

(Lidberg,

> et

> > al., 1985).

> >

> > Many studies have found that low serotonin levels are linked to

> > aggression, alcohol abuse and mental illness. At the National

> > Institutes of Health (NIH) Primate Center in Poolesville, Md.,

> > researchers Suomi and Higley studied the link between behavior,

> > serotonin and environment in rhesus monkeys. They found that 5 to

> 10

> > percent of monkeys in the wild and laboratory populations have

> > elevated impulsivity and aggression. These monkeys also have the

> > lowest levels of serotonin when compared to the rest of the

> > population. In the lab, they're antisocial, inappropriately

> > aggressive and will drink to intoxication. In the wild, these

> monkeys

> > seek out danger. They will make risky leaps between trees that

> other

> > monkeys would never attempt

> > (http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm).

> >

> > It has been more than one hundred years since son's

literary

> > masterpiece. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have

> created a

> > number of pharmacological agents that can produce Jekyll-and-Hyde-

> > like changes.

> >

> > The appetite-suppressors fenfluramine (Pondimin and Ionamin) and

> > dexfenfluramine (Redux) both act by depleting serotonin and may

> > permanently destroy serotonergic neurons in the brain. Even

weight-

> > loss diets that are extremely low in fat have caused Hyde-like

> > behavior patterns in some people.

> >

> > Severe irritability and aggression have been attributed to

> > cholesterol-lowering medications called " statins "

> > (www.americanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

articleid=276 & category=4).

> > Among the best studied of the " statins " are Lopid, Questran,

> Lescol,

> > Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol. In another study, patients with low

> > cholesterol showed hypersensitivity to detecting anger and

sadness

> in

> > themselves (Penttinen, 1995). Low serotonin levels appear to be

> > involved.

> >

> > The relationship between alcohol, depression, and violence is

well

> > known. A high proportion of suicide victims are found to have

been

> > drinking heavily at the time of their death. Similarly,

> perpetrators

> > of violent crimes are often intoxicated when they commit a crime

> > (Murdoch, et al., 1990).

> >

> > In animal studies, some drugs that decrease serotonin activity

> > increase alcohol consumption. When animals are given drugs that

> > enhance serotonin activity (serotonin, tryptophan, 5-HTP or an

> SSRI),

> > they drink less alcohol. Rats that have been bred to prefer

> drinking

> > alcohol to water have been found to have reduced serotonin

> activity

> > compared with normal rats (Pihl, et al., 1993).

> >

> > Human studies have consistently demonstrated reduced alcohol

> intake

> > among various groups, including social drinkers and alcohol-

> dependent

> > males, taking SSRIs (Pihl, et al., 1993). Alcoholics have also

> been

> > shown to have reduced serotonin activity as indicated by low

> levels

> > of 5-HIAA (LeMarquand, et al., 1994). As alcoholics progress in

> their

> > illness, they become less able to control their emotions and

> physical

> > actions.

> >

> > Pihl, et al., state that people with low serotonin are likely " to

> > appear depressed and aggressive, more driven by appetites (more

> > motivated by food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse), and more

> > impulsive (less able to control behavior) in the face of threat. "

> > They may also be more likely to use aggression to achieve

rewards.

> > Specifically with regard to alcohol, decreased serotonin may lead

> to

> > an inability to terminate drinking once started. And if a person

> with

> > low serotonin levels starts drinking, they likely will exhibit an

> > increase in aggressive behavior.

> >

> > In some people and in some situations medications that can

enhance

> > life can also create unhealthy dispositions. In every situation,

> risk

> > must be measured versus benefit. Because of the serotonergic

> lowering

> > effects caused by such drugs as the " statins " , for some the risks

> > outweigh the benefits. Mr. Hyde-like problems make there use

> > untenable. In the case of Redux and fenfluramine (the " fen " in

fen-

> > phen), both drugs have been removed from the market in great part

> due

> > to the underlying anti-serotonergic effects. The actions of

> serotonin

> > in the brain are not extremely well understood. What does seem

> clear

> > is that alterations of serotonin levels can have far-reaching

> > cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact.

> >

> > Cardwell C. Nuckols, MA, PhD (cnuckols@e...) is President of

> > Cardwell C. Nuckols and Associates, LLC, a national and

> international

> > training and consulting

> > organization.

> >

> > Reference

> >

> > http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm

> > http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > articleid=276 & category=4

> > http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208

> > Lidberg, L., Tuck, J., Asberg, M., Scalia-Tomba, G., Bertilsson,

> L.

> > Homicide, suicide and CSF 5-HIAA. Acta Psychiatr Scand.

> 1985;71:230-

> > 236.

> > Murdoch D, Pihl R, Ross D. Alcohol and crimes of violence:

present

> > issues. Int J Addict. 1990;25:1065-1081.

> > Penttinen J. Hypothesis: low serum cholesterol, suicide, and

> > interleukin-2. Am. J Epidemiol. 1995;141:716-718.

> > Pihl R, J. Alcohol, serotonin and aggression. Alcohol

> Health

> > Res World. 1993;17:113-117.

> > Placidi, G. P., M. A. Oquendo, K. M. Malone, Y. Y. Huang, S. P.

> > Ellis, and J. J. Mann, Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 50, No. 10,

> > November 15, 2001, 783-91.

> >

> > FAIR USE NOTICE

> >

> > This email contains copyrighted material the use of which has not

> > always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I am

> > making such material available in my efforts to advance

> understanding

> > of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy,

> > scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

> >

> > I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted

> > material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

> In

> > accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this

> > email is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a

> > prior interest in receiving the included information

> > for research and educational purposes. For more information go

to:

> > http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

> > If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for

> purposes

> > of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission

> > from the copyright owner.

> > _______________________________________________

> >

>

December 27, 2005

there is no " blood " test for serotonin. Brain serotonin(which is what

ssri's alter) is only measureable with a brain sample.. not something

you can do to a live person.

> >

> > I would like to know how they are measuring Serotonin in the

brain

> or

> > body.

> >

> > john

> >

> > Serotonin and Aggression: " The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Effect " By

> > Cardwell C. Nuckols, PhD

> > Louis son's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr.

> Hyde

> > demonstrates that " good " and " evil " can exist within a single

> person.

> > As you might remember, Dr. Jekyll ingests a formula and is

> > transformed from a mild-mannered English physician into an

> > antisocial, violent criminal.

> >

> > Any formula that interferes with the actions of serotonin in the

> > brain can bring about changes that resemble Jekyll's

> transformation

> > to Hyde. While less dramatic than the Mr. Hyde effect, serotonin

> > deficiency can create tendencies toward anxiety, depression, out-

> of-

> > control impulsivity, and violence toward self and others.

> Considering

> > our current understanding of neurochemistry, Jekyll's formula may

> > well have contained a potent anti-serotonergic drug

> (http://www.life-

> > enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208).

> >

> > Researchers have found that violence related to low serotonin

> levels

> > can be either inner- or outer-directed. P. Placidi and colleagues

> > studied 93 individuals suffering from depression. These

> researchers

> > found that a higher level of aggression was strongly associated

> with

> > lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-

> > HIAA). 5-HIAA is a major metabolite of serotonin. Their data also

> > revealed that lower levels of 5-HIAA were found in successful

> suicide

> > attempters (Placidi, et al., 2001).

> >

> > A group of Danish scientists measured levels of 5-HIAA in 16 men

> > convicted of homicide, 22 men who attempted suicide and 39

healthy

> > male controls. The lowest levels of 5-HIAA were found in those

men

> > who had killed a sexual partner or had attempted suicide

(Lidberg,

> et

> > al., 1985).

> >

> > Many studies have found that low serotonin levels are linked to

> > aggression, alcohol abuse and mental illness. At the National

> > Institutes of Health (NIH) Primate Center in Poolesville, Md.,

> > researchers Suomi and Higley studied the link between behavior,

> > serotonin and environment in rhesus monkeys. They found that 5 to

> 10

> > percent of monkeys in the wild and laboratory populations have

> > elevated impulsivity and aggression. These monkeys also have the

> > lowest levels of serotonin when compared to the rest of the

> > population. In the lab, they're antisocial, inappropriately

> > aggressive and will drink to intoxication. In the wild, these

> monkeys

> > seek out danger. They will make risky leaps between trees that

> other

> > monkeys would never attempt

> > (http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm).

> >

> > It has been more than one hundred years since son's

literary

> > masterpiece. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have

> created a

> > number of pharmacological agents that can produce Jekyll-and-Hyde-

> > like changes.

> >

> > The appetite-suppressors fenfluramine (Pondimin and Ionamin) and

> > dexfenfluramine (Redux) both act by depleting serotonin and may

> > permanently destroy serotonergic neurons in the brain. Even

weight-

> > loss diets that are extremely low in fat have caused Hyde-like

> > behavior patterns in some people.

> >

> > Severe irritability and aggression have been attributed to

> > cholesterol-lowering medications called " statins "

> > (www.americanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

articleid=276 & category=4).

> > Among the best studied of the " statins " are Lopid, Questran,

> Lescol,

> > Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol. In another study, patients with low

> > cholesterol showed hypersensitivity to detecting anger and

sadness

> in

> > themselves (Penttinen, 1995). Low serotonin levels appear to be

> > involved.

> >

> > The relationship between alcohol, depression, and violence is

well

> > known. A high proportion of suicide victims are found to have

been

> > drinking heavily at the time of their death. Similarly,

> perpetrators

> > of violent crimes are often intoxicated when they commit a crime

> > (Murdoch, et al., 1990).

> >

> > In animal studies, some drugs that decrease serotonin activity

> > increase alcohol consumption. When animals are given drugs that

> > enhance serotonin activity (serotonin, tryptophan, 5-HTP or an

> SSRI),

> > they drink less alcohol. Rats that have been bred to prefer

> drinking

> > alcohol to water have been found to have reduced serotonin

> activity

> > compared with normal rats (Pihl, et al., 1993).

> >

> > Human studies have consistently demonstrated reduced alcohol

> intake

> > among various groups, including social drinkers and alcohol-

> dependent

> > males, taking SSRIs (Pihl, et al., 1993). Alcoholics have also

> been

> > shown to have reduced serotonin activity as indicated by low

> levels

> > of 5-HIAA (LeMarquand, et al., 1994). As alcoholics progress in

> their

> > illness, they become less able to control their emotions and

> physical

> > actions.

> >

> > Pihl, et al., state that people with low serotonin are likely " to

> > appear depressed and aggressive, more driven by appetites (more

> > motivated by food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse), and more

> > impulsive (less able to control behavior) in the face of threat. "

> > They may also be more likely to use aggression to achieve

rewards.

> > Specifically with regard to alcohol, decreased serotonin may lead

> to

> > an inability to terminate drinking once started. And if a person

> with

> > low serotonin levels starts drinking, they likely will exhibit an

> > increase in aggressive behavior.

> >

> > In some people and in some situations medications that can

enhance

> > life can also create unhealthy dispositions. In every situation,

> risk

> > must be measured versus benefit. Because of the serotonergic

> lowering

> > effects caused by such drugs as the " statins " , for some the risks

> > outweigh the benefits. Mr. Hyde-like problems make there use

> > untenable. In the case of Redux and fenfluramine (the " fen " in

fen-

> > phen), both drugs have been removed from the market in great part

> due

> > to the underlying anti-serotonergic effects. The actions of

> serotonin

> > in the brain are not extremely well understood. What does seem

> clear

> > is that alterations of serotonin levels can have far-reaching

> > cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact.

> >

> > Cardwell C. Nuckols, MA, PhD (cnuckols@e...) is President of

> > Cardwell C. Nuckols and Associates, LLC, a national and

> international

> > training and consulting

> > organization.

> >

> > Reference

> >

> > http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm

> > http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > articleid=276 & category=4

> > http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208

> > Lidberg, L., Tuck, J., Asberg, M., Scalia-Tomba, G., Bertilsson,

> L.

> > Homicide, suicide and CSF 5-HIAA. Acta Psychiatr Scand.

> 1985;71:230-

> > 236.

> > Murdoch D, Pihl R, Ross D. Alcohol and crimes of violence:

present

> > issues. Int J Addict. 1990;25:1065-1081.

> > Penttinen J. Hypothesis: low serum cholesterol, suicide, and

> > interleukin-2. Am. J Epidemiol. 1995;141:716-718.

> > Pihl R, J. Alcohol, serotonin and aggression. Alcohol

> Health

> > Res World. 1993;17:113-117.

