THOUGHTS AND COMMENTARY
Commentaries and essays on a variety of topics including parenting, the capacity for love, emotions, mindfulness and social issues.
A Book Excerpt From
The Road to Neuroplasticity and Change to Heal Trauma, Improve Cognitive Capacity and Maximize Performance
ABOUT THE BOOK
HORMONES AND NEUROTRANSMITTERS
See Also:
Intro to the Brain and the Power of the Mind
The Power of Thought - Neuroplasticity
Intro to the Brain and the Power of the Mind
- Structure and Composition of Your Brain
- Strange & Interesting Facts on the Brain
- Chemical Messengers- Neurotransmitters
- The Role of Dopamine and Norepinephrine
- Neuroscience Glossary
- 100 Psychology Facts To Blow Your Mind
The Power of Thought - Neuroplasticity
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers. They are a central part of the communication system between the brain and the rest of the body. Neurotransmitters carry messages between nerve cells (or neurons) in the brain and the rest of the central nervous system. The central nervous system is the means by which the brain communicates with the rest of the body. This happens with the spinal column. Since many messages originate at the Neurotransmitter level, they are central to understanding brain disorders.
The brain is a busy communication network with messages relayed from one neuron (brain cell) to the next. There is a gap between neurons called a synapse. In order to pass a message the synapse needs to be filled with a Neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers and each one is responsible for different functions.
The Neurotransmitters act like a key and the receptor sites act like a lock. It takes the right key to open specific locks. If the neurotransmitter is able to work on the receptor site, it triggers changes in the receiving cell.
Neurotransmitters play a major role in everyday life and functioning. Scientists do not yet know exactly how many neurotransmitters exist, but more than 100 chemical messengers have been identified.
Some Neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and dopamine can create both excitatory and inhibitory effects depending upon the type of receptors that are present.
HORMONES AND NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Acetylcholine is the only neurotransmitter in its class. Found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems and found at the neuromuscular junction. Acetylcholine neurotransmission at the neuromuscular junction is essential for skeletal muscle activation. It is associated with motor neurons. It plays a role in muscle movements as well as learning. In the brain, acetylcholine is believed to play a key role in memory.
Adrenaline/Epinephrine: A catecholamine hormone or neurotransmitter. Epinephrine is produced by the adrenal gland and by neurons within the sympathetic nervous system. Epinephrine in the bloodstream acts to increase cardiac output (heart rate, blood pressure), dilate airways, and raise blood glucose levels.
Adenosine acts as a neuromodulator in the brain and is involved in suppressing arousing and improving sleep.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) acts as a neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It affects autonomic control, sensory transduction, and communication with glial cells. Research suggests it may also have a part in some neurological problems including pain, trauma, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Carbon monoxide is produced naturally by the body where it acts as a neurotransmitter that helps modulate the body's inflammatory response.
Catecholamine: An organic molecule that contains a catechol group and a single amine group. In neuroscience, important catecholamines are epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Cortisol: Steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stressors such as infection, sleep deprivation, or trauma. Normal levels of cortisol are important for maintaining glucose levels and blood pressure. Chronically elevated levels of cortisol, on the other hand, can suppress the immune system, increase body weight, and interfere with cognition, among other effects.
Dopamine is important for coordination of body movements, reward, motivation, and additions. Several types of addictive drugs increase dopamine levels in the brain.
Endorphins are neurotransmitters than inhibit the transmission of pain signals and promote feelings of euphoria. These messengers are produced naturally by the body in response to pain, but they can also be triggered by activities like aerobic exercise. For example, a "runner's high" is an example of euphoric feelings generated by endorphins.
Epinephrine is considered both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. Generally, epinephrine (adrenaline) is a stress hormone that is released by the adrenal system. However, it functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) acts as the body's main inhibitory chemical messenger. GABA affects vision, motor control, and contributes role in the regulation of anxiety. Benzodiazepines function by increasing the efficiency of GABA neurotransmitters which increase feelings of relaxation and calm.
Glutamate plays a role in cognitive functions such as memory and learning. Excessive amounts of glutamate can cause excitotoxicity resulting in cellular death. This excitotoxicity is associated with some diseases and brain injuries including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and epileptic seizures.
Glycine: Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the brain and the spinal cord. Glycine is also required along with glutamate to stimulate NMDA receptors, which is a major excitatory system in the brain. Thus, glycine has inhibitory and excitatory actions in the central nervous system.
Histamine acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord. It creates allergic reactions and is produced as part of the immune system’s response to pathogens. Histamine primarily acts as a neuron modulator. Histamine receptor stimulation results in changes in acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin release, and the release of certain peptides. Histamine is also a particularly potent modulator in the hypothalamus, and affects pain processing.
