The following post is just food for thinking. I wonder about serotonin, a neurotransmettor.
Bill Tillier’s text mentions the role of serotonin in creative individuals’ mood.
As a matter of fact, by reading numerous other documents, I came to think that this neurotransmettor might be interesting to focus on regarding difficulties endured by gifted pelple.
In short, herafter are on one side some positive effects of serotonine; and on the other side the difficulties gifted currently face.
| Positive effects of serotonine | Encountered difficulties |
| Mood regulation | Mood swings , depression |
| Eased sleep | Insomnias |
| Eating moderation | Eating disorders (boulimia / anorexia) |
| Decrease in impulsivity | Impulsivity |
| Decrease in agressivity | Irritability |
| Moderation of antisocial behaviors | Reduced social abilities |
What to look for ? I do not know.
After all my readings, I would think that gifted individuals are serotonin low carriers. But this statement is not enough as innate and acquired features are mixed. Evidence of this has been emphasized in the following study : Violence and Serotonin: Influence of Impulse Control, Affect Regulation, and Social Functioning – dated 2002.
I think important to know that this fragility exists (genetic dysfunctioning of serotonin neuron) so that it can be taken into account and explored.
Medication and especially RSSI are a good answer to this fragility, as presented in Bill Tillier’s text, as does Mg Gill University on its web site (it even evokes the positive effects of Prozac, which could facilitate the development of completely new neurons in the damaged by stress and depression hippocampus !)
Diet and healthy lifestyle are however another good answer to this fragility. When one knows why better eat such or such food (to have a meaningful eating lifestyle) it seems to me that it eases the implementation of the diet. For example, it might make swallowing a daily fish oil ration easier… The precursor of serotonine : tryptophane can, as a matter of fact, be found in food. However, beware of not playing with dietary supplements.
Beware of serotonin in excess ! – the serotonin syndrom exists and can be dangerous !
By surfing in the web, I went to discover some studies which emphazise on the effects of serotonin. They drew my attention as they were mentioning some key words of my study regarding giftedness ( in a jumble : depression, suicide, autoimmune diseases, epilepsia, testosterone, insomnias, creativity; ADHD…)
Around depression
As of 1994, Barry L. Jacobs stated a link between Serotonin and Depression in a communication called : « Serotonin, Motor Activity and Depression-Related Disorders” – document mentioned in Bill Tillier’s text . Page 462 : « One of the most notable findings is that the major metabolite of serotonin (5-HIAA) appears to be significantly reduced in the cerebrospinal fluid of suicidally depressed patients. Our own studies suggest that serotonin neurons may be centrally involved in the pysiological abnormality that underlies depression-related disorders.
[…] Depression is frequently associated with motor retardation and cognitive impairment. If serotonin neurons are not facilitating tonic motor activity, then it should not be surprising that depressed patients feel listless and often appear to require enormous effort merely to raise themselves out of bed.
[…] The activity of serotonin neurons may also be central to the manifestation of obsessive-compulsive disorders. Since our results show that repetitive motor acts increase serotonin neuronal activity, patients with this disorder may be engaging in repetitive rituals such as hand washing or pacing as a means of self medication […] (the same may be true for repetitive obsessional thoughts but this is obviously difficult to test in animals).
[…] Our studies suggest that regular motor activity may be important in the treatment of affective disorders […] An increase in tonic motor activity or some form of repetitive motor task, such as riding a bicycle or jogging may, may help to relieve the depression.[…] This does not mean that exercise is a panacea for depressive disorders.
Page 463 (Conclusion) As a final note, the brain serotonin system may be involved in non clinical aspects of human behavior. Why do some people endlessly engage in rhythmic leg bouncing ? What is rewarding about a chewing gum ? What underlies the therapeutic or reinforcing effects of breathing exercises , and the twirling or dancing movements employed by various cults and religious groups ? The reader can probably think of other behaviors that increase serotonin in his or her brain.”
… Do you know that there is a link between serotonin and drug ? especially between sérotonin and LSD ?….
… To my eyes, this helps to better understand some addictive behaviors, this need of reinsurance by escaping from a world that hurts, the famous « artificial paradises” described by Charles Baudelaire.
To explore further :
“Serotonin and drug reward: focus on 5-HT2C receptors“ – European Journal of Pharmacology 480 (2003) 151– 162
“Depression, osteoporosis, serotonin and cell membrane viscosity between biology and philosophical anthropology“.Institute ‘Paolo Sotgiu’ Quantitative and Evolutionary Psychiatry and Cardiology, L,U,De,S, University, Lugano, Switzerland – Mars 2011 –
Full text of the study (published march 2011) in which the importance of serotonin in the osteoporosis process is emphasized.
Around creativity and schizophrenia
Creativity and personality already quoted in my post regarding the Low Latent Inhibition mechanism.
Around autism and epilepsia
Serotonin in autism and pediatric epilepsies – Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan – Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev. 2004.-
Around autoimmune diseases (asthma is here considered)
Corticosteroids, depression and the role of serotonin – Pretorius E. University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Around impulsivity and ADHD
The Testosterone-Serotonin Link – Be’er Yaakov Mental Health Center, Magen Prison, Ramleh, Israel. Isr Med Assoc J. 2003. Full text
Genetics of emotion – Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. – 2011
Hereafter some very technical documents I am unable to read although I have the feeling that they might be interesting for a better understanding of what giftedness is “made” of.
– The molecular biology of memory storage : a dialogue between genes and synapses – Eric R. Kandel – M/S : médecine sciences, vol. 19, n° 5, 2003, p. 625-633
– Bipolar Affective Disorder – A guide to Recovery– OBAD (Organization for Bipolar Affective Disorders) Canada 2010
– Selective p38α MAPK Deletion in Serotonergic Neurons Produces Stress Resilience in Models of Depression and Addiction – Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA – Août 2011
[1] Waow ! You’ve been through the whole post ! Then maybe you don’t remember what this footnote means… This was all about the scientific ground for daily swallowing fish oil….
Reshaping the Human Condition Exploring Human Enhancement – Rathenau Institute, The Hague 2008 Page 161
Giftedness and ADHD – Judith Safford – 2006
Neuroscience and Education: Issues and Opportunities – A Commentary by the Teaching and Learning Research Programme – British Teaching & Learning Research Program / Economic & Social Research Program – 2008
Visual dyslexia : Vision, audition, balance, magnocells, genes, antibodies and fish! John Stein, Magdalen College, Oxford, UK – Supported by The Dyslexia Research Trust (www.dyslexic.org.uk), EsmeeFairbairn& Garfield Weston Trusts, BBC Children in Need – 2004