> > Placidi, G. P., M. A. Oquendo, K. M. Malone, Y. Y. Huang, S. P.

> > Ellis, and J. J. Mann, Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 50, No. 10,

> > November 15, 2001, 783-91.

> >

> > FAIR USE NOTICE

> >

> > This email contains copyrighted material the use of which has not

> > always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I am

> > making such material available in my efforts to advance

> understanding

> > of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy,

> > scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

> >

> > I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted

> > material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

> In

> > accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this

> > email is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a

> > prior interest in receiving the included information

> > for research and educational purposes. For more information go

to:

> > http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

> > If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for

> purposes

> > of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission

> > from the copyright owner.

> > _______________________________________________

> >

>

December 27, 2005

My mother has been seeing a natropathic doctor, and I was sure she

told me the doctor tested her serotonin levels. I'll have to ask

more about this. Sharon

> > >

> > > I would like to know how they are measuring Serotonin in the

> brain

> > or

> > > body.

> > >

> > > john

> > >

> > > Serotonin and Aggression: " The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Effect "

By

> > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, PhD

> > > Louis son's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and

Mr.

> > Hyde

> > > demonstrates that " good " and " evil " can exist within a single

> > person.

> > > As you might remember, Dr. Jekyll ingests a formula and is

> > > transformed from a mild-mannered English physician into an

> > > antisocial, violent criminal.

> > >

> > > Any formula that interferes with the actions of serotonin in

the

> > > brain can bring about changes that resemble Jekyll's

> > transformation

> > > to Hyde. While less dramatic than the Mr. Hyde effect,

serotonin

> > > deficiency can create tendencies toward anxiety, depression,

out-

> > of-

> > > control impulsivity, and violence toward self and others.

> > Considering

> > > our current understanding of neurochemistry, Jekyll's formula

may

> > > well have contained a potent anti-serotonergic drug

> > (http://www.life-

> > > enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208).

> > >

> > > Researchers have found that violence related to low serotonin

> > levels

> > > can be either inner- or outer-directed. P. Placidi and

colleagues

> > > studied 93 individuals suffering from depression. These

> > researchers

> > > found that a higher level of aggression was strongly

associated

> > with

> > > lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid

(5-

> > > HIAA). 5-HIAA is a major metabolite of serotonin. Their data

also

> > > revealed that lower levels of 5-HIAA were found in successful

> > suicide

> > > attempters (Placidi, et al., 2001).

> > >

> > > A group of Danish scientists measured levels of 5-HIAA in 16

men

> > > convicted of homicide, 22 men who attempted suicide and 39

> healthy

> > > male controls. The lowest levels of 5-HIAA were found in those

> men

> > > who had killed a sexual partner or had attempted suicide

> (Lidberg,

> > et

> > > al., 1985).

> > >

> > > Many studies have found that low serotonin levels are linked

to

> > > aggression, alcohol abuse and mental illness. At the National

> > > Institutes of Health (NIH) Primate Center in Poolesville, Md.,

> > > researchers Suomi and Higley studied the link between

behavior,

> > > serotonin and environment in rhesus monkeys. They found that 5

to

> > 10

> > > percent of monkeys in the wild and laboratory populations have

> > > elevated impulsivity and aggression. These monkeys also have

the

> > > lowest levels of serotonin when compared to the rest of the

> > > population. In the lab, they're antisocial, inappropriately

> > > aggressive and will drink to intoxication. In the wild, these

> > monkeys

> > > seek out danger. They will make risky leaps between trees that

> > other

> > > monkeys would never attempt

> > > (http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm).

> > >

> > > It has been more than one hundred years since son's

> literary

> > > masterpiece. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have

> > created a

> > > number of pharmacological agents that can produce Jekyll-and-

Hyde-

> > > like changes.

> > >

> > > The appetite-suppressors fenfluramine (Pondimin and Ionamin)

and

> > > dexfenfluramine (Redux) both act by depleting serotonin and

may

> > > permanently destroy serotonergic neurons in the brain. Even

> weight-

> > > loss diets that are extremely low in fat have caused Hyde-like

> > > behavior patterns in some people.

> > >

> > > Severe irritability and aggression have been attributed to

> > > cholesterol-lowering medications called " statins "

> > > (www.americanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> articleid=276 & category=4).

> > > Among the best studied of the " statins " are Lopid, Questran,

> > Lescol,

> > > Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol. In another study, patients with

low

> > > cholesterol showed hypersensitivity to detecting anger and

> sadness

> > in

> > > themselves (Penttinen, 1995). Low serotonin levels appear to

be

> > > involved.

> > >

> > > The relationship between alcohol, depression, and violence is

> well

> > > known. A high proportion of suicide victims are found to have

> been

> > > drinking heavily at the time of their death. Similarly,

> > perpetrators

> > > of violent crimes are often intoxicated when they commit a

crime

> > > (Murdoch, et al., 1990).

> > >

> > > In animal studies, some drugs that decrease serotonin activity

> > > increase alcohol consumption. When animals are given drugs

that

> > > enhance serotonin activity (serotonin, tryptophan, 5-HTP or an

> > SSRI),

> > > they drink less alcohol. Rats that have been bred to prefer

> > drinking

> > > alcohol to water have been found to have reduced serotonin

> > activity

> > > compared with normal rats (Pihl, et al., 1993).

> > >

> > > Human studies have consistently demonstrated reduced alcohol

> > intake

> > > among various groups, including social drinkers and alcohol-

> > dependent

> > > males, taking SSRIs (Pihl, et al., 1993). Alcoholics have also

> > been

> > > shown to have reduced serotonin activity as indicated by low

> > levels

> > > of 5-HIAA (LeMarquand, et al., 1994). As alcoholics progress

in

> > their

> > > illness, they become less able to control their emotions and

> > physical

> > > actions.

> > >

> > > Pihl, et al., state that people with low serotonin are

likely " to

> > > appear depressed and aggressive, more driven by appetites

(more

> > > motivated by food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse), and more

> > > impulsive (less able to control behavior) in the face of

threat. "

> > > They may also be more likely to use aggression to achieve

> rewards.

> > > Specifically with regard to alcohol, decreased serotonin may

lead

> > to

> > > an inability to terminate drinking once started. And if a

person

> > with

> > > low serotonin levels starts drinking, they likely will exhibit

an

> > > increase in aggressive behavior.

> > >

> > > In some people and in some situations medications that can

> enhance

> > > life can also create unhealthy dispositions. In every

situation,

> > risk

> > > must be measured versus benefit. Because of the serotonergic

> > lowering

> > > effects caused by such drugs as the " statins " , for some the

risks

> > > outweigh the benefits. Mr. Hyde-like problems make there use

> > > untenable. In the case of Redux and fenfluramine (the " fen " in

> fen-

> > > phen), both drugs have been removed from the market in great

part

> > due

> > > to the underlying anti-serotonergic effects. The actions of

> > serotonin

> > > in the brain are not extremely well understood. What does seem

> > clear

> > > is that alterations of serotonin levels can have far-reaching

> > > cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact.

> > >

> > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, MA, PhD (cnuckols@e...) is President of

> > > Cardwell C. Nuckols and Associates, LLC, a national and

> > international

> > > training and consulting

> > > organization.

> > >

> > > Reference

> > >

> > > http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm

> > > http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > articleid=276 & category=4

> > > http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208

> > > Lidberg, L., Tuck, J., Asberg, M., Scalia-Tomba, G.,

Bertilsson,

> > L.

> > > Homicide, suicide and CSF 5-HIAA. Acta Psychiatr Scand.

> > 1985;71:230-

> > > 236.

> > > Murdoch D, Pihl R, Ross D. Alcohol and crimes of violence:

> present

> > > issues. Int J Addict. 1990;25:1065-1081.

> > > Penttinen J. Hypothesis: low serum cholesterol, suicide, and

> > > interleukin-2. Am. J Epidemiol. 1995;141:716-718.

> > > Pihl R, J. Alcohol, serotonin and aggression. Alcohol

> > Health

> > > Res World. 1993;17:113-117.

> > > Placidi, G. P., M. A. Oquendo, K. M. Malone, Y. Y. Huang, S.

P.

> > > Ellis, and J. J. Mann, Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 50, No. 10,

> > > November 15, 2001, 783-91.

> > >

> > > FAIR USE NOTICE

> > >

> > > This email contains copyrighted material the use of which has

not

> > > always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I

am

> > > making such material available in my efforts to advance

> > understanding

> > > of environmental, political, human rights, economic,

democracy,

> > > scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

> > >

> > > I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such

copyrighted

> > > material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

Law.

> > In

> > > accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in

this

> > > email is distributed without profit to those who have

expressed a

> > > prior interest in receiving the included information

> > > for research and educational purposes. For more information go

> to:

> > > http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

> > > If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for

> > purposes

> > > of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain

permission

> > > from the copyright owner.

> > > _______________________________________________

> > >

> >

>

December 27, 2005

My mother has been seeing a natropathic doctor, and I was sure she

told me the doctor tested her serotonin levels. I'll have to ask

more about this. Sharon

> > >

> > > I would like to know how they are measuring Serotonin in the

> brain

> > or

> > > body.

> > >

> > > john

> > >

> > > Serotonin and Aggression: " The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Effect "

By

> > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, PhD

> > > Louis son's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and

Mr.

> > Hyde

> > > demonstrates that " good " and " evil " can exist within a single

> > person.

> > > As you might remember, Dr. Jekyll ingests a formula and is

> > > transformed from a mild-mannered English physician into an

> > > antisocial, violent criminal.

> > >

> > > Any formula that interferes with the actions of serotonin in

the

> > > brain can bring about changes that resemble Jekyll's

> > transformation

> > > to Hyde. While less dramatic than the Mr. Hyde effect,

serotonin

> > > deficiency can create tendencies toward anxiety, depression,

out-

> > of-

> > > control impulsivity, and violence toward self and others.

> > Considering

> > > our current understanding of neurochemistry, Jekyll's formula

may

> > > well have contained a potent anti-serotonergic drug

> > (http://www.life-

> > > enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208).

> > >

> > > Researchers have found that violence related to low serotonin

> > levels

> > > can be either inner- or outer-directed. P. Placidi and

colleagues

> > > studied 93 individuals suffering from depression. These

> > researchers

> > > found that a higher level of aggression was strongly

associated

> > with

> > > lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid

(5-

> > > HIAA). 5-HIAA is a major metabolite of serotonin. Their data

also

> > > revealed that lower levels of 5-HIAA were found in successful

> > suicide

> > > attempters (Placidi, et al., 2001).

> > >

> > > A group of Danish scientists measured levels of 5-HIAA in 16

men

> > > convicted of homicide, 22 men who attempted suicide and 39

> healthy

> > > male controls. The lowest levels of 5-HIAA were found in those

> men

> > > who had killed a sexual partner or had attempted suicide

> (Lidberg,

> > et

> > > al., 1985).

> > >

> > > Many studies have found that low serotonin levels are linked

to

> > > aggression, alcohol abuse and mental illness. At the National

> > > Institutes of Health (NIH) Primate Center in Poolesville, Md.,

> > > researchers Suomi and Higley studied the link between

behavior,

> > > serotonin and environment in rhesus monkeys. They found that 5

to

> > 10

> > > percent of monkeys in the wild and laboratory populations have

> > > elevated impulsivity and aggression. These monkeys also have

the

> > > lowest levels of serotonin when compared to the rest of the

> > > population. In the lab, they're antisocial, inappropriately

> > > aggressive and will drink to intoxication. In the wild, these

> > monkeys

> > > seek out danger. They will make risky leaps between trees that

> > other

> > > monkeys would never attempt

> > > (http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm).

> > >

> > > It has been more than one hundred years since son's

> literary

> > > masterpiece. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have

> > created a

> > > number of pharmacological agents that can produce Jekyll-and-

Hyde-

> > > like changes.

> > >

> > > The appetite-suppressors fenfluramine (Pondimin and Ionamin)

and

> > > dexfenfluramine (Redux) both act by depleting serotonin and

may

> > > permanently destroy serotonergic neurons in the brain. Even

> weight-

> > > loss diets that are extremely low in fat have caused Hyde-like

> > > behavior patterns in some people.

> > >

> > > Severe irritability and aggression have been attributed to

> > > cholesterol-lowering medications called " statins "

> > > (www.americanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> articleid=276 & category=4).