Hormone: A substance that is released by a gland to create a biological effect at another location in the body. For example, thyroid hormone is released by the thyroid gland in the neck to affect the metabolic activity of cells throughout the body. Hormone levels in the blood are tightly regulated under normal circumstances; abnormally high or low levels of hormones in the blood may cause a constellation of signs and symptoms.
Neuron: A nerve cell. A nerve cell collects electrical and/or chemical input and, once conditions are met, can fire an action potential along its axon. The action potential causes the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, which can then act on adjacent neurons. The human brain has about 100 billion neurons arranged in an astonishingly complex network.
Nitric oxide works to smooth muscles, relaxing them to allow blood vessels to dilate and increase blood flow to certain areas of the body.
Norepinephrine is a catecholamine hormone or neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is produced by three separate structures in the body, the adrenal gland, sympathetic nervous system ganglia, and locus coeruleus neurons in the brain. Norepinephrine acting in the systemic circulation or within the sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate and blood pressure, among other functions. In the brain, norepinephrine neurotransmission increases alertness, speed of action, and vigilance. As a neurotransmitter it is important for alertness associated with the body's fight or flight response. It mobilizes the body and brain to take action in danger or stress. Levels of this neurotransmitter are typically lowest during sleep and highest during stress.
Oxytocin is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. It is produced by the hypothalamus and affects social recognition, bonding, and sexual reproduction.
Serotonin regulates and modulates mood, sleep, anxiety, sexuality, and appetite. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, usually referred to as SSRIs, are a type of antidepressant medication commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, panic disorder, and panic attacks. SSRIs work to balance serotonin levels by blocking the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, which can help improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety.
Synapse: Anatomical area where two neurons interact with one another. At a synapse, a (presynaptic) neuron releases chemicals called neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, the space between two neurons. Neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft and interact with receptors of the adjacent (postsynaptic) neuron. The neurotransmitter makes it more or less likely that the adjacent neuron will fire an action potential, depending on whether it is an excitatory or inhibitory neuron, respectively.
DRUGS THAT INFLUENCE NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Drugs are capable of changing the effects of neurotransmitters which can alleviate the symptoms of some diseases.
Agonists vs antagonists: Some drugs are known as agonists and function by increasing the effects of specific neurotransmitters. Other drugs and referred to as antagonists and act to block the effects of neurotransmission.
The brain is a busy communication network with messages relayed from one neuron (brain cell) to the next. There is a gap between neurons called a synapse. In order to pass a message the synapse needs to be filled with a Neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers and each one is responsible for different functions.
The Neurotransmitters act like a key and the receptor sites act like a lock. It takes the right key to open specific locks. If the neurotransmitter is able to work on the receptor site, it triggers changes in the receiving cell.
Neurotransmitters play a major role in everyday life and functioning. Scientists do not yet know exactly how many neurotransmitters exist, but more than 100 chemical messengers have been identified.
- Excitatory neurotransmitters: These types of neurotransmitters have excitatory effects on the neuron, meaning they increase the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential. Some of the major excitatory neurotransmitters include epinephrine and norepinephrine.
- Inhibitory neurotransmitters: These types of neurotransmitters have inhibitory effects on the neuron; they decrease the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential. Some of the major inhibitory neurotransmitters include serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
- Modulatory neurotransmitters: These neurotransmitters are capable of affecting a larger number of neurons at the same time. They also influence the effects of other chemical messengers. Neuromodulators diffuse across a larger area and are slow-acting.
Some Neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and dopamine can create both excitatory and inhibitory effects depending upon the type of receptors that are present.
HORMONES AND NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Acetylcholine is the only neurotransmitter in its class. Found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems and found at the neuromuscular junction. Acetylcholine neurotransmission at the neuromuscular junction is essential for skeletal muscle activation. It is associated with motor neurons. It plays a role in muscle movements as well as learning. In the brain, acetylcholine is believed to play a key role in memory.
Adrenaline/Epinephrine: A catecholamine hormone or neurotransmitter. Epinephrine is produced by the adrenal gland and by neurons within the sympathetic nervous system. Epinephrine in the bloodstream acts to increase cardiac output (heart rate, blood pressure), dilate airways, and raise blood glucose levels.
Adenosine acts as a neuromodulator in the brain and is involved in suppressing arousing and improving sleep.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) acts as a neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It affects autonomic control, sensory transduction, and communication with glial cells. Research suggests it may also have a part in some neurological problems including pain, trauma, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Carbon monoxide is produced naturally by the body where it acts as a neurotransmitter that helps modulate the body's inflammatory response.
