Sleep Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters act as a switchboard within our brains to toggle between wakefulness and restorative sleep. There are two main neurotransmitters that affect the quality of sleep. We will learn about these as well as others. Dreaming is a necessity for restorative sleep. Each of the chemicals need supported, to be able to do their jobs effectively, and so we can rest and reset as God intended.

Neurotransmitters and Sleep 

Serotonin helps encourage sleep and acts as a building block for melatonin. Melatonin is one of the key chemicals. This chemical should be increasing throughout the night and is responsible for internal body temperature, as well as helping regulate circadian cycles. Dopamine is being reset and refilled for tomorrow while you sleep. GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid is the main calming button for the body. It slows the brain activity as you fall asleep.  The other important chemical is acetylcholine. This messenger becomes most active during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is when you dream.