The Chemistry of Depression

• Dopamine
  • C8H11NO2
• Serotonin
  • C10H12N2O
• Norepinephrine
• Depression Medications
• Stress

Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components

Dopamine affects the neurons that give motivation and habit formation.

Itis a organic chemical that plays several different roles in the brain and body. When you are sad and down your Dopamine is very low which will cause you body to be depressed. Dopamine is mainly found the brain but can also be found in the body. It is made to make a person feel better. The Chemical Component for Dopaminine is C8H11NO2

Determining what levels of Serotonin are shown it can make you feel better or feel worse. Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter. It is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, blood platelets, and the Central Nervous System. Serotonin is made to make a person feel better

The Chemical Component for Serotonine is C10H12N2O.

Chemistry's Role

Dopamine affects the neurons that give motivation and habit formation.

Itis a organic chemical that plays several different roles in the brain and body. When you are sad and down your Dopamine is very low which will cause you body to be depressed. Dopamine is mainly found the brain but can also be found in the body. It is made to make a person feel better. The Chemical Component for Dopaminine is C8H11NO2

Determining what levels of Serotonin are shown it can make you feel better or feel worse. Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter. It is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, blood platelets, and the Central Nervous System. Serotonin is made to make a person feel better

The Chemical Component for Serotonine is C10H12N2O.

Background Research

• Depression is a chemical reaction in the brain that makes you feel down and sad.
• Chemicals such as Dopamine, Serotonin and Norepinephrine are key factors that are involved in cases of depression.
• The Chemicals reactions that cause depression would be the levels of these three chemicals in the brain be lower than usual.
• Components would be Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, and certain prescription medicine that can help someone such as Zoloft, Prozac, ect.

Resources

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-depression-just-bad-chemistry/

• The cause of depression is unknown.
• It may an imbalance of natural chemicals in the human brain.
• Prescription medicine such as Zoloft can help by giving your body the chemicals you need to balance those natural chemicals.
• The amygdala is typically smaller in individuals with depression.
• Studies show that the amygdala, hypothalamus, and anterior cingulate cortex are often less active in depressed people.

https://www.jax.org/news-and-insights/jax-blog/2015/december/happy-or-sad-the-chemistry-behind-depression

• Chronic Stress can cause low serotonin levels in the brain causing Depression
• Studies show sunlight keeps serotonin levels high this could be the cause that individuals are more depressed during the winter months due to the nights lengthening.
• Drugs such as Prozac zoloft, ect can give the individual the uptake for the neurons to produce more serotonin
• Dopamine Levels can also cause depression
• Low dopamine levels make a person feel less interested in completely or trying for a goal
• Dopamine effects the neurons that give motivation and habit formation
• A new drug called Ketamine can start the counteract on depression in just a few hours.
• Although Ketamine hasn't been approved by the FDA so its not proven safe.

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/dopamine#section=Top

• Dopamine Chemical Formula: C8H11NO2

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5202

• Serotonin Chemical Formula: C10H12N2O

http://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/dlp/depression-information/medical-causes-of-depression/

• Individuals are shown to have hormone imbalance in the bloodstream but this is only a side effect.
• When you put off negative thoughts it increase stress hormones making your more emotional

https://universityhealthnews.com/daily/depression/what-causes-depression/

• Norepinephrine regulates arousal, sleep, attention, and mood
• Serotonin, Dopamine, and norepinephrine have been considered the big three neurotransmitters involved in depression.\

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine

• Dopamine is a organic chemical that plays several different roles in the brain and body.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin

• Serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, blood platelets, and the Central Nervous System\
• Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter

https://oli.cmu.edu/jcourse/workbook/activity/page?context=434a8f9e80020ca6012e0a70c3d8052

About the Author

Jake Hageman is a Junior at Billings Senior High School. He enjoys spending his time with his friends and driving around. He does'nt know for sure what his future holds but will continue to search for new things to do.