10/09/2014
Scientific research involving Morinda citrafolia (NONI)... Research at the University of Hawaii's Biomedical Sciences Department showed that extracts of noni contained a naturally occurring component which activates serotonin receptors in the brain and throughout the body. Serotonin is a neuroendocrine compound which along with its receptors is found in high levels in the brain, the blood platelets and the lining of the digestive tract. It is well established that serotonin is an important brain neurotransmitter, and plays a significant role in temperature regulation, sleep, hunger and sexual behaviour. Serotonin deficiency has been implicated in a number of pathological conditions including migraine headaches, obesity, depression and Alzheimer's disease. Modern pharmaceutical medicine has had some success with the use of serotonin analogues in the treatment of certain diseases. I am sure many of you are familiar with the drug Prozac which is used to treat depression; another is used to treat acute migraine headaches. Both of these synthetic drugs specifically target and bind to serotonin receptors. The problem with both of these substances and with all synthetically manufactured pharmaceuticals which isolate one active ingredient is the great incidents of adverse side effects. Natural products like Morinda citrafolia (Noni) in its unprocessed complete form do not generally have adverse effects. The presence of a wide range of other naturally occurring substances which are present in some way regulates and modifies its effects.