NEUROTRANSMITTERS are the brain chemicals that communicate information throughout our brains and bodies. They relay signals between nerve cells, called ‘neurons’. The brain uses neurotransmitters to tell your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, and your stomach to digest. They can also affect mood, sleep, concentration, weight, and can cause unwanted symptoms when out of balance. Neurotransmitter levels can be depleted in many ways. In fact, an estimated 86% of Americans have suboptimal neurotransmitter levels. Stress, a poor diet, food allergies and allergies, neurotoxins, genetic predisposition, medicines (prescription and leisure), the alcohol and the use of the caffeine can cause these levels to be out of optimal range. There are two types of neurotransmitters – EXCITATIVE AND INHIBITORY . Excitatory neurotransmitters are not necessarily arousing – they are what stimulate the brain. Those that calm the brain and help create balance are called inhibitors. Inhibitory neurotransmitters balance the brain and are easily depleted when excitatory neurotransmitters are overactive.