Part I
In this series, we will be looking at the relationship between giftedness, highly sensitive physiology and neurotransmitters. We will look at these topics with a focus on supporting the mental, emotional, and physical health of gifted individuals through natural means, including nutrition, supplementation, emotional care, and lifestyle considerations.
Giftedness & High Sensitivity
A study by Elke van Hoof in 2015 indicated that 87% of gifted individuals are also highly sensitive. (1)
Note that giftedness and high sensitivity are not the same thing. In fact, most people with high sensitivity are not gifted.
Giftedness typically refers to individuals who have exceptional intellectual abilities, such as high IQ scores or advanced academic skills, in one or more areas. Gifted individuals often display exceptional creativity, problem-solving skills, and memory abilities, and may also have advanced social and emotional abilities.
High sensitivity, on the other hand, refers to a heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli, including sensory input, emotional cues, and social interactions, as well as the deeper processing and integration of all this information by the brain. The receipt of higher levels of sensory input, combined with the deeper processing and integration of that input, results in heightened levels of awareness, understanding, and insight. Additionally, individuals with high sensitivity may be more prone to experiencing strong emotions, such as anxiety and empathy, and may be more easily overwhelmed by stimuli that others find manageable.
Clarifying High Sensitivity
Dr. Elaine Aaron brought the reality of “high sensitivity” to the public in 1999 when she published The Highly Sensitive Person. This evolutionary approach to life is found in over 100 species across the animal kingdom. (2)
But what is “high sensitivity” exactly?
In general parlance, to say someone is “highly sensitive” can carry a negative connotation implying the person is “difficult,” “touchy,” or “delicate.” In truth, high sensitivity as discussed here is a series of measurable differences in physiology producing a heightened awareness of both internal and external environments. These subtle physiological adjustments have been selected for over time and produce an evolutionary approach to life that differs from the rest of the population.
Highly Sensitive Physiology
Describing someone as having “Highly Sensitive Physiology” rather than labeling them a “Highly Sensitive Person” can help communicate that features of high sensitivity are not merely personality traits or purely emotional. Individuals with this physiology carry an evolutionary approach to life selected over time and across species.
The fact that highly sensitive physiology is a significant and positive natural phenomenon can be a helpful context when addressing its more challenging aspects. For example, there is a wealth of information indicating that people with highly sensitive physiology can make exceptional leaders. (3)
The Costs of Sensitivity – Neurotransmitter Insufficiency
There is some evidence suggesting that people with highly sensitive physiology may be prone to neurotransmitter insufficiency. Neurotransmitters transmit signals between nerve cells, and imbalances can significantly impact mental and physical health.
One study published in Biological Psychiatry found that people with highly sensitive physiology (as measured by the Highly Sensitive Person Scale) had lower levels of dopamine in certain brain areas, which could increase risk for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. (4)
Another study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found highly sensitive individuals had lower serotonin levels, which is associated with mood regulation, than less sensitive individuals. (5)
Research also indicates that highly sensitive individuals may be more susceptible to the effects of stress and trauma, which can deplete neurotransmitter levels over time.
Stress & Neurotransmitter Insufficiency
Stress and trauma can deplete neurotransmitter levels through several mechanisms. One major mechanism is activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s main stress response system.
When the HPA axis is activated, the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), stimulating the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH then stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol, a hormone that helps the body cope with stress.
While cortisol can be helpful short-term, chronic stress and trauma can lead to chronically elevated cortisol levels, which negatively affect neurotransmitter systems. Cortisol has been shown to reduce synthesis and release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, important for mood regulation and motivation.
Additionally, chronic stress and trauma can lead to brain inflammation, which disrupts neurotransmitter function. Inflammation can increase oxidative stress, damaging neurons and impairing neurotransmitter synthesis and release.
Overall, chronic stress and trauma can negatively affect neurotransmitter function, contributing to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Challenging Combinations
The combination of high sensitivity and giftedness can create a complex mix of chemical, emotional, mental, and social challenges affecting well-being over time. This series will examine the challenges gifted individuals face, how these manifest physiologically, and how to support gifted and highly sensitive individuals through natural approaches including nutrition, supplementation, emotional care, and lifestyle considerations.
The Good News
Awareness is growing that the bodies of gifted and highly sensitive people are designed by nature and evolution to operate differently than the rest of the population. Acceptance of this reduces pressure to force gifted and highly sensitive individuals to fit into systems not designed for them.
New structures are emerging that allow gifted and highly sensitive individuals to embrace strengths and abilities as well as unique needs and vulnerabilities. Parents, educators, and therapists will find that one effective support is to avoid over-stressing a physiology that runs “hot” by design.
References
- 2015, Elke van Hoof
- https://hsperson.com
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140903182945-1552470-3-reasons-hsps-make-better-leaders/
- Acevedo, B. P., Aron, E. N., Pospos, S., & Jessen, D. (2019). The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others’ emotions. Biological Psychiatry, 86(11), 891-897. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.06.009
- Luebbe, A. M., Bell, D. J., Allwood, M. A., Swenson, L. P., & Early, M. C. (2016). Social information processing and the serotonin transporter in individuals with chronic peer difficulties. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 110(4), 489-505. doi: 10.1037/pspp0000054
Stress & Neurotransmitter Insufficiency Section
- McEwen, B. S. (2012). Brain on stress: How the social environment gets under the skin. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(Supplement 2), 17180-17185. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1121254109
- Gold, P. W., & Chrousos, G. P. (2002). Organization of the stress system and its dysregulation in melancholic and atypical depression: High vs low CRH/NE states. Molecular Psychiatry, 7(3), 254-275. doi: 10.1038/sj.mp.4001032
- McEwen, B. S. (2015). The brain on stress: Toward an integrative approach to brain, body, and behavior. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(6), 663-666. doi: 10.1177/1745691615598507
- Ménard, C., Hodes, G. E., & Russo, S. J. (2016). Pathogenesis of depression: Insights from human and rodent studies. Neuroscience, 321, 138-162. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.05.053
- Haroon, E., & Miller, A. H. (2017). Inflammation effects on brain glutamate in depression: Mechanistic considerations and treatment implications. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, 31, 173-198. doi: 10.1007/7854_2016_33
