Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters play an important role in brain function. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that relay signals from one neuron to another. The different neurotransmitters have different effects on the postsynaptic cell, which is the second neuron that receives a signal from the first neuron.

A neurotransmitter is a chemical substance that is used to transport signals from one neuron to another.

A neurotransmitter is a chemical substance that's used to transport signals from one neuron to another.

Neurons have many different parts. They have dendrites, cell bodies, axons, and synapses. A neuron’s dendrites receive information from other neurons by way of the neurotransmitters released into the synapse between the two neurons.

There are many different types of neurotransmitter.

There are well over a hundred different kinds of neurotransmitters. Some neurotransmitters are excitatory—that is, they trigger the neuron to fire an action potential—and some are inhibitory: they suppress the firing of action potentials. Let's look at the most common ones that have a direct impact on our states.

Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in many behaviors. It is generally associated with pleasure and reward-seeking, but also with pain avoidance. In fact, dopamine deficiencies can lead to many diseases including Parkinson's disease or schizophrenia.

Acetylcholine

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that transmits signals to your muscles. It’s involved in muscle contractions and movement, as well as memory, learning and focus. Acetylcholine is stored at certain nerve terminals in the brain, where it can be released by an action potential (a wave of electricity).

Adrenaline (Norepinephrine)

Adrenaline is a neurotransmitter that has been linked to stress. It's released when your brain perceives a threat, such as when you're in danger. When adrenaline is released, it helps prepare your body to respond quickly. For example, adrenaline can cause an increase in heart rate so that you can run faster than normal and get away from the danger more quickly.

Gaba

Gaba (also known as gamma-amino butyric acidis) occurs naturally in the body and acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

The primary function of GABA is to inhibit the transmission of nerve impulses. GABA does this by binding to specific sites on the surface of a neuron and preventing the action potential from being transmitted.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, meaning that it helps transmit messages between neurons. Serotonin is used to regulate mood, appetite, sleep and temperature. Low levels of serotonin can cause depression and other mood disorders. When we have healthy levels of serotonin we get the feeling that everything is right in the world.

Conclusion

From here we can see the importance of neurotransmitters to the body. They are chemical messengers that control our brain activity, moods and behavior. Without the right levels of certain neurotransmitters, our bodies wouldn’t be able to function properly. The challenge from here is to find the perfect mix to create the peak states that we want and when we need them.