Diet: A Method to Maintain Neurotransmitter Stability Void of Pharmaceuticals

Abstract

Mental health in America has been exacerbating as the country is forming what is known as the "American Mental Health Crisis." During this dreadful period, it is pivotal to develop a sustainable and methodical form of treatment that causes less dependency on pharmaceuticals such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers and even prevents Americans from entertaining an addiction while self-medicating with controlled substances and narcotics such as marijuana, amphetamines and opioids (which are being consumed at an alarmingly expanding rate). One solution being proposed to maintain neurotransmitter stability is dietary discipline, as Depression and Anxiety, along with many other mental illnesses, are attributable to imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA. Even though many people rush to use medications to control this neurotransmitter secretion, a biomedical approach is not suitable for everyone. Since food assists in releasing specific neurotransmitters, where foods either directly contain these neurotransmitters or guide the brain to secrete them, It is suggested to develop a diet that contains a high amount of neurotransmitters to help treat mental disorders such as Depression and Anxiety without medication. This paper aims to assemble the best combination of foods to create an optimal diet for treating mental disorders like Depression and Anxiety.