Brain neurotransmitters 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 feel pleasure or depression, be active or relaxed.
What are neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters are biochemical substances whose main function is to transmit impulses between neurons. An impulse, in simple terms, means information, for example, a guide to action, if it produces a connection between a neuron in the brain and a neuron in muscle tissue.
That is, a neurotransmitter is an intermediary involved in the transmission of impulses between nerve cells. There are three neurotransmitter systems:
- amino acids;
- peptides;
- monamins.
Mediators from each group affect the nervous system in one way or another. For example, exciting her or slowing down.
Excitatory mediators
| Neurotransmitter | Category | Impacts |
| Glutamic acid | Amino acids |
With the help of 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 |
| Adrenaline | Catecholamines | Adrenaline is called the "stress hormone", as it activates the body if necessary: it increases the heart rate, increases muscle tone, makes a person alert and active, which can lead to anxiety. Adrenaline also has an antiallergic effect |
| Norepinephrine | Catecholamines |
Like adrenaline, noradrenaline helps to survive stress. The substance can contribute to a feeling of rage, a lack of fear. In the absence of a stressful situation, norepinephrine maintains vigor. Norepinephrine allows you to experience a feeling of pleasure after a stressful situation - the so-called relief, relaxation |
Inhibitory neurotransmitters
| Neurotransmitter | Category | Impact |
| GABA | Amino acid | GABAhas an inhibitory effect on nerve cells. The substance is a glumate antagonist, 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 | Monamins | Has a sedative, that is, sedative, hypnotic effect. Histamine is necessary for the body to respond to the penetration of a foreign agent. In other words, histamine triggers an allergic reaction when needed |
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 we imagine two neurons as links of the same circuit, then the neurotransmitter is a way to connect them together.
Pleasure Hormones
Of all the neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine are the most familiar. They are called "pleasure hormones", but not everyone knows what is meant by this term.
Serotonin is indeed the hormone of pleasure. Its high concentration in the body makes a person feel bliss, relaxation, serene joy. That is, it can be classified as a neurotransmitter with an inhibitory effect.
Dopamine, on the contrary, induces a person to action. But its difference from other excitatory neurotransmitters is that it is produced to motivate for activities that will bring pleasure to a person when receiving a result or on the way to it.
The important fact is that these neurotransmitter substances are antagonists. When a person's dopamine levels rise, serotonin falls. For example, a person plans to go in for sports and believes that after training he will experience a feeling of pleasure. An increase in dopamine will encourage a person to immediately begin activities, he will experience anxiety when procrastinating.
After he does what he wants (carries out the planned workout), dopamine levels will drop, and serotonin, on the contrary, will increase. And the person will be able to enjoy the result of the work done.
It is important that the interaction of substances does not work in reverse. That is, a low level of serotonin will not necessarily lead to an increase in dopamine.
Other neurotransmitters
Other hormones and neurotransmitters not listed above should also be considered.
| Acetylcholine | Participates in the process of impulse transmission to muscle tissue |
| Anandamide | Takes a direct part in the formation of pain, depression, apathy, appetite and others |
| Taurine | Has an anticonvulsant and cardiotropic effect |
| Endocannabinoids | Action similar to the functions of acetylcholine and dopamine |
| N-Acetylaspartylglutamate | Participates in the transmission of impulses, one of the most common neurotransmitters in the body |
The action of neurotransmitters such as adenosine triphosphate, vasoactive intestinal peptide and tryptamine has not yet been clarified.
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 amount must be balanced in order for a person to feel good.
For example, when the concentration of serotonin decreases, a person feels unhappy, exhausted, devoid of motivation for any activity. And then a natural 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 in 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, you can use one of the tips below.
- Serotonin levels in the body can be increased through food, with bananas, chocolate, and citruses leading the way.
- There is a known correlation between physical activityhuman and serotonin. A bad mood can be dispelled with the help of a power load on the muscles. But the condition is important: the type of training itself should be pleasant.
- Increased serotonin production occurs in sunlight, so people in countries where the number of clear days prevails over cloudy ones are less likely to experience depression.
- Massage can raise serotonin. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to contact a professional massage therapist with every decrease in mood. Ordinary massagers or a simple manual massage that does not require any skills can help.
Approximately looks like the process of increasing acetylcholine. Doctors recommend enriching your diet with B4 vitamins, exercising regularly and engaging in "brain training" - that is, resorting to interesting intellectual activities.
If simple methods do not help raise the level of neurotransmitters, it is reasonable to see a doctor for pharmacological help.
Regulation of neurotransmitters by drugs
It is known that many mental and psychosomatic diseases are nothing but unbalanced neurotransmitters. Drugs allow you to compensate for the deficiency of some neurotransmitters and reduce the concentration of others.
But the important thing is that all these drugs are strictly forbidden to take on their own. Firstly, all these drugs have a lot of similar effects, and secondly, they require a long course of treatment. And finally, before prescribing a drug, you needfind out which neurotransmitter is produced in an amount that is not within the normal range.
Thus, a neurotransmitter is a substance whose importance cannot be underestimated. 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 neurotransmitters in the nervous system.