> > > Among the best studied of the " statins " are Lopid, Questran,

> > Lescol,

> > > Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol. In another study, patients with

low

> > > cholesterol showed hypersensitivity to detecting anger and

> sadness

> > in

> > > themselves (Penttinen, 1995). Low serotonin levels appear to

be

> > > involved.

> > >

> > > The relationship between alcohol, depression, and violence is

> well

> > > known. A high proportion of suicide victims are found to have

> been

> > > drinking heavily at the time of their death. Similarly,

> > perpetrators

> > > of violent crimes are often intoxicated when they commit a

crime

> > > (Murdoch, et al., 1990).

> > >

> > > In animal studies, some drugs that decrease serotonin activity

> > > increase alcohol consumption. When animals are given drugs

that

> > > enhance serotonin activity (serotonin, tryptophan, 5-HTP or an

> > SSRI),

> > > they drink less alcohol. Rats that have been bred to prefer

> > drinking

> > > alcohol to water have been found to have reduced serotonin

> > activity

> > > compared with normal rats (Pihl, et al., 1993).

> > >

> > > Human studies have consistently demonstrated reduced alcohol

> > intake

> > > among various groups, including social drinkers and alcohol-

> > dependent

> > > males, taking SSRIs (Pihl, et al., 1993). Alcoholics have also

> > been

> > > shown to have reduced serotonin activity as indicated by low

> > levels

> > > of 5-HIAA (LeMarquand, et al., 1994). As alcoholics progress

in

> > their

> > > illness, they become less able to control their emotions and

> > physical

> > > actions.

> > >

> > > Pihl, et al., state that people with low serotonin are

likely " to

> > > appear depressed and aggressive, more driven by appetites

(more

> > > motivated by food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse), and more

> > > impulsive (less able to control behavior) in the face of

threat. "

> > > They may also be more likely to use aggression to achieve

> rewards.

> > > Specifically with regard to alcohol, decreased serotonin may

lead

> > to

> > > an inability to terminate drinking once started. And if a

person

> > with

> > > low serotonin levels starts drinking, they likely will exhibit

an

> > > increase in aggressive behavior.

> > >

> > > In some people and in some situations medications that can

> enhance

> > > life can also create unhealthy dispositions. In every

situation,

> > risk

> > > must be measured versus benefit. Because of the serotonergic

> > lowering

> > > effects caused by such drugs as the " statins " , for some the

risks

> > > outweigh the benefits. Mr. Hyde-like problems make there use

> > > untenable. In the case of Redux and fenfluramine (the " fen " in

> fen-

> > > phen), both drugs have been removed from the market in great

part

> > due

> > > to the underlying anti-serotonergic effects. The actions of

> > serotonin

> > > in the brain are not extremely well understood. What does seem

> > clear

> > > is that alterations of serotonin levels can have far-reaching

> > > cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact.

> > >

> > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, MA, PhD (cnuckols@e...) is President of

> > > Cardwell C. Nuckols and Associates, LLC, a national and

> > international

> > > training and consulting

> > > organization.

> > >

> > > Reference

> > >

> > > http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm

> > > http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > articleid=276 & category=4

> > > http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208

> > > Lidberg, L., Tuck, J., Asberg, M., Scalia-Tomba, G.,

Bertilsson,

> > L.

> > > Homicide, suicide and CSF 5-HIAA. Acta Psychiatr Scand.

> > 1985;71:230-

> > > 236.

> > > Murdoch D, Pihl R, Ross D. Alcohol and crimes of violence:

> present

> > > issues. Int J Addict. 1990;25:1065-1081.

> > > Penttinen J. Hypothesis: low serum cholesterol, suicide, and

> > > interleukin-2. Am. J Epidemiol. 1995;141:716-718.

> > > Pihl R, J. Alcohol, serotonin and aggression. Alcohol

> > Health

> > > Res World. 1993;17:113-117.

> > > Placidi, G. P., M. A. Oquendo, K. M. Malone, Y. Y. Huang, S.

P.

> > > Ellis, and J. J. Mann, Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 50, No. 10,

> > > November 15, 2001, 783-91.

> > >

> > > FAIR USE NOTICE

> > >

> > > This email contains copyrighted material the use of which has

not

> > > always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I

am

> > > making such material available in my efforts to advance

> > understanding

> > > of environmental, political, human rights, economic,

democracy,

> > > scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

> > >

> > > I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such

copyrighted

> > > material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

Law.

> > In

> > > accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in

this

> > > email is distributed without profit to those who have

expressed a

> > > prior interest in receiving the included information

> > > for research and educational purposes. For more information go

> to:

> > > http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

> > > If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for

> > purposes

> > > of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain

permission

> > > from the copyright owner.

> > > _______________________________________________

> > >

> >

>

December 27, 2005

I'm positive I remember people on a depression board discussion

serotonin testing. Is there more than one type of serotonin test?

Perhaps this is the test my mother had:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003562.htm

http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003562.htm

I'll have to ask the next time I talk to her to be sure.

> > > >

> > > > I would like to know how they are measuring Serotonin in the

> > brain

> > > or

> > > > body.

> > > >

> > > > john

> > > >

> > > > Serotonin and Aggression: " The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Effect "

> By

> > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, PhD

> > > > Louis son's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and

> Mr.

> > > Hyde

> > > > demonstrates that " good " and " evil " can exist within a

single

> > > person.

> > > > As you might remember, Dr. Jekyll ingests a formula and is

> > > > transformed from a mild-mannered English physician into an

> > > > antisocial, violent criminal.

> > > >

> > > > Any formula that interferes with the actions of serotonin in

> the

> > > > brain can bring about changes that resemble Jekyll's

> > > transformation

> > > > to Hyde. While less dramatic than the Mr. Hyde effect,

> serotonin

> > > > deficiency can create tendencies toward anxiety, depression,

> out-

> > > of-

> > > > control impulsivity, and violence toward self and others.

> > > Considering

> > > > our current understanding of neurochemistry, Jekyll's

formula

> may

> > > > well have contained a potent anti-serotonergic drug

> > > (http://www.life-

> > > > enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208).

> > > >

> > > > Researchers have found that violence related to low

serotonin

> > > levels

> > > > can be either inner- or outer-directed. P. Placidi and

> colleagues

> > > > studied 93 individuals suffering from depression. These

> > > researchers

> > > > found that a higher level of aggression was strongly

> associated

> > > with

> > > > lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic

acid

> (5-

> > > > HIAA). 5-HIAA is a major metabolite of serotonin. Their data

> also

> > > > revealed that lower levels of 5-HIAA were found in

successful

> > > suicide

> > > > attempters (Placidi, et al., 2001).

> > > >

> > > > A group of Danish scientists measured levels of 5-HIAA in 16

> men

> > > > convicted of homicide, 22 men who attempted suicide and 39

> > healthy

> > > > male controls. The lowest levels of 5-HIAA were found in

those

> > men

> > > > who had killed a sexual partner or had attempted suicide

> > (Lidberg,

> > > et

> > > > al., 1985).

> > > >

> > > > Many studies have found that low serotonin levels are linked

> to

> > > > aggression, alcohol abuse and mental illness. At the

National

> > > > Institutes of Health (NIH) Primate Center in Poolesville,

Md.,

> > > > researchers Suomi and Higley studied the link between

> behavior,

> > > > serotonin and environment in rhesus monkeys. They found that

5

> to

> > > 10

> > > > percent of monkeys in the wild and laboratory populations

have

> > > > elevated impulsivity and aggression. These monkeys also have

> the

> > > > lowest levels of serotonin when compared to the rest of the

> > > > population. In the lab, they're antisocial, inappropriately

> > > > aggressive and will drink to intoxication. In the wild,

these

> > > monkeys

> > > > seek out danger. They will make risky leaps between trees

that

> > > other

> > > > monkeys would never attempt

> > > > (http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm).

> > > >

> > > > It has been more than one hundred years since son's

> > literary

> > > > masterpiece. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have

> > > created a

> > > > number of pharmacological agents that can produce Jekyll-and-

> Hyde-

> > > > like changes.

> > > >

> > > > The appetite-suppressors fenfluramine (Pondimin and Ionamin)

> and

> > > > dexfenfluramine (Redux) both act by depleting serotonin and

> may

> > > > permanently destroy serotonergic neurons in the brain. Even

> > weight-

> > > > loss diets that are extremely low in fat have caused Hyde-

like

> > > > behavior patterns in some people.

> > > >

> > > > Severe irritability and aggression have been attributed to

> > > > cholesterol-lowering medications called " statins "

> > > > (www.americanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > articleid=276 & category=4).

> > > > Among the best studied of the " statins " are Lopid, Questran,

> > > Lescol,

> > > > Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol. In another study, patients

with

> low

> > > > cholesterol showed hypersensitivity to detecting anger and

> > sadness

> > > in

> > > > themselves (Penttinen, 1995). Low serotonin levels appear to

> be

> > > > involved.

> > > >

> > > > The relationship between alcohol, depression, and violence

is

> > well

> > > > known. A high proportion of suicide victims are found to

have

> > been

> > > > drinking heavily at the time of their death. Similarly,

> > > perpetrators

> > > > of violent crimes are often intoxicated when they commit a

> crime

> > > > (Murdoch, et al., 1990).

> > > >

> > > > In animal studies, some drugs that decrease serotonin

activity

> > > > increase alcohol consumption. When animals are given drugs

> that

> > > > enhance serotonin activity (serotonin, tryptophan, 5-HTP or

an

> > > SSRI),

> > > > they drink less alcohol. Rats that have been bred to prefer

> > > drinking

> > > > alcohol to water have been found to have reduced serotonin

> > > activity

> > > > compared with normal rats (Pihl, et al., 1993).

> > > >

> > > > Human studies have consistently demonstrated reduced alcohol

> > > intake

> > > > among various groups, including social drinkers and alcohol-

> > > dependent

> > > > males, taking SSRIs (Pihl, et al., 1993). Alcoholics have

also

> > > been

> > > > shown to have reduced serotonin activity as indicated by low

> > > levels

> > > > of 5-HIAA (LeMarquand, et al., 1994). As alcoholics progress

> in

> > > their

> > > > illness, they become less able to control their emotions and

> > > physical

> > > > actions.

> > > >

> > > > Pihl, et al., state that people with low serotonin are

> likely " to

> > > > appear depressed and aggressive, more driven by appetites

> (more

> > > > motivated by food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse), and more

> > > > impulsive (less able to control behavior) in the face of

> threat. "

> > > > They may also be more likely to use aggression to achieve

> > rewards.

> > > > Specifically with regard to alcohol, decreased serotonin may

> lead

> > > to

> > > > an inability to terminate drinking once started. And if a

> person

> > > with

> > > > low serotonin levels starts drinking, they likely will

exhibit

> an

> > > > increase in aggressive behavior.

> > > >

> > > > In some people and in some situations medications that can

> > enhance

> > > > life can also create unhealthy dispositions. In every

> situation,

> > > risk

> > > > must be measured versus benefit. Because of the serotonergic

> > > lowering

> > > > effects caused by such drugs as the " statins " , for some the

> risks

> > > > outweigh the benefits. Mr. Hyde-like problems make there use

> > > > untenable. In the case of Redux and fenfluramine (the " fen "

in

> > fen-

> > > > phen), both drugs have been removed from the market in great

> part

> > > due

> > > > to the underlying anti-serotonergic effects. The actions of

> > > serotonin

> > > > in the brain are not extremely well understood. What does

seem

> > > clear

> > > > is that alterations of serotonin levels can have far-

reaching

> > > > cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact.

> > > >

> > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, MA, PhD (cnuckols@e...) is President of

> > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols and Associates, LLC, a national and

> > > international

> > > > training and consulting

> > > > organization.

> > > >

> > > > Reference

> > > >

> > > > http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm

> > > > http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > > articleid=276 & category=4

> > > > http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208

> > > > Lidberg, L., Tuck, J., Asberg, M., Scalia-Tomba, G.,

> Bertilsson,

> > > L.

> > > > Homicide, suicide and CSF 5-HIAA. Acta Psychiatr Scand.

> > > 1985;71:230-

> > > > 236.

> > > > Murdoch D, Pihl R, Ross D. Alcohol and crimes of violence:

> > present

> > > > issues. Int J Addict. 1990;25:1065-1081.

> > > > Penttinen J. Hypothesis: low serum cholesterol, suicide, and

> > > > interleukin-2. Am. J Epidemiol. 1995;141:716-718.

