Every thought, every feeling, every action that we, as humans, experience requires the interaction of these chemicals. Neurotransmitters work with receptors in our brains to produce these thoughts, feelings and actions.
Just like hormones govern many chemical functions in the body, the brain's chemical functions are governed by "neurotransmitters."
Neurotransmitters are small molecules whose function is to transmit nerve signals (impulses) from one nerve cell (neuron) to another. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers which neurons use to tell other neurons that they have received an impulse.
The human brain is very capable of automatically manufacturing the quantity of chemicals it needs IF it is given the raw materials (nutrients from foods) to do so.
Our brain is sometimes compared to a computer. Like a computer, your brain needs energy. Plug your computer into the wall, push a button, and it will get the power it needs to run. Pull the plug and it will shut down.
Unlike a computer, your brain has no off switch. Even when you are asleep, your brain is active.
Your brain operates in a different way. It gets its energy in the form of glucose from the food you eat. Your diet also provides essential materials, such as vitamins and minerals, for proper brain function.
However, normal diet does not supply enough of the raw materials the brain needs to manufacture enough neurotransmitters. Additionally, stress, worry, depression, emotional ups and downs, drugs, alcohol, poor nutrition, pollution and other factors of modern life are known to deplete neurotransmitter levels.
The adult human brain weighs between 1300 g and 1400 g (approximately 3 lbs). A neuron is a nerve cell. The brain is made up of approximately 100 billion neurons.
Neurons are similar to other cells in the body in some ways such as:
- Neurons are surrounded by a membrane.
- Neurons have a nucleus that contains genes.
- Neurons contain cytoplasm, mitochondria and other "organelles".
However, neurons differ from other cells in the body in some ways such as:
Neurons have specialized projections called dendrites and axons. Dendrites bring information to the cell body and axons take information away from the cell body.
Neurons communicate with each other through an electrochemical process.
Neurons form specialized connections called "synapses" and produce special chemicals called "neurotransmitters" that are released at the synapse.
Your brain allows you to ride a bike, read a book, laugh at a joke, and remember your friend's phone number.
Your brain controls your emotions, appetite, sleep, heart rate, and breathing. Your brain is who you are and everything you will be.
A shortage of neurotransmitters, or, if your neurotransmitters are "out of balance", you and your brain will not function normally.
In other words, your brain is not getting the proper engery so that you can be you.
This engery comes from sources of vitamins, minerals and amino acids which fuels the brain so that your body can produce neurotransmitters. We normally get these from our food, or with nutritional supplements. If our food doesn't give us enough of these ingredients then we need supplementation.
There are many different neurotransmitters - some trigger the receiving
The following is an partial list of neurotransmitters:
- Serotonin: If your serotonin is low or out of balance, you could suffer from depression and anxiety. Most of todays depression medications target the serotonin in your brain. Click Here to learn more about Serotonin!
- Dopamine: Dopamine is know as the "feel good Neurotransmitter". It also helps you to be focused. Many of the drugs given for AD/HD target Dopamine and Norepinephrine. Click Here for more information on Dopamine!
- Norepinephrine: Found in the sympathetic nervous system.
which stimulates the heart, blood vessels, sweat glands, the large internal organs, and the adrenal medulla in the brain.
Like dopamine, norepinephrine has a stimulating effect, fosters alertness, and plays an important regulatory role in long-term memory and learning. It also protects endorphins from being broken down prematurely. Click Here for more information on Norepinephrine!
- GABA: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the most important and the abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain (it's actually an amino acid classified as a neurotransmitter). It helps induce relaxation and sleep. Click Here for more information on GABA!
- Enkephalins: One of the three major families of endogenous opioid peptides. The enkephalins are pentapeptides that are widespread in the central and peripheral nervous systems and in the adrenal medulla. Enkephalins functions in Psychological Pain Relief. Click Here for more information on Enkephalins!