Catecholamine: An organic molecule that contains a catechol group and a single amine group. In neuroscience, important catecholamines are epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Cortisol: Steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stressors such as infection, sleep deprivation, or trauma. Normal levels of cortisol are important for maintaining glucose levels and blood pressure. Chronically elevated levels of cortisol, on the other hand, can suppress the immune system, increase body weight, and interfere with cognition, among other effects.
Dopamine is important for coordination of body movements, reward, motivation, and additions. Several types of addictive drugs increase dopamine levels in the brain.
Endorphins are neurotransmitters than inhibit the transmission of pain signals and promote feelings of euphoria. These messengers are produced naturally by the body in response to pain, but they can also be triggered by activities like aerobic exercise. For example, a "runner's high" is an example of euphoric feelings generated by endorphins.
Epinephrine is considered both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. Generally, epinephrine (adrenaline) is a stress hormone that is released by the adrenal system. However, it functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) acts as the body's main inhibitory chemical messenger. GABA affects vision, motor control, and contributes role in the regulation of anxiety. Benzodiazepines function by increasing the efficiency of GABA neurotransmitters which increase feelings of relaxation and calm.
Glutamate plays a role in cognitive functions such as memory and learning. Excessive amounts of glutamate can cause excitotoxicity resulting in cellular death. This excitotoxicity is associated with some diseases and brain injuries including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and epileptic seizures.
Glycine: Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the brain and the spinal cord. Glycine is also required along with glutamate to stimulate NMDA receptors, which is a major excitatory system in the brain. Thus, glycine has inhibitory and excitatory actions in the central nervous system.
Histamine acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord. It creates allergic reactions and is produced as part of the immune system’s response to pathogens. Histamine primarily acts as a neuron modulator. Histamine receptor stimulation results in changes in acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin release, and the release of certain peptides. Histamine is also a particularly potent modulator in the hypothalamus, and affects pain processing.
Hormone: A substance that is released by a gland to create a biological effect at another location in the body. For example, thyroid hormone is released by the thyroid gland in the neck to affect the metabolic activity of cells throughout the body. Hormone levels in the blood are tightly regulated under normal circumstances; abnormally high or low levels of hormones in the blood may cause a constellation of signs and symptoms.
Neuron: A nerve cell. A nerve cell collects electrical and/or chemical input and, once conditions are met, can fire an action potential along its axon. The action potential causes the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, which can then act on adjacent neurons. The human brain has about 100 billion neurons arranged in an astonishingly complex network.
Nitric oxide works to smooth muscles, relaxing them to allow blood vessels to dilate and increase blood flow to certain areas of the body.
Norepinephrine is a catecholamine hormone or neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is produced by three separate structures in the body, the adrenal gland, sympathetic nervous system ganglia, and locus coeruleus neurons in the brain. Norepinephrine acting in the systemic circulation or within the sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate and blood pressure, among other functions. In the brain, norepinephrine neurotransmission increases alertness, speed of action, and vigilance. As a neurotransmitter it is important for alertness associated with the body's fight or flight response. It mobilizes the body and brain to take action in danger or stress. Levels of this neurotransmitter are typically lowest during sleep and highest during stress.
Oxytocin is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. It is produced by the hypothalamus and affects social recognition, bonding, and sexual reproduction.
Serotonin regulates and modulates mood, sleep, anxiety, sexuality, and appetite. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, usually referred to as SSRIs, are a type of antidepressant medication commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, panic disorder, and panic attacks. SSRIs work to balance serotonin levels by blocking the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, which can help improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety.
Synapse: Anatomical area where two neurons interact with one another. At a synapse, a (presynaptic) neuron releases chemicals called neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, the space between two neurons. Neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft and interact with receptors of the adjacent (postsynaptic) neuron. The neurotransmitter makes it more or less likely that the adjacent neuron will fire an action potential, depending on whether it is an excitatory or inhibitory neuron, respectively.
DRUGS THAT INFLUENCE NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Drugs are capable of changing the effects of neurotransmitters which can alleviate the symptoms of some diseases.
Agonists vs antagonists: Some drugs are known as agonists and function by increasing the effects of specific neurotransmitters. Other drugs and referred to as antagonists and act to block the effects of neurotransmission.
- Drugs that can influence neurotransmission include medications used to treat illness including depression and anxiety, such as SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, and benzodiazepines.
- Illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and marijuana also have an effect on neurotransmission. Heroin acts as a direct-acting agonist, mimicking the brain's natural opioids enough to stimulate associated receptors. Cocaine is an example of an indirect-acting drug that influences the transmission of dopamine.
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View Me on Twitter @kairosoflife
See Creativity Chaos - a Creativity Blog by Kai
About | Reprints & Copyrights | Home
© 2019-2020 Copyright Starlight Poetry
VIEW FULL SITE DIRECTORY