> > > > Pihl R, J. Alcohol, serotonin and aggression.

Alcohol

> > > Health

> > > > Res World. 1993;17:113-117.

> > > > Placidi, G. P., M. A. Oquendo, K. M. Malone, Y. Y. Huang, S.

> P.

> > > > Ellis, and J. J. Mann, Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 50, No.

10,

> > > > November 15, 2001, 783-91.

> > > >

> > > > FAIR USE NOTICE

> > > >

> > > > This email contains copyrighted material the use of which

has

> not

> > > > always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.

I

> am

> > > > making such material available in my efforts to advance

> > > understanding

> > > > of environmental, political, human rights, economic,

> democracy,

> > > > scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

> > > >

> > > > I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such

> copyrighted

> > > > material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

> Law.

> > > In

> > > > accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in

> this

> > > > email is distributed without profit to those who have

> expressed a

> > > > prior interest in receiving the included information

> > > > for research and educational purposes. For more information

go

> > to:

> > > > http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

> > > > If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for

> > > purposes

> > > > of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain

> permission

> > > > from the copyright owner.

> > > > _______________________________________________

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

December 27, 2005

I'm positive I remember people on a depression board discussion

serotonin testing. Is there more than one type of serotonin test?

Perhaps this is the test my mother had:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003562.htm

http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003562.htm

I'll have to ask the next time I talk to her to be sure.

> > > >

> > > > I would like to know how they are measuring Serotonin in the

> > brain

> > > or

> > > > body.

> > > >

> > > > john

> > > >

> > > > Serotonin and Aggression: " The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Effect "

> By

> > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, PhD

> > > > Louis son's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and

> Mr.

> > > Hyde

> > > > demonstrates that " good " and " evil " can exist within a

single

> > > person.

> > > > As you might remember, Dr. Jekyll ingests a formula and is

> > > > transformed from a mild-mannered English physician into an

> > > > antisocial, violent criminal.

> > > >

> > > > Any formula that interferes with the actions of serotonin in

> the

> > > > brain can bring about changes that resemble Jekyll's

> > > transformation

> > > > to Hyde. While less dramatic than the Mr. Hyde effect,

> serotonin

> > > > deficiency can create tendencies toward anxiety, depression,

> out-

> > > of-

> > > > control impulsivity, and violence toward self and others.

> > > Considering

> > > > our current understanding of neurochemistry, Jekyll's

formula

> may

> > > > well have contained a potent anti-serotonergic drug

> > > (http://www.life-

> > > > enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208).

> > > >

> > > > Researchers have found that violence related to low

serotonin

> > > levels

> > > > can be either inner- or outer-directed. P. Placidi and

> colleagues

> > > > studied 93 individuals suffering from depression. These

> > > researchers

> > > > found that a higher level of aggression was strongly

> associated

> > > with

> > > > lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic

acid

> (5-

> > > > HIAA). 5-HIAA is a major metabolite of serotonin. Their data

> also

> > > > revealed that lower levels of 5-HIAA were found in

successful

> > > suicide

> > > > attempters (Placidi, et al., 2001).

> > > >

> > > > A group of Danish scientists measured levels of 5-HIAA in 16

> men

> > > > convicted of homicide, 22 men who attempted suicide and 39

> > healthy

> > > > male controls. The lowest levels of 5-HIAA were found in

those

> > men

> > > > who had killed a sexual partner or had attempted suicide

> > (Lidberg,

> > > et

> > > > al., 1985).

> > > >

> > > > Many studies have found that low serotonin levels are linked

> to

> > > > aggression, alcohol abuse and mental illness. At the

National

> > > > Institutes of Health (NIH) Primate Center in Poolesville,

Md.,

> > > > researchers Suomi and Higley studied the link between

> behavior,

> > > > serotonin and environment in rhesus monkeys. They found that

5

> to

> > > 10

> > > > percent of monkeys in the wild and laboratory populations

have

> > > > elevated impulsivity and aggression. These monkeys also have

> the

> > > > lowest levels of serotonin when compared to the rest of the

> > > > population. In the lab, they're antisocial, inappropriately

> > > > aggressive and will drink to intoxication. In the wild,

these

> > > monkeys

> > > > seek out danger. They will make risky leaps between trees

that

> > > other

> > > > monkeys would never attempt

> > > > (http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm).

> > > >

> > > > It has been more than one hundred years since son's

> > literary

> > > > masterpiece. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have

> > > created a

> > > > number of pharmacological agents that can produce Jekyll-and-

> Hyde-

> > > > like changes.

> > > >

> > > > The appetite-suppressors fenfluramine (Pondimin and Ionamin)

> and

> > > > dexfenfluramine (Redux) both act by depleting serotonin and

> may

> > > > permanently destroy serotonergic neurons in the brain. Even

> > weight-

> > > > loss diets that are extremely low in fat have caused Hyde-

like

> > > > behavior patterns in some people.

> > > >

> > > > Severe irritability and aggression have been attributed to

> > > > cholesterol-lowering medications called " statins "

> > > > (www.americanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > articleid=276 & category=4).

> > > > Among the best studied of the " statins " are Lopid, Questran,

> > > Lescol,

> > > > Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol. In another study, patients

with

> low

> > > > cholesterol showed hypersensitivity to detecting anger and

> > sadness

> > > in

> > > > themselves (Penttinen, 1995). Low serotonin levels appear to

> be

> > > > involved.

> > > >

> > > > The relationship between alcohol, depression, and violence

is

> > well

> > > > known. A high proportion of suicide victims are found to

have

> > been

> > > > drinking heavily at the time of their death. Similarly,

> > > perpetrators

> > > > of violent crimes are often intoxicated when they commit a

> crime

> > > > (Murdoch, et al., 1990).

> > > >

> > > > In animal studies, some drugs that decrease serotonin

activity

> > > > increase alcohol consumption. When animals are given drugs

> that

> > > > enhance serotonin activity (serotonin, tryptophan, 5-HTP or

an

> > > SSRI),

> > > > they drink less alcohol. Rats that have been bred to prefer

> > > drinking

> > > > alcohol to water have been found to have reduced serotonin

> > > activity

> > > > compared with normal rats (Pihl, et al., 1993).

> > > >

> > > > Human studies have consistently demonstrated reduced alcohol

> > > intake

> > > > among various groups, including social drinkers and alcohol-

> > > dependent

> > > > males, taking SSRIs (Pihl, et al., 1993). Alcoholics have

also

> > > been

> > > > shown to have reduced serotonin activity as indicated by low

> > > levels

> > > > of 5-HIAA (LeMarquand, et al., 1994). As alcoholics progress

> in

> > > their

> > > > illness, they become less able to control their emotions and

> > > physical

> > > > actions.

> > > >

> > > > Pihl, et al., state that people with low serotonin are

> likely " to

> > > > appear depressed and aggressive, more driven by appetites

> (more

> > > > motivated by food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse), and more

> > > > impulsive (less able to control behavior) in the face of

> threat. "

> > > > They may also be more likely to use aggression to achieve

> > rewards.

> > > > Specifically with regard to alcohol, decreased serotonin may

> lead

> > > to

> > > > an inability to terminate drinking once started. And if a

> person

> > > with

> > > > low serotonin levels starts drinking, they likely will

exhibit

> an

> > > > increase in aggressive behavior.

> > > >

> > > > In some people and in some situations medications that can

> > enhance

> > > > life can also create unhealthy dispositions. In every

> situation,

> > > risk

> > > > must be measured versus benefit. Because of the serotonergic

> > > lowering

> > > > effects caused by such drugs as the " statins " , for some the

> risks

> > > > outweigh the benefits. Mr. Hyde-like problems make there use

> > > > untenable. In the case of Redux and fenfluramine (the " fen "

in

> > fen-

> > > > phen), both drugs have been removed from the market in great

> part

> > > due

> > > > to the underlying anti-serotonergic effects. The actions of

> > > serotonin

> > > > in the brain are not extremely well understood. What does

seem

> > > clear

> > > > is that alterations of serotonin levels can have far-

reaching

> > > > cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact.

> > > >

> > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, MA, PhD (cnuckols@e...) is President of

> > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols and Associates, LLC, a national and

> > > international

> > > > training and consulting

> > > > organization.

> > > >

> > > > Reference

> > > >

> > > > http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm

> > > > http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > > articleid=276 & category=4

> > > > http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208

> > > > Lidberg, L., Tuck, J., Asberg, M., Scalia-Tomba, G.,

> Bertilsson,

> > > L.

> > > > Homicide, suicide and CSF 5-HIAA. Acta Psychiatr Scand.

> > > 1985;71:230-

> > > > 236.

> > > > Murdoch D, Pihl R, Ross D. Alcohol and crimes of violence:

> > present

> > > > issues. Int J Addict. 1990;25:1065-1081.

> > > > Penttinen J. Hypothesis: low serum cholesterol, suicide, and

> > > > interleukin-2. Am. J Epidemiol. 1995;141:716-718.

> > > > Pihl R, J. Alcohol, serotonin and aggression.

Alcohol

> > > Health

> > > > Res World. 1993;17:113-117.

> > > > Placidi, G. P., M. A. Oquendo, K. M. Malone, Y. Y. Huang, S.

> P.

> > > > Ellis, and J. J. Mann, Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 50, No.

10,

> > > > November 15, 2001, 783-91.

> > > >

> > > > FAIR USE NOTICE

> > > >

> > > > This email contains copyrighted material the use of which

has

> not

> > > > always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.

I

> am

> > > > making such material available in my efforts to advance

> > > understanding

> > > > of environmental, political, human rights, economic,

> democracy,

> > > > scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

> > > >

> > > > I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such

> copyrighted

> > > > material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

> Law.

> > > In

> > > > accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in

> this

> > > > email is distributed without profit to those who have

> expressed a

> > > > prior interest in receiving the included information

> > > > for research and educational purposes. For more information

go

> > to:

> > > > http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

> > > > If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for

> > > purposes

> > > > of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain

> permission

> > > > from the copyright owner.

> > > > _______________________________________________

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

December 27, 2005

This is taken directly from those sites:

" Why the test is performed:

This test may be performed when a patient has cutaneous flushing,

persistent diarrhea, and valvular heart disease, the classic symptoms

that may indicate carcinoid syndrome.

Serotonin is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan by

enterochromaffin cells in the stomach and bronchi. Many patients with

carcinoid syndrome will have high levels of serotonin in blood and

urine "

Note that they make NO reference to serotonin levels in the brain...

only blood and urine. If there was a true test for serotonin as it

possibly relates to depression, every patient would have this test

done... they don't order this unless it's a pathological carcinoid

process that is suspected. This level has nothing to do with the

constantly changing serotonin level in the brain.

> > > > >

> > > > > I would like to know how they are measuring Serotonin in

the

> > > brain

> > > > or

> > > > > body.

> > > > >

> > > > > john

> > > > >

> > > > > Serotonin and Aggression: " The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

> Effect "

> > By

> > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, PhD

> > > > > Louis son's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and

> > Mr.

> > > > Hyde

> > > > > demonstrates that " good " and " evil " can exist within a

> single

> > > > person.

> > > > > As you might remember, Dr. Jekyll ingests a formula and is

> > > > > transformed from a mild-mannered English physician into an

> > > > > antisocial, violent criminal.

> > > > >

> > > > > Any formula that interferes with the actions of serotonin

in

> > the

> > > > > brain can bring about changes that resemble Jekyll's

> > > > transformation

> > > > > to Hyde. While less dramatic than the Mr. Hyde effect,

> > serotonin

> > > > > deficiency can create tendencies toward anxiety,

depression,

> > out-

> > > > of-

> > > > > control impulsivity, and violence toward self and others.

> > > > Considering

> > > > > our current understanding of neurochemistry, Jekyll's

> formula

> > may

> > > > > well have contained a potent anti-serotonergic drug

> > > > (http://www.life-

> > > > > enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208).

> > > > >

> > > > > Researchers have found that violence related to low

> serotonin

> > > > levels

> > > > > can be either inner- or outer-directed. P. Placidi and

> > colleagues

> > > > > studied 93 individuals suffering from depression. These

> > > > researchers

> > > > > found that a higher level of aggression was strongly

> > associated

> > > > with

> > > > > lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic

> acid

> > (5-

> > > > > HIAA). 5-HIAA is a major metabolite of serotonin. Their

data

> > also

> > > > > revealed that lower levels of 5-HIAA were found in

> successful

> > > > suicide

> > > > > attempters (Placidi, et al., 2001).

