I found this excellent article while researching neurotransmitters and fibromyalgia: http://aboutmecfs.org/Rsrch/FibromyalgiaICNS.aspx I was particularly interested in the part where it describes glutamate and magnesium affecting the pain levels being transmitted.
"The signal for muscle pain travels via two types of nerve fibers to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, where it prompts them to release pro-pain substances such as substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Substance P is a sensitizer; when it is it released into the neurons of the spinal cord it makes their NMDA receptors hypersensitive to glutamate, when released into the tissues surrounding a wound it makes them more sensitive to stimuli.
NMDA receptor activation and the concomitant release of pro-pain substances such as substance P (SP), nerve growth factor (NGF), brain derived nerve factor (BDNF), and nitric oxide is believed to drive the process of central sensitization. A recent text stated that the ‘recruitment of the NMDA receptor appears to be the pivotal event in increasing the sensitivity of the nociceptive (pain) spinal circuits to (painful stimuli)'. This is believed to occur when repetitive pain stimuli knock the magnesium block off the NMDA receptors."
Very interesting and explains why MSG affects me so badly! If I eat it I do feel like my nerve cells are going haywire and firing too much. I'll continue to investigate this issue. . .
"The signal for muscle pain travels via two types of nerve fibers to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, where it prompts them to release pro-pain substances such as substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Substance P is a sensitizer; when it is it released into the neurons of the spinal cord it makes their NMDA receptors hypersensitive to glutamate, when released into the tissues surrounding a wound it makes them more sensitive to stimuli.
NMDA receptor activation and the concomitant release of pro-pain substances such as substance P (SP), nerve growth factor (NGF), brain derived nerve factor (BDNF), and nitric oxide is believed to drive the process of central sensitization. A recent text stated that the ‘recruitment of the NMDA receptor appears to be the pivotal event in increasing the sensitivity of the nociceptive (pain) spinal circuits to (painful stimuli)'. This is believed to occur when repetitive pain stimuli knock the magnesium block off the NMDA receptors."
Very interesting and explains why MSG affects me so badly! If I eat it I do feel like my nerve cells are going haywire and firing too much. I'll continue to investigate this issue. . .