Neurotransmitters of the brain are substances that we know little about, but which affect the quality of our lives, our well-being and mood. Thanks to them, we can experience a sense of pleasure or depression, be active or relaxed.
What are neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters are biochemical substances whose main function is the transmission of impulses between neurons. Impulse, in simplified language, means information, for example, a guide to action, if it makes a connection between a brain neuron and muscle tissue neuron.
That is, the neurotransmitter is an intermediary involved in the transfer of momentum between nerve cells. There are three neurotransmitter systems:
- amino acids;
- peptides;
- monamines.
Mediators from each group act on the nervous system in one way or another. For example, exciting her or braking.
Exciting Plectrum
Neurotransmitter | Category | Impacts |
Glutamic acid | Amino acids | Using glutamate, more than half of all nerve impulses in the brain are transmitted. Glutamic acid supplies cells with energy, promotes the formation of other substances, including neurotransmitters |
Aspartic acid | Amino acids | Aspartate improves concentration, which is necessary for the perception of new information in the learning process. Acid is involved in the production of sex hormones and growth hormone |
Adrenalin | Catecholamines | Adrenaline is called a “stress hormone”, as it activates the body if necessary: it helps increase heart rate, increases muscle tone, makes a person alert and active, which can lead to anxiety. Adrenaline also has anti-allergic effects. |
Norepinephrine | Catecholamines | Like adrenaline, norepinephrine helps to survive stress. The substance may contribute to a feeling of rage, lack of fear. In the absence of a stressful situation, norepinephrine supports vigor. Norepinephrine allows you to experience a feeling of pleasure after a stressful situation - the so-called relief, discharge |
Inhibitory neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitter | Category | Impact |
GABA | Amino acid | GABA has an inhibitory effect on nerve cells. The substance is an antagonist of glutamate, their balance in the body is 60/40 in favor of glutamate. With this ratio, a person feels cheerful, but calm. |
Glycine | Amino acid | The inhibitory effect of glycine is due to a decrease in the production of "activating" neurotransmitters |
Histamine | Monamines | It has a sedative, that is, a sedative, hypnotic effect. Histamine is essential for the body to respond to the penetration of a foreign agent. In other words, histamine causes an allergic reaction if necessary. |
It is important to understand that a neurotransmitter is a substance that is primarily necessary for the transmission of nerve impulses, that is, information. If you imagine two neurons as links of one chain, then the neurotransmitter is a way to connect them together.
Hormones of pleasure
Of all the neurotransmitters, the most familiar are serotonin and dopamine. They are called "hormones of pleasure," but not everyone knows what is meant by this term.
Serotonin is indeed a hormone of pleasure. Its high concentration in the body causes a person to feel bliss, relaxation, and serene joy. That is, it can be attributed to the category of neurotransmitters with an inhibitory effect.
Dopamine, by contrast, induces a person to act. But its difference from other exciting neurotransmitters is that it is developed for motivation for activities that will bring a person pleasure when receiving a result or on the way to it.
Important is the fact that these neurotransmitter substances are antagonists. When a person rises dopamine levels, serotonin drops. For example, a person plans to go in for sports and believes that after training he will feel a sense of pleasure. An increase in dopamine will prompt a person to immediately start an activity, he will experience anxiety during procrastination.
After he accomplishes what he wants (accomplishes the planned workout), the dopamine level will drop, and serotonin, on the contrary, will increase. And a person can enjoy the result of the work done.
It is important that the interaction of substances does not work in the reverse order. That is, a low level of serotonin will not entail an increase in dopamine without fail.
Other neurotransmitters
Other hormones and neurotransmitters not listed in the classification above also need to be considered.
Acetylcholine | Participates in the process of transferring momentum to muscle tissue |
Anandamide | It is directly involved in the processes of pain, depression, apathy, appetite and others |
Taurine | It has anticonvulsant and cardiotropic effects. |
Endocannabinoids | The action is similar to the functions of acetylcholine and dopamine |
N-acetylaspartyl glutamate | Participates in the transmission of impulses, one of the most common neurotransmitters in the body |
The effects of neurotransmitters such as adenosine triphosphate, vasoactive intestinal peptide and tryptamine have not yet been clarified.
The number of neurotransmitters in the body
Understanding what neurotransmitters are, the functions of these substances and their role in the body, it becomes obvious that their number must be balanced in order for a person to feel good.
For example, when the concentration of serotonin decreases, the person feels unhappy, exhausted, lacking motivation for any activity. And then a logical question arises: is it possible to influence the number of mediators of the nervous system in the body?
Regulation of the number of neurotransmitters
The most common substance, the amount of which the body is trying to influence in various ways, is the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Is it possible to increase its amount in the body? Quite. To do this, use one of the tips below.
- The level of serotonin in the body can be increased with food, while bananas, chocolate and citruses are the leaders in the list of foods and dishes.
- A correlation between the physical activity of a person and serotonin is known. A bad mood can be dispelled with the help of a force load on the muscles. But an important condition is: the type of training itself should be enjoyable.
- Increased production of serotonin occurs in the sunlight, therefore, in residents of countries where the number of clear days prevails over cloudy, depression is less common.
- Raise serotonin can massage. In this case, it is not necessary to contact a professional massage therapist with every decrease in mood. Ordinary massagers or simple manual massage, which does not require any skills, can help.
An approximate way looks and the process of increasing acetylcholine. Doctors recommend enriching your diet with B4 vitamins, exercise regularly and engage in “brain training” - that is, resort to interesting intellectual activities.
If simple methods do not help raise the level of neurotransmitters, there is a reason to consult a doctor for pharmacological assistance.
Regulation of neurotransmitters with drugs
It is known that many mental and psychosomatic illnesses are nothing but unbalanced neurotransmitters. The drugs can compensate for the deficiency of some neurotransmitters and reduce the concentration of others.
But it is important that all these drugs are strictly forbidden to take on their own. Firstly, all these drugs have many similar effects, and secondly, they require a long course of treatment. And finally, before prescribing a drug, you need to figure out which neurotransmitter is produced in an amount that is not within the normal range.
Thus, a neurotransmitter is a substance whose importance is difficult to underestimate. Knowing the role of mediators in the body, you can understand the reasons for your well-being and work to improve the quality of life by influencing the number of mediators of the nervous system.