> > > > >

> > > > > A group of Danish scientists measured levels of 5-HIAA in

16

> > men

> > > > > convicted of homicide, 22 men who attempted suicide and 39

> > > healthy

> > > > > male controls. The lowest levels of 5-HIAA were found in

> those

> > > men

> > > > > who had killed a sexual partner or had attempted suicide

> > > (Lidberg,

> > > > et

> > > > > al., 1985).

> > > > >

> > > > > Many studies have found that low serotonin levels are

linked

> > to

> > > > > aggression, alcohol abuse and mental illness. At the

> National

> > > > > Institutes of Health (NIH) Primate Center in Poolesville,

> Md.,

> > > > > researchers Suomi and Higley studied the link between

> > behavior,

> > > > > serotonin and environment in rhesus monkeys. They found

that

> 5

> > to

> > > > 10

> > > > > percent of monkeys in the wild and laboratory populations

> have

> > > > > elevated impulsivity and aggression. These monkeys also

have

> > the

> > > > > lowest levels of serotonin when compared to the rest of the

> > > > > population. In the lab, they're antisocial, inappropriately

> > > > > aggressive and will drink to intoxication. In the wild,

> these

> > > > monkeys

> > > > > seek out danger. They will make risky leaps between trees

> that

> > > > other

> > > > > monkeys would never attempt

> > > > >

(http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm).

> > > > >

> > > > > It has been more than one hundred years since son's

> > > literary

> > > > > masterpiece. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have

> > > > created a

> > > > > number of pharmacological agents that can produce Jekyll-

and-

> > Hyde-

> > > > > like changes.

> > > > >

> > > > > The appetite-suppressors fenfluramine (Pondimin and

Ionamin)

> > and

> > > > > dexfenfluramine (Redux) both act by depleting serotonin and

> > may

> > > > > permanently destroy serotonergic neurons in the brain. Even

> > > weight-

> > > > > loss diets that are extremely low in fat have caused Hyde-

> like

> > > > > behavior patterns in some people.

> > > > >

> > > > > Severe irritability and aggression have been attributed to

> > > > > cholesterol-lowering medications called " statins "

> > > > > (www.americanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > articleid=276 & category=4).

> > > > > Among the best studied of the " statins " are Lopid,

Questran,

> > > > Lescol,

> > > > > Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol. In another study, patients

> with

> > low

> > > > > cholesterol showed hypersensitivity to detecting anger and

> > > sadness

> > > > in

> > > > > themselves (Penttinen, 1995). Low serotonin levels appear

to

> > be

> > > > > involved.

> > > > >

> > > > > The relationship between alcohol, depression, and violence

> is

> > > well

> > > > > known. A high proportion of suicide victims are found to

> have

> > > been

> > > > > drinking heavily at the time of their death. Similarly,

> > > > perpetrators

> > > > > of violent crimes are often intoxicated when they commit a

> > crime

> > > > > (Murdoch, et al., 1990).

> > > > >

> > > > > In animal studies, some drugs that decrease serotonin

> activity

> > > > > increase alcohol consumption. When animals are given drugs

> > that

> > > > > enhance serotonin activity (serotonin, tryptophan, 5-HTP or

> an

> > > > SSRI),

> > > > > they drink less alcohol. Rats that have been bred to prefer

> > > > drinking

> > > > > alcohol to water have been found to have reduced serotonin

> > > > activity

> > > > > compared with normal rats (Pihl, et al., 1993).

> > > > >

> > > > > Human studies have consistently demonstrated reduced

alcohol

> > > > intake

> > > > > among various groups, including social drinkers and alcohol-

> > > > dependent

> > > > > males, taking SSRIs (Pihl, et al., 1993). Alcoholics have

> also

> > > > been

> > > > > shown to have reduced serotonin activity as indicated by

low

> > > > levels

> > > > > of 5-HIAA (LeMarquand, et al., 1994). As alcoholics

progress

> > in

> > > > their

> > > > > illness, they become less able to control their emotions

and

> > > > physical

> > > > > actions.

> > > > >

> > > > > Pihl, et al., state that people with low serotonin are

> > likely " to

> > > > > appear depressed and aggressive, more driven by appetites

> > (more

> > > > > motivated by food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse), and

more

> > > > > impulsive (less able to control behavior) in the face of

> > threat. "

> > > > > They may also be more likely to use aggression to achieve

> > > rewards.

> > > > > Specifically with regard to alcohol, decreased serotonin

may

> > lead

> > > > to

> > > > > an inability to terminate drinking once started. And if a

> > person

> > > > with

> > > > > low serotonin levels starts drinking, they likely will

> exhibit

> > an

> > > > > increase in aggressive behavior.

> > > > >

> > > > > In some people and in some situations medications that can

> > > enhance

> > > > > life can also create unhealthy dispositions. In every

> > situation,

> > > > risk

> > > > > must be measured versus benefit. Because of the

serotonergic

> > > > lowering

> > > > > effects caused by such drugs as the " statins " , for some the

> > risks

> > > > > outweigh the benefits. Mr. Hyde-like problems make there

use

> > > > > untenable. In the case of Redux and fenfluramine (the " fen "

> in

> > > fen-

> > > > > phen), both drugs have been removed from the market in

great

> > part

> > > > due

> > > > > to the underlying anti-serotonergic effects. The actions of

> > > > serotonin

> > > > > in the brain are not extremely well understood. What does

> seem

> > > > clear

> > > > > is that alterations of serotonin levels can have far-

> reaching

> > > > > cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact.

> > > > >

> > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, MA, PhD (cnuckols@e...) is President

of

> > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols and Associates, LLC, a national and

> > > > international

> > > > > training and consulting

> > > > > organization.

> > > > >

> > > > > Reference

> > > > >

> > > > > http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm

> > > > > http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > > > articleid=276 & category=4

> > > > > http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208

> > > > > Lidberg, L., Tuck, J., Asberg, M., Scalia-Tomba, G.,

> > Bertilsson,

> > > > L.

> > > > > Homicide, suicide and CSF 5-HIAA. Acta Psychiatr Scand.

> > > > 1985;71:230-

> > > > > 236.

> > > > > Murdoch D, Pihl R, Ross D. Alcohol and crimes of violence:

> > > present

> > > > > issues. Int J Addict. 1990;25:1065-1081.

> > > > > Penttinen J. Hypothesis: low serum cholesterol, suicide,

and

> > > > > interleukin-2. Am. J Epidemiol. 1995;141:716-718.

> > > > > Pihl R, J. Alcohol, serotonin and aggression.

> Alcohol

> > > > Health

> > > > > Res World. 1993;17:113-117.

> > > > > Placidi, G. P., M. A. Oquendo, K. M. Malone, Y. Y. Huang,

S.

> > P.

> > > > > Ellis, and J. J. Mann, Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 50, No.

> 10,

> > > > > November 15, 2001, 783-91.

> > > > >

> > > > > FAIR USE NOTICE

> > > > >

> > > > > This email contains copyrighted material the use of which

> has

> > not

> > > > > always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.

> I

> > am

> > > > > making such material available in my efforts to advance

> > > > understanding

> > > > > of environmental, political, human rights, economic,

> > democracy,

> > > > > scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

> > > > >

> > > > > I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such

> > copyrighted

> > > > > material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

> > Law.

> > > > In

> > > > > accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material

in

> > this

> > > > > email is distributed without profit to those who have

> > expressed a

> > > > > prior interest in receiving the included information

> > > > > for research and educational purposes. For more information

> go

> > > to:

> > > > > http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

> > > > > If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update

for

> > > > purposes

> > > > > of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain

> > permission

> > > > > from the copyright owner.

> > > > > _______________________________________________

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

December 27, 2005

This is taken directly from those sites:

" Why the test is performed:

This test may be performed when a patient has cutaneous flushing,

persistent diarrhea, and valvular heart disease, the classic symptoms

that may indicate carcinoid syndrome.

Serotonin is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan by

enterochromaffin cells in the stomach and bronchi. Many patients with

carcinoid syndrome will have high levels of serotonin in blood and

urine "

Note that they make NO reference to serotonin levels in the brain...

only blood and urine. If there was a true test for serotonin as it

possibly relates to depression, every patient would have this test

done... they don't order this unless it's a pathological carcinoid

process that is suspected. This level has nothing to do with the

constantly changing serotonin level in the brain.

> > > > >

> > > > > I would like to know how they are measuring Serotonin in

the

> > > brain

> > > > or

> > > > > body.

> > > > >

> > > > > john

> > > > >

> > > > > Serotonin and Aggression: " The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

> Effect "

> > By

> > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, PhD

> > > > > Louis son's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and

> > Mr.

> > > > Hyde

> > > > > demonstrates that " good " and " evil " can exist within a

> single

> > > > person.

> > > > > As you might remember, Dr. Jekyll ingests a formula and is

> > > > > transformed from a mild-mannered English physician into an

> > > > > antisocial, violent criminal.

> > > > >

> > > > > Any formula that interferes with the actions of serotonin

in

> > the

> > > > > brain can bring about changes that resemble Jekyll's

> > > > transformation

> > > > > to Hyde. While less dramatic than the Mr. Hyde effect,

> > serotonin

> > > > > deficiency can create tendencies toward anxiety,

depression,

> > out-

> > > > of-

> > > > > control impulsivity, and violence toward self and others.

> > > > Considering

> > > > > our current understanding of neurochemistry, Jekyll's

> formula

> > may

> > > > > well have contained a potent anti-serotonergic drug

> > > > (http://www.life-

> > > > > enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208).

> > > > >

> > > > > Researchers have found that violence related to low

> serotonin

> > > > levels

> > > > > can be either inner- or outer-directed. P. Placidi and

> > colleagues

> > > > > studied 93 individuals suffering from depression. These

> > > > researchers

> > > > > found that a higher level of aggression was strongly

> > associated

> > > > with

> > > > > lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic

> acid

> > (5-

> > > > > HIAA). 5-HIAA is a major metabolite of serotonin. Their

data

> > also

> > > > > revealed that lower levels of 5-HIAA were found in

> successful

> > > > suicide

> > > > > attempters (Placidi, et al., 2001).

> > > > >

> > > > > A group of Danish scientists measured levels of 5-HIAA in

16

> > men

> > > > > convicted of homicide, 22 men who attempted suicide and 39

> > > healthy

> > > > > male controls. The lowest levels of 5-HIAA were found in

> those

> > > men

> > > > > who had killed a sexual partner or had attempted suicide

> > > (Lidberg,

> > > > et

> > > > > al., 1985).

> > > > >

> > > > > Many studies have found that low serotonin levels are

linked

> > to

> > > > > aggression, alcohol abuse and mental illness. At the

> National

> > > > > Institutes of Health (NIH) Primate Center in Poolesville,

> Md.,

> > > > > researchers Suomi and Higley studied the link between

> > behavior,

> > > > > serotonin and environment in rhesus monkeys. They found

that

> 5

> > to

> > > > 10

> > > > > percent of monkeys in the wild and laboratory populations

> have

> > > > > elevated impulsivity and aggression. These monkeys also

have

> > the

> > > > > lowest levels of serotonin when compared to the rest of the

> > > > > population. In the lab, they're antisocial, inappropriately

> > > > > aggressive and will drink to intoxication. In the wild,

> these

> > > > monkeys

> > > > > seek out danger. They will make risky leaps between trees

> that

> > > > other

> > > > > monkeys would never attempt

> > > > >

(http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm).

> > > > >

> > > > > It has been more than one hundred years since son's

> > > literary

> > > > > masterpiece. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have

> > > > created a

> > > > > number of pharmacological agents that can produce Jekyll-

and-

> > Hyde-

> > > > > like changes.

> > > > >

> > > > > The appetite-suppressors fenfluramine (Pondimin and

Ionamin)

> > and

> > > > > dexfenfluramine (Redux) both act by depleting serotonin and

> > may

> > > > > permanently destroy serotonergic neurons in the brain. Even

> > > weight-

> > > > > loss diets that are extremely low in fat have caused Hyde-

> like

> > > > > behavior patterns in some people.

> > > > >

> > > > > Severe irritability and aggression have been attributed to

> > > > > cholesterol-lowering medications called " statins "

> > > > > (www.americanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > articleid=276 & category=4).

