Impact of Neurotransmitters on Physical and Mental Behavior free essay sample

Impact of Neurotransmitters on Physical and Mental Behavior Physiological Psychology November 20, 2011 Neurotransmitters are powerful chemicals that regulate numerous physical and emotional processes such as mental performance, emotional states and pain response. Virtually all functions in life are controlled by neurotransmitters. They are the brain’s chemical messengers. Interactions between neurotransmitters, hormones, and the brain chemicals have a profound influence on overall health and well-being. When our concentration and focus is good, we feel more directed, motivated, and vibrant. Unfortunately, if neurotransmitter levels are inadequate these energizing and motivating signals are absent and we feel more stressed, sluggish, and out of control. I’ve found four specific neurotransmitters that I’d like to write about, two because they affect me personally and the other two because they interest me. I take medications that impact both the GABA and Serotonin neurotransmitters and Dopamine and Norepinephrine because I find them fascinating. GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. We will write a custom essay sample on Impact of Neurotransmitters on Physical and Mental Behavior or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It helps neurons recover after transmission and reduces anxiety and stress. GABA is considered a significant pain and moon regulator. As a personal experience with GABA, I take Klonopin for anxiety, which works on many receptors, including GABA to reduce stress, and another medication, Gabapentin (Neurontin is the generic name) for sciatic spasms, showing how neurotransmitters can affect different types of systems in the body. Serotonin is the other Neurotransmitter I have personal experience with, as I’ve been on medications called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) since the age of 13. Currently I take Cymbalta, which helps increase the effects of serotonin, because when we have low serotonin levels we can suffer from sadness and depression, anxiety, panic attacks, reduced energy, migraines, sleeping problems, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) or a reduced interest in sex. Dopamine is a kind of neurotransmitter called a catecholamine. Also in this category are Epinephrine (which I’ll be discussing next) and Norepinephrine. Dopamine is responsible for motivation, interest and drive. Excess Dopamine can be responsible for positive stress states such as being in love, exercising and sex drive. Low dopamine levels can be responsible for lack of concentration or motivation, reduced energy or difficulty initiating or completing tasks. Dopamine also has functions in muscle control and function. Recent studies have shown that low dopamine levels are found in people who â€Å"self-medicate†, such as alcoholics, drug addicts, gamblers smokers and overeaters. The last neurotransmitter I’ll be discussing is epinephrine, another catecholamine. Catecholamine is one of two classifications of the Monoamine Transmitter Substances. The other being Indolamine. Monoaminergic neurons increase or decrease activities of particular brain functions by modulating the function in widespread regions of the brain. Mainly, Epinephrine is a hormone produced by