Hi all,

I'm trying to determine how bipolar effects the brain. If you look at studies done with medications they seem to know how it works in the brain, but not as much for bipolar.

Is bipolar mania (and subsequent depression) caused from too much dopamine, or too many dopamine receptors, or is it serotonin related?

For my mania, I believe it is purely related to too much dopamine production at once, because my problems seem to most resemble those of people on early stages of meth use. With meth they have determined that it causes extra production of dopamine.

As for drugs, the most effective I have taken is Zyprexa. It seems to do a good job of slowing my mind down to a manageable level. I tried Abilify but I think the side effects were bothersome.

Is there any experts on what bipolar mania is caused by and what causes bipolar depression? I believe bipolar depression develops from overstimulation and subsequent withdraw/decline. I could be wrong.

Wish there was as much study done on bipolar influences in the brain as there is on illicit drugs.