> > > > > Among the best studied of the " statins " are Lopid,

Questran,

> > > > Lescol,

> > > > > Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol. In another study, patients

> with

> > low

> > > > > cholesterol showed hypersensitivity to detecting anger and

> > > sadness

> > > > in

> > > > > themselves (Penttinen, 1995). Low serotonin levels appear

to

> > be

> > > > > involved.

> > > > >

> > > > > The relationship between alcohol, depression, and violence

> is

> > > well

> > > > > known. A high proportion of suicide victims are found to

> have

> > > been

> > > > > drinking heavily at the time of their death. Similarly,

> > > > perpetrators

> > > > > of violent crimes are often intoxicated when they commit a

> > crime

> > > > > (Murdoch, et al., 1990).

> > > > >

> > > > > In animal studies, some drugs that decrease serotonin

> activity

> > > > > increase alcohol consumption. When animals are given drugs

> > that

> > > > > enhance serotonin activity (serotonin, tryptophan, 5-HTP or

> an

> > > > SSRI),

> > > > > they drink less alcohol. Rats that have been bred to prefer

> > > > drinking

> > > > > alcohol to water have been found to have reduced serotonin

> > > > activity

> > > > > compared with normal rats (Pihl, et al., 1993).

> > > > >

> > > > > Human studies have consistently demonstrated reduced

alcohol

> > > > intake

> > > > > among various groups, including social drinkers and alcohol-

> > > > dependent

> > > > > males, taking SSRIs (Pihl, et al., 1993). Alcoholics have

> also

> > > > been

> > > > > shown to have reduced serotonin activity as indicated by

low

> > > > levels

> > > > > of 5-HIAA (LeMarquand, et al., 1994). As alcoholics

progress

> > in

> > > > their

> > > > > illness, they become less able to control their emotions

and

> > > > physical

> > > > > actions.

> > > > >

> > > > > Pihl, et al., state that people with low serotonin are

> > likely " to

> > > > > appear depressed and aggressive, more driven by appetites

> > (more

> > > > > motivated by food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse), and

more

> > > > > impulsive (less able to control behavior) in the face of

> > threat. "

> > > > > They may also be more likely to use aggression to achieve

> > > rewards.

> > > > > Specifically with regard to alcohol, decreased serotonin

may

> > lead

> > > > to

> > > > > an inability to terminate drinking once started. And if a

> > person

> > > > with

> > > > > low serotonin levels starts drinking, they likely will

> exhibit

> > an

> > > > > increase in aggressive behavior.

> > > > >

> > > > > In some people and in some situations medications that can

> > > enhance

> > > > > life can also create unhealthy dispositions. In every

> > situation,

> > > > risk

> > > > > must be measured versus benefit. Because of the

serotonergic

> > > > lowering

> > > > > effects caused by such drugs as the " statins " , for some the

> > risks

> > > > > outweigh the benefits. Mr. Hyde-like problems make there

use

> > > > > untenable. In the case of Redux and fenfluramine (the " fen "

> in

> > > fen-

> > > > > phen), both drugs have been removed from the market in

great

> > part

> > > > due

> > > > > to the underlying anti-serotonergic effects. The actions of

> > > > serotonin

> > > > > in the brain are not extremely well understood. What does

> seem

> > > > clear

> > > > > is that alterations of serotonin levels can have far-

> reaching

> > > > > cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact.

> > > > >

> > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, MA, PhD (cnuckols@e...) is President

of

> > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols and Associates, LLC, a national and

> > > > international

> > > > > training and consulting

> > > > > organization.

> > > > >

> > > > > Reference

> > > > >

> > > > > http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm

> > > > > http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > > > articleid=276 & category=4

> > > > > http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208

> > > > > Lidberg, L., Tuck, J., Asberg, M., Scalia-Tomba, G.,

> > Bertilsson,

> > > > L.

> > > > > Homicide, suicide and CSF 5-HIAA. Acta Psychiatr Scand.

> > > > 1985;71:230-

> > > > > 236.

> > > > > Murdoch D, Pihl R, Ross D. Alcohol and crimes of violence:

> > > present

> > > > > issues. Int J Addict. 1990;25:1065-1081.

> > > > > Penttinen J. Hypothesis: low serum cholesterol, suicide,

and

> > > > > interleukin-2. Am. J Epidemiol. 1995;141:716-718.

> > > > > Pihl R, J. Alcohol, serotonin and aggression.

> Alcohol

> > > > Health

> > > > > Res World. 1993;17:113-117.

> > > > > Placidi, G. P., M. A. Oquendo, K. M. Malone, Y. Y. Huang,

S.

> > P.

> > > > > Ellis, and J. J. Mann, Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 50, No.

> 10,

> > > > > November 15, 2001, 783-91.

> > > > >

> > > > > FAIR USE NOTICE

> > > > >

> > > > > This email contains copyrighted material the use of which

> has

> > not

> > > > > always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.

> I

> > am

> > > > > making such material available in my efforts to advance

> > > > understanding

> > > > > of environmental, political, human rights, economic,

> > democracy,

> > > > > scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

> > > > >

> > > > > I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such

> > copyrighted

> > > > > material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

> > Law.

> > > > In

> > > > > accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material

in

> > this

> > > > > email is distributed without profit to those who have

> > expressed a

> > > > > prior interest in receiving the included information

> > > > > for research and educational purposes. For more information

> go

> > > to:

> > > > > http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

> > > > > If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update

for

> > > > purposes

> > > > > of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain

> > permission

> > > > > from the copyright owner.

> > > > > _______________________________________________

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

December 27, 2005

Is there a source which specificially states there is no blood test

for brain serotonin? I'm reading about serotonin on various

websites, and the serotonin tested in blood tests, sounds like the

same serotonin present in the brain to me. Thanks, Sharon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/serotonin/introduction.htm

p.s. I always like to know the details of these things, in case I

have discussions with others.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I would like to know how they are measuring Serotonin in

> the

> > > > brain

> > > > > or

> > > > > > body.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > john

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Serotonin and Aggression: " The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

> > Effect "

> > > By

> > > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, PhD

> > > > > > Louis son's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll

and

> > > Mr.

> > > > > Hyde

> > > > > > demonstrates that " good " and " evil " can exist within a

> > single

> > > > > person.

> > > > > > As you might remember, Dr. Jekyll ingests a formula and

is

> > > > > > transformed from a mild-mannered English physician into

an

> > > > > > antisocial, violent criminal.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Any formula that interferes with the actions of

serotonin

> in

> > > the

> > > > > > brain can bring about changes that resemble Jekyll's

> > > > > transformation

> > > > > > to Hyde. While less dramatic than the Mr. Hyde effect,

> > > serotonin

> > > > > > deficiency can create tendencies toward anxiety,

> depression,

> > > out-

> > > > > of-

> > > > > > control impulsivity, and violence toward self and

others.

> > > > > Considering

> > > > > > our current understanding of neurochemistry, Jekyll's

> > formula

> > > may

> > > > > > well have contained a potent anti-serotonergic drug

> > > > > (http://www.life-

> > > > > > enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208).

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Researchers have found that violence related to low

> > serotonin

> > > > > levels

> > > > > > can be either inner- or outer-directed. P. Placidi and

> > > colleagues

> > > > > > studied 93 individuals suffering from depression. These

> > > > > researchers

> > > > > > found that a higher level of aggression was strongly

> > > associated

> > > > > with

> > > > > > lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic

> > acid

> > > (5-

> > > > > > HIAA). 5-HIAA is a major metabolite of serotonin. Their

> data

> > > also

> > > > > > revealed that lower levels of 5-HIAA were found in

> > successful

> > > > > suicide

> > > > > > attempters (Placidi, et al., 2001).

> > > > > >

> > > > > > A group of Danish scientists measured levels of 5-HIAA

in

> 16

> > > men

> > > > > > convicted of homicide, 22 men who attempted suicide and

39

> > > > healthy

> > > > > > male controls. The lowest levels of 5-HIAA were found in

> > those

> > > > men

> > > > > > who had killed a sexual partner or had attempted suicide

> > > > (Lidberg,

> > > > > et

> > > > > > al., 1985).

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Many studies have found that low serotonin levels are

> linked

> > > to

> > > > > > aggression, alcohol abuse and mental illness. At the

> > National

> > > > > > Institutes of Health (NIH) Primate Center in

Poolesville,

> > Md.,

> > > > > > researchers Suomi and Higley studied the link between

> > > behavior,

> > > > > > serotonin and environment in rhesus monkeys. They found

> that

> > 5

> > > to

> > > > > 10

> > > > > > percent of monkeys in the wild and laboratory

populations

> > have

> > > > > > elevated impulsivity and aggression. These monkeys also

> have

> > > the

> > > > > > lowest levels of serotonin when compared to the rest of

the

> > > > > > population. In the lab, they're antisocial,

inappropriately

> > > > > > aggressive and will drink to intoxication. In the wild,

> > these

> > > > > monkeys

> > > > > > seek out danger. They will make risky leaps between

trees

> > that

> > > > > other

> > > > > > monkeys would never attempt

> > > > > >

> (http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm).

> > > > > >

> > > > > > It has been more than one hundred years since

son's

> > > > literary

> > > > > > masterpiece. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies

have

> > > > > created a

> > > > > > number of pharmacological agents that can produce Jekyll-

> and-

> > > Hyde-

> > > > > > like changes.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > The appetite-suppressors fenfluramine (Pondimin and

> Ionamin)

> > > and

> > > > > > dexfenfluramine (Redux) both act by depleting serotonin

and

> > > may

> > > > > > permanently destroy serotonergic neurons in the brain.

Even

> > > > weight-

> > > > > > loss diets that are extremely low in fat have caused

Hyde-

> > like

> > > > > > behavior patterns in some people.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Severe irritability and aggression have been attributed

to

> > > > > > cholesterol-lowering medications called " statins "

> > > > > > (www.americanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > > articleid=276 & category=4).

> > > > > > Among the best studied of the " statins " are Lopid,

> Questran,

> > > > > Lescol,

> > > > > > Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol. In another study, patients

> > with

> > > low

> > > > > > cholesterol showed hypersensitivity to detecting anger

and

> > > > sadness

> > > > > in

> > > > > > themselves (Penttinen, 1995). Low serotonin levels

appear

> to

> > > be

> > > > > > involved.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > The relationship between alcohol, depression, and

violence

> > is

> > > > well

> > > > > > known. A high proportion of suicide victims are found to

> > have

> > > > been

> > > > > > drinking heavily at the time of their death. Similarly,

> > > > > perpetrators

> > > > > > of violent crimes are often intoxicated when they commit

a

> > > crime

> > > > > > (Murdoch, et al., 1990).

> > > > > >

> > > > > > In animal studies, some drugs that decrease serotonin

> > activity

> > > > > > increase alcohol consumption. When animals are given

drugs

> > > that

> > > > > > enhance serotonin activity (serotonin, tryptophan, 5-HTP

or

> > an

> > > > > SSRI),

> > > > > > they drink less alcohol. Rats that have been bred to

prefer

> > > > > drinking

> > > > > > alcohol to water have been found to have reduced

serotonin

> > > > > activity

> > > > > > compared with normal rats (Pihl, et al., 1993).

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Human studies have consistently demonstrated reduced

> alcohol

> > > > > intake

> > > > > > among various groups, including social drinkers and

alcohol-

> > > > > dependent

> > > > > > males, taking SSRIs (Pihl, et al., 1993). Alcoholics

have

> > also

> > > > > been

> > > > > > shown to have reduced serotonin activity as indicated by

> low

> > > > > levels

> > > > > > of 5-HIAA (LeMarquand, et al., 1994). As alcoholics

> progress

> > > in

> > > > > their

> > > > > > illness, they become less able to control their emotions

> and

> > > > > physical

> > > > > > actions.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Pihl, et al., state that people with low serotonin are

> > > likely " to

> > > > > > appear depressed and aggressive, more driven by

appetites

> > > (more

> > > > > > motivated by food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse), and

> more

> > > > > > impulsive (less able to control behavior) in the face of

> > > threat. "

> > > > > > They may also be more likely to use aggression to

achieve

> > > > rewards.

