dopamine) is one of the most important factors determining hypothalamic
sensitivity and homeostatic balance. The Catecholamine receptors decline with
age and are damaged both by the toxic effects of emotional repression, stress and
the extreme chemistry like kundalini awakenings or trauma. Because kundalini
represents increased metabolism and nerve transmission we should consider all the
various aging mechanisms during an awakening and supplement accordingly. As
such the protocol outlined in Dr. Dean’s articles on receptor recovery constitute
one of the main ways that we can recover from a kundalini surge and to substantiate
higher homeostasis. In this way we can gain the benefits of kundalini without
enduring harm. In addition to a low-glycemic diet and exercise, we have to fight
free radical damage to our cell membranes, conserve hormone and neurotransmitter
receptor sensitivity, rebuild hormone and neurotransmitter levels after the peak
and restore the four homeostats.
Three ways of enhancing catecholamine metabolism:
1: receptor repair— Free radicals cause cross-linked AGEs, reduced cell
membrane fluidity as well as the loss of number and sensitivity of receptors, this
upsets the balance of hormones and neurotransmitters. Since kundalini is a highly
excited state we can expect overwork of our glutamate and catecholamine systems
and consequently to our neuroinhibiting receptor mechanisms as well—i.e.:
GABA, serotonin, acetylcholine, glycine and opiate receptors.
2: Use Precusors—One way to balance neurotransmitters in the brain is to use
neurotransmitter precursors like the amino acids: Tyrosine, phenylalanine, GABA,
tryptophan and 5-HTP to normalize neurotransmitter levels. Dilman demonstrated
that appropriate use of these substances restores hypothalamic sensitivity. The
amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine increase the synthesis of catecholamine
neurotransmitters.
3: inhibit transmitter breakdown—The enzyme Monoamine oxidase (MAO)
catalyzes the breakdown of epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine. MAO
levels increase with age thus increasing the degradation of these stimulating
neurotransmitters, in favor of the inhibitory, serotonergic neurotransmitters, altering
the balance of the dopaminergic/adrenergic to serotonergic neurotransmitters. One
way to conserve catecholamine power as we age is to use the MAO-B inhibitor
Deprenyl.
recePtor recoVerY—Following are some supplements Dr. Dean suggests
for increasing receptor sensitivity. They all have multiple mechanisms of action,
without toxicity: Ginkgo biloba, Goat’s rue, Alpha Lipoic, Acetyl-L-Carnitine,
Cinnamon Extract, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), Phosphatidylserine, Acetyl-
l-Carnitine (ALC), Tribulus terrestris, Chaste Berry, Forskolin, Chromium
picolinate, Vanadyl Sulfate, Essential Fatty Acids (EFA), Tryptophan, (5-HTP),
Blueberries, Spinach, Strawberries, Succinic acid, Calcium-2 AEP, Black Cohosh.
For details see Neuroendocrine Theory Of Aging, Part II: Adaptive Homeostat
Dysfunction, Ward Dean, M.D. http://vrp.com/art/1666.asp