Serotonin in the brain
Current research has shown that eating disorders are a type of brain disorder. Chemical substances that send nerve impulses to and from different parts of the brain are called neurotransmitters. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. Serotonin partially controls mood, appetite, eating behaviors, and the capability to manage impulses. Problems with serotonin in the brain are often seen in people with eating disorders and depression. Studies show that people with anorexia have excess serotonin in their brains. It is thought that these unusual serotonin levels contribute to anxiety and reduce appetite. Some researchers believe that anorexics become addicted to starving themselves because it decreases serotonin activity, thus decreasing anxiety.
Some people with bulimia also have unusual serotonin activity. Researchers suggest that the serotonin changes a persons mood, leading to depression, which causes them to binge. Binge eating may also be a way for some people to balance their serotonin activity.
Some people with bulimia also have unusual serotonin activity. Researchers suggest that the serotonin changes a persons mood, leading to depression, which causes them to binge. Binge eating may also be a way for some people to balance their serotonin activity.
dopamine in the brain
Another neurotransmitter that deals with mood and appetite is dopamine. Dopamine contributes to attention and learning as well. High amounts of dopamine can cause people to be obsessive, perfectionist, and distressed. Low amounts of dopamine are known to make people depressed and unable to enjoy life. Research shows that anorexics often have increased dopamine activity. They may not find eating satisfying, because their brains are making too much dopamine already. People with bulimia and binge-eating disorders also have abnormal dopamine activity. It has been discovered that foods that are high in fat or sugar can cause failure of the dopamine system. After overeating, the brain begins to rely on food for dopamine. This can lead to an addiction to food.
brain circuits
A study conducted in 2009 shows that the way the brain and its circuits respond to stress may be a factor in eating disorders. During this experiment, women with and without bulimia had to complete a complicated and baffling task. During the exercise, their brain activity was monitored through functional magnetic resonance imagery (fMRI). fMRI is a medical procedure that measures brain activity by focusing on blood flow within the brain. It was found that the bulimic women acted impulsively and made many mistakes. Women without bulimia had more self-control and focus. The bulimic womens' disability to function normally was probably caused by failure of brain circuits.