> > > > > > Specifically with regard to alcohol, decreased serotonin

> may

> > > lead

> > > > > to

> > > > > > an inability to terminate drinking once started. And if

a

> > > person

> > > > > with

> > > > > > low serotonin levels starts drinking, they likely will

> > exhibit

> > > an

> > > > > > increase in aggressive behavior.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > In some people and in some situations medications that

can

> > > > enhance

> > > > > > life can also create unhealthy dispositions. In every

> > > situation,

> > > > > risk

> > > > > > must be measured versus benefit. Because of the

> serotonergic

> > > > > lowering

> > > > > > effects caused by such drugs as the " statins " , for some

the

> > > risks

> > > > > > outweigh the benefits. Mr. Hyde-like problems make there

> use

> > > > > > untenable. In the case of Redux and fenfluramine

(the " fen "

> > in

> > > > fen-

> > > > > > phen), both drugs have been removed from the market in

> great

> > > part

> > > > > due

> > > > > > to the underlying anti-serotonergic effects. The actions

of

> > > > > serotonin

> > > > > > in the brain are not extremely well understood. What

does

> > seem

> > > > > clear

> > > > > > is that alterations of serotonin levels can have far-

> > reaching

> > > > > > cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, MA, PhD (cnuckols@e...) is

President

> of

> > > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols and Associates, LLC, a national and

> > > > > international

> > > > > > training and consulting

> > > > > > organization.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Reference

> > > > > >

http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm

> > > > > > http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > > > > articleid=276 & category=4

> > > > > > http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?

ID=208

> > > > > > Lidberg, L., Tuck, J., Asberg, M., Scalia-Tomba, G.,

> > > Bertilsson,

> > > > > L.

> > > > > > Homicide, suicide and CSF 5-HIAA. Acta Psychiatr Scand.

> > > > > 1985;71:230-

> > > > > > 236.

> > > > > > Murdoch D, Pihl R, Ross D. Alcohol and crimes of

violence:

> > > > present

> > > > > > issues. Int J Addict. 1990;25:1065-1081.

> > > > > > Penttinen J. Hypothesis: low serum cholesterol, suicide,

> and

> > > > > > interleukin-2. Am. J Epidemiol. 1995;141:716-718.

> > > > > > Pihl R, J. Alcohol, serotonin and aggression.

> > Alcohol

> > > > > Health

> > > > > > Res World. 1993;17:113-117.

> > > > > > Placidi, G. P., M. A. Oquendo, K. M. Malone, Y. Y.

Huang,

> S.

> > > P.

> > > > > > Ellis, and J. J. Mann, Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 50,

No.

> > 10,

> > > > > > November 15, 2001, 783-91.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > FAIR USE NOTICE

> > > > > >

> > > > > > This email contains copyrighted material the use of

which

> > has

> > > not

> > > > > > always been specifically authorized by the copyright

owner.

> > I

> > > am

> > > > > > making such material available in my efforts to advance

> > > > > understanding

> > > > > > of environmental, political, human rights, economic,

> > > democracy,

> > > > > > scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such

> > > copyrighted

> > > > > > material as provided for in section 107 of the US

Copyright

> > > Law.

> > > > > In

> > > > > > accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the

material

> in

> > > this

> > > > > > email is distributed without profit to those who have

> > > expressed a

> > > > > > prior interest in receiving the included information

> > > > > > for research and educational purposes. For more

information

> > go

> > > > to:

> > > > > > http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

> > > > > > If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update

> for

> > > > > purposes

> > > > > > of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain

> > > permission

> > > > > > from the copyright owner.

> > > > > > _______________________________________________

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

December 27, 2005

Is there a source which specificially states there is no blood test

for brain serotonin? I'm reading about serotonin on various

websites, and the serotonin tested in blood tests, sounds like the

same serotonin present in the brain to me. Thanks, Sharon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/serotonin/introduction.htm

p.s. I always like to know the details of these things, in case I

have discussions with others.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I would like to know how they are measuring Serotonin in

> the

> > > > brain

> > > > > or

> > > > > > body.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > john

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Serotonin and Aggression: " The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

> > Effect "

> > > By

> > > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, PhD

> > > > > > Louis son's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll

and

> > > Mr.

> > > > > Hyde

> > > > > > demonstrates that " good " and " evil " can exist within a

> > single

> > > > > person.

> > > > > > As you might remember, Dr. Jekyll ingests a formula and

is

> > > > > > transformed from a mild-mannered English physician into

an

> > > > > > antisocial, violent criminal.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Any formula that interferes with the actions of

serotonin

> in

> > > the

> > > > > > brain can bring about changes that resemble Jekyll's

> > > > > transformation

> > > > > > to Hyde. While less dramatic than the Mr. Hyde effect,

> > > serotonin

> > > > > > deficiency can create tendencies toward anxiety,

> depression,

> > > out-

> > > > > of-

> > > > > > control impulsivity, and violence toward self and

others.

> > > > > Considering

> > > > > > our current understanding of neurochemistry, Jekyll's

> > formula

> > > may

> > > > > > well have contained a potent anti-serotonergic drug

> > > > > (http://www.life-

> > > > > > enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208).

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Researchers have found that violence related to low

> > serotonin

> > > > > levels

> > > > > > can be either inner- or outer-directed. P. Placidi and

> > > colleagues

> > > > > > studied 93 individuals suffering from depression. These

> > > > > researchers

> > > > > > found that a higher level of aggression was strongly

> > > associated

> > > > > with

> > > > > > lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic

> > acid

> > > (5-

> > > > > > HIAA). 5-HIAA is a major metabolite of serotonin. Their

> data

> > > also

> > > > > > revealed that lower levels of 5-HIAA were found in

> > successful

> > > > > suicide

> > > > > > attempters (Placidi, et al., 2001).

> > > > > >

> > > > > > A group of Danish scientists measured levels of 5-HIAA

in

> 16

> > > men

> > > > > > convicted of homicide, 22 men who attempted suicide and

39

> > > > healthy

> > > > > > male controls. The lowest levels of 5-HIAA were found in

> > those

> > > > men

> > > > > > who had killed a sexual partner or had attempted suicide

> > > > (Lidberg,

> > > > > et

> > > > > > al., 1985).

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Many studies have found that low serotonin levels are

> linked

> > > to

> > > > > > aggression, alcohol abuse and mental illness. At the

> > National

> > > > > > Institutes of Health (NIH) Primate Center in

Poolesville,

> > Md.,

> > > > > > researchers Suomi and Higley studied the link between

> > > behavior,

> > > > > > serotonin and environment in rhesus monkeys. They found

> that

> > 5

> > > to

> > > > > 10

> > > > > > percent of monkeys in the wild and laboratory

populations

> > have

> > > > > > elevated impulsivity and aggression. These monkeys also

> have

> > > the

> > > > > > lowest levels of serotonin when compared to the rest of

the

> > > > > > population. In the lab, they're antisocial,

inappropriately

> > > > > > aggressive and will drink to intoxication. In the wild,

> > these

> > > > > monkeys

> > > > > > seek out danger. They will make risky leaps between

trees

> > that

> > > > > other

> > > > > > monkeys would never attempt

> > > > > >

> (http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm).

> > > > > >

> > > > > > It has been more than one hundred years since

son's

> > > > literary

> > > > > > masterpiece. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies

have

> > > > > created a

> > > > > > number of pharmacological agents that can produce Jekyll-

> and-

> > > Hyde-

> > > > > > like changes.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > The appetite-suppressors fenfluramine (Pondimin and

> Ionamin)

> > > and

> > > > > > dexfenfluramine (Redux) both act by depleting serotonin

and

> > > may

> > > > > > permanently destroy serotonergic neurons in the brain.

Even

> > > > weight-

> > > > > > loss diets that are extremely low in fat have caused

Hyde-

> > like

> > > > > > behavior patterns in some people.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Severe irritability and aggression have been attributed

to

> > > > > > cholesterol-lowering medications called " statins "

> > > > > > (www.americanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > > articleid=276 & category=4).

> > > > > > Among the best studied of the " statins " are Lopid,

> Questran,

> > > > > Lescol,

> > > > > > Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol. In another study, patients

> > with

> > > low

> > > > > > cholesterol showed hypersensitivity to detecting anger

and

> > > > sadness

> > > > > in

> > > > > > themselves (Penttinen, 1995). Low serotonin levels

appear

> to

> > > be

> > > > > > involved.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > The relationship between alcohol, depression, and

violence

> > is

> > > > well

> > > > > > known. A high proportion of suicide victims are found to

> > have

> > > > been

> > > > > > drinking heavily at the time of their death. Similarly,

> > > > > perpetrators

> > > > > > of violent crimes are often intoxicated when they commit

a

> > > crime

> > > > > > (Murdoch, et al., 1990).

> > > > > >

> > > > > > In animal studies, some drugs that decrease serotonin

> > activity

> > > > > > increase alcohol consumption. When animals are given

drugs

> > > that

> > > > > > enhance serotonin activity (serotonin, tryptophan, 5-HTP

or

> > an

> > > > > SSRI),

> > > > > > they drink less alcohol. Rats that have been bred to

prefer

> > > > > drinking

> > > > > > alcohol to water have been found to have reduced

serotonin

> > > > > activity

> > > > > > compared with normal rats (Pihl, et al., 1993).

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Human studies have consistently demonstrated reduced

> alcohol

> > > > > intake

> > > > > > among various groups, including social drinkers and

alcohol-

> > > > > dependent

> > > > > > males, taking SSRIs (Pihl, et al., 1993). Alcoholics

have

> > also

> > > > > been

> > > > > > shown to have reduced serotonin activity as indicated by

> low

> > > > > levels

> > > > > > of 5-HIAA (LeMarquand, et al., 1994). As alcoholics

> progress

> > > in

> > > > > their

> > > > > > illness, they become less able to control their emotions

> and

> > > > > physical

> > > > > > actions.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Pihl, et al., state that people with low serotonin are

> > > likely " to

> > > > > > appear depressed and aggressive, more driven by

appetites

> > > (more

> > > > > > motivated by food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse), and

> more

> > > > > > impulsive (less able to control behavior) in the face of

> > > threat. "

> > > > > > They may also be more likely to use aggression to

achieve

> > > > rewards.

> > > > > > Specifically with regard to alcohol, decreased serotonin

> may

> > > lead

> > > > > to

> > > > > > an inability to terminate drinking once started. And if

a

> > > person

> > > > > with

> > > > > > low serotonin levels starts drinking, they likely will

> > exhibit

> > > an

> > > > > > increase in aggressive behavior.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > In some people and in some situations medications that

can

> > > > enhance

> > > > > > life can also create unhealthy dispositions. In every

> > > situation,

> > > > > risk

> > > > > > must be measured versus benefit. Because of the

> serotonergic

> > > > > lowering

> > > > > > effects caused by such drugs as the " statins " , for some

the

> > > risks

> > > > > > outweigh the benefits. Mr. Hyde-like problems make there

> use

> > > > > > untenable. In the case of Redux and fenfluramine

(the " fen "

> > in

> > > > fen-

> > > > > > phen), both drugs have been removed from the market in

> great

> > > part

> > > > > due

> > > > > > to the underlying anti-serotonergic effects. The actions

of

> > > > > serotonin

> > > > > > in the brain are not extremely well understood. What

does

> > seem

> > > > > clear

> > > > > > is that alterations of serotonin levels can have far-

> > reaching

> > > > > > cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, MA, PhD (cnuckols@e...) is

President

> of

> > > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols and Associates, LLC, a national and

> > > > > international

> > > > > > training and consulting

> > > > > > organization.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Reference

> > > > > >

http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm

> > > > > > http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > > > > articleid=276 & category=4

> > > > > > http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?

ID=208

> > > > > > Lidberg, L., Tuck, J., Asberg, M., Scalia-Tomba, G.,

> > > Bertilsson,

> > > > > L.

> > > > > > Homicide, suicide and CSF 5-HIAA. Acta Psychiatr Scand.

> > > > > 1985;71:230-

> > > > > > 236.

> > > > > > Murdoch D, Pihl R, Ross D. Alcohol and crimes of

violence:

> > > > present

> > > > > > issues. Int J Addict. 1990;25:1065-1081.

> > > > > > Penttinen J. Hypothesis: low serum cholesterol, suicide,

> and

> > > > > > interleukin-2. Am. J Epidemiol. 1995;141:716-718.

> > > > > > Pihl R, J. Alcohol, serotonin and aggression.

> > Alcohol

> > > > > Health

> > > > > > Res World. 1993;17:113-117.

> > > > > > Placidi, G. P., M. A. Oquendo, K. M. Malone, Y. Y.

Huang,

> S.

> > > P.

> > > > > > Ellis, and J. J. Mann, Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 50,

No.

> > 10,

> > > > > > November 15, 2001, 783-91.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > FAIR USE NOTICE

> > > > > >

> > > > > > This email contains copyrighted material the use of

which

> > has

> > > not

> > > > > > always been specifically authorized by the copyright

owner.

> > I

> > > am

> > > > > > making such material available in my efforts to advance

> > > > > understanding

> > > > > > of environmental, political, human rights, economic,

> > > democracy,

> > > > > > scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such

> > > copyrighted

> > > > > > material as provided for in section 107 of the US

Copyright

> > > Law.

> > > > > In

> > > > > > accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the

material

> in

> > > this

> > > > > > email is distributed without profit to those who have

> > > expressed a

> > > > > > prior interest in receiving the included information

> > > > > > for research and educational purposes. For more

information

> > go

> > > > to:

> > > > > > http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

> > > > > > If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update

> for

> > > > > purposes

> > > > > > of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain

> > > permission

> > > > > > from the copyright owner.

> > > > > > _______________________________________________

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

December 27, 2005

The following website offers at home testing for neurotransmitters

(serotonin) and hormone testing.

http://www.brainchemical.com

Also, the following website explains that serotonin and dopamine of

violent individuals were tested by performing a spinal tap after

fasting. I don't see any mention of " brain samples " .

Serotonin/Dopamine Analyses

Levels of serotonin and dopamine activity in the brain are measured

by lumbar puncture (spinal tap) followed by high-pressure liquid

chromatography (HPLC), electrochemical detection, and a computer-

based data analysis system. The spinal tap is performed in the

morning after overnight bed rest and fast (usually in the infirmary

of a correction facility). Six 1-ml samples of cerebrospinal fluid

(CSF) are drawn from the lumbar region of the spine, immediately

frozen on dry ice, and subsequently stored at -70 degrees.

Concentrations of 5-HIAA (the major serotonin metabolite) and HVA

(the major dopamine metabolite) are measured by electrochemical

detection. These measurements are automatically fed into a computer-

based analysis program to eliminate human error. The mean (average)

concentrations of 5-HIAA and HVA in the defendant's CSF samples

are then compared statistically with the mean concentrations of 5-

HIAA and HVA in CSF obtained from a group of male control subjects

diagnosed as normal at the time of testing. Although there are

alternative methods for measuring serotonin and dopamine activity in

the brain, the method described here is utilized by the majority of

neurobiologists in the field. If the samples are analyzed in

triplicate and the analysis is repeated three times the potential

for error is negligible.

www.nlada.org/DMS/Documents/1066920620.52/serotonin.pdf

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > I would like to know how they are measuring Serotonin

in

> > the

> > > > > brain

> > > > > > or

> > > > > > > body.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > john

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Serotonin and Aggression: " The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

> > > Effect "

> > > > By

> > > > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, PhD

> > > > > > > Louis son's The Strange Case of Dr.

Jekyll

> and

> > > > Mr.

> > > > > > Hyde

> > > > > > > demonstrates that " good " and " evil " can exist within a

> > > single

> > > > > > person.

> > > > > > > As you might remember, Dr. Jekyll ingests a formula

and

> is

> > > > > > > transformed from a mild-mannered English physician

into

> an

> > > > > > > antisocial, violent criminal.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Any formula that interferes with the actions of

> serotonin

> > in

> > > > the

> > > > > > > brain can bring about changes that resemble Jekyll's

> > > > > > transformation

> > > > > > > to Hyde. While less dramatic than the Mr. Hyde effect,

> > > > serotonin

> > > > > > > deficiency can create tendencies toward anxiety,

> > depression,

> > > > out-

> > > > > > of-

> > > > > > > control impulsivity, and violence toward self and

> others.

> > > > > > Considering

> > > > > > > our current understanding of neurochemistry, Jekyll's

> > > formula

> > > > may

> > > > > > > well have contained a potent anti-serotonergic drug

> > > > > > (http://www.life-

> > > > > > > enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=208).

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Researchers have found that violence related to low

> > > serotonin

> > > > > > levels

> > > > > > > can be either inner- or outer-directed. P. Placidi and

> > > > colleagues

> > > > > > > studied 93 individuals suffering from depression.

These

> > > > > > researchers

> > > > > > > found that a higher level of aggression was strongly

> > > > associated

> > > > > > with

> > > > > > > lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-

hydroxyindolacetic

> > > acid

> > > > (5-

> > > > > > > HIAA). 5-HIAA is a major metabolite of serotonin.

Their

> > data

> > > > also

> > > > > > > revealed that lower levels of 5-HIAA were found in

> > > successful

> > > > > > suicide

> > > > > > > attempters (Placidi, et al., 2001).

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > A group of Danish scientists measured levels of 5-HIAA

> in

> > 16

> > > > men

> > > > > > > convicted of homicide, 22 men who attempted suicide

and

> 39

> > > > > healthy

> > > > > > > male controls. The lowest levels of 5-HIAA were found

in

> > > those

> > > > > men

> > > > > > > who had killed a sexual partner or had attempted

suicide

> > > > > (Lidberg,

> > > > > > et

> > > > > > > al., 1985).

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Many studies have found that low serotonin levels are

> > linked

> > > > to

> > > > > > > aggression, alcohol abuse and mental illness. At the

> > > National

> > > > > > > Institutes of Health (NIH) Primate Center in

> Poolesville,

> > > Md.,

> > > > > > > researchers Suomi and Higley studied the link between

> > > > behavior,

> > > > > > > serotonin and environment in rhesus monkeys. They

found

> > that

> > > 5

> > > > to

> > > > > > 10

> > > > > > > percent of monkeys in the wild and laboratory

> populations

> > > have

> > > > > > > elevated impulsivity and aggression. These monkeys

also

> > have

> > > > the

> > > > > > > lowest levels of serotonin when compared to the rest

of

> the

> > > > > > > population. In the lab, they're antisocial,

> inappropriately

> > > > > > > aggressive and will drink to intoxication. In the

wild,

> > > these

> > > > > > monkeys

> > > > > > > seek out danger. They will make risky leaps between

> trees

> > > that

> > > > > > other

> > > > > > > monkeys would never attempt

> > > > > > >

> > (http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm).

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > It has been more than one hundred years since

> son's

> > > > > literary

> > > > > > > masterpiece. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies

> have

> > > > > > created a

> > > > > > > number of pharmacological agents that can produce

Jekyll-

> > and-

> > > > Hyde-

> > > > > > > like changes.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > The appetite-suppressors fenfluramine (Pondimin and

> > Ionamin)

> > > > and

> > > > > > > dexfenfluramine (Redux) both act by depleting

serotonin

> and

> > > > may

> > > > > > > permanently destroy serotonergic neurons in the brain.

> Even

> > > > > weight-

> > > > > > > loss diets that are extremely low in fat have caused

> Hyde-

> > > like

> > > > > > > behavior patterns in some people.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Severe irritability and aggression have been

attributed

> to

> > > > > > > cholesterol-lowering medications called " statins "

> > > > > > > (www.americanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > > > articleid=276 & category=4).

> > > > > > > Among the best studied of the " statins " are Lopid,

> > Questran,

> > > > > > Lescol,

> > > > > > > Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol. In another study,

patients

> > > with

> > > > low

> > > > > > > cholesterol showed hypersensitivity to detecting anger

> and

> > > > > sadness

> > > > > > in

> > > > > > > themselves (Penttinen, 1995). Low serotonin levels

> appear

> > to

> > > > be

> > > > > > > involved.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > The relationship between alcohol, depression, and

> violence

> > > is

> > > > > well

> > > > > > > known. A high proportion of suicide victims are found

to

> > > have

> > > > > been

> > > > > > > drinking heavily at the time of their death.

Similarly,

> > > > > > perpetrators

> > > > > > > of violent crimes are often intoxicated when they

commit

> a

> > > > crime

> > > > > > > (Murdoch, et al., 1990).

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > In animal studies, some drugs that decrease serotonin

> > > activity

> > > > > > > increase alcohol consumption. When animals are given

> drugs

> > > > that

> > > > > > > enhance serotonin activity (serotonin, tryptophan, 5-

HTP

> or

> > > an

> > > > > > SSRI),

> > > > > > > they drink less alcohol. Rats that have been bred to

> prefer

> > > > > > drinking

> > > > > > > alcohol to water have been found to have reduced

> serotonin

> > > > > > activity

> > > > > > > compared with normal rats (Pihl, et al., 1993).

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Human studies have consistently demonstrated reduced

> > alcohol

> > > > > > intake

> > > > > > > among various groups, including social drinkers and

> alcohol-

> > > > > > dependent

> > > > > > > males, taking SSRIs (Pihl, et al., 1993). Alcoholics

> have

> > > also

> > > > > > been

> > > > > > > shown to have reduced serotonin activity as indicated

by

> > low

> > > > > > levels

> > > > > > > of 5-HIAA (LeMarquand, et al., 1994). As alcoholics

> > progress

> > > > in

> > > > > > their

> > > > > > > illness, they become less able to control their

emotions

> > and

> > > > > > physical

> > > > > > > actions.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Pihl, et al., state that people with low serotonin are

> > > > likely " to

> > > > > > > appear depressed and aggressive, more driven by

> appetites

> > > > (more

> > > > > > > motivated by food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse),

and

> > more

> > > > > > > impulsive (less able to control behavior) in the face

of

> > > > threat. "

> > > > > > > They may also be more likely to use aggression to

> achieve

> > > > > rewards.

> > > > > > > Specifically with regard to alcohol, decreased

serotonin

> > may

> > > > lead

> > > > > > to

> > > > > > > an inability to terminate drinking once started. And

if

> a

> > > > person

> > > > > > with

> > > > > > > low serotonin levels starts drinking, they likely will

> > > exhibit

> > > > an

> > > > > > > increase in aggressive behavior.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > In some people and in some situations medications that

> can

> > > > > enhance

> > > > > > > life can also create unhealthy dispositions. In every

> > > > situation,

> > > > > > risk

> > > > > > > must be measured versus benefit. Because of the

> > serotonergic

> > > > > > lowering

> > > > > > > effects caused by such drugs as the " statins " , for

some

> the

> > > > risks

> > > > > > > outweigh the benefits. Mr. Hyde-like problems make

there

> > use

> > > > > > > untenable. In the case of Redux and fenfluramine

> (the " fen "

> > > in

> > > > > fen-

> > > > > > > phen), both drugs have been removed from the market in

> > great

> > > > part

> > > > > > due

> > > > > > > to the underlying anti-serotonergic effects. The

actions

> of

> > > > > > serotonin

> > > > > > > in the brain are not extremely well understood. What

> does

> > > seem

> > > > > > clear

> > > > > > > is that alterations of serotonin levels can have far-

> > > reaching

> > > > > > > cognitive, emotional and behavioral impact.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols, MA, PhD (cnuckols@e...) is

> President

> > of

> > > > > > > Cardwell C. Nuckols and Associates, LLC, a national

and

> > > > > > international

> > > > > > > training and consulting

> > > > > > > organization.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Reference

> > > > > > >

> http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mpilati/psych101/serotonin.htm

> > > > > > > http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/print.asp?

> > > > > > > articleid=276 & category=4

> > > > > > > http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?

> ID=208

> > > > > > > Lidberg, L., Tuck, J., Asberg, M., Scalia-Tomba, G.,

> > > > Bertilsson,

> > > > > > L.

> > > > > > > Homicide, suicide and CSF 5-HIAA. Acta Psychiatr

Scand.

> > > > > > 1985;71:230-

> > > > > > > 236.

> > > > > > > Murdoch D, Pihl R, Ross D. Alcohol and crimes of

> violence:

> > > > > present

> > > > > > > issues. Int J Addict. 1990;25:1065-1081.

> > > > > > > Penttinen J. Hypothesis: low serum cholesterol,

suicide,

> > and

> > > > > > > interleukin-2. Am. J Epidemiol. 1995;141:716-718.

> > > > > > > Pihl R, J. Alcohol, serotonin and aggression.

> > > Alcohol

> > > > > > Health

> > > > > > > Res World. 1993;17:113-117.

> > > > > > > Placidi, G. P., M. A. Oquendo, K. M. Malone, Y. Y.

> Huang,

> > S.

> > > > P.

> > > > > > > Ellis, and J. J. Mann, Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 50,

> No.

> > > 10,

> > > > > > > November 15, 2001, 783-91.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > FAIR USE NOTICE

> > > > > > >

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> > > > am

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> > > > > > > If you wish to use copyrighted material from this

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December 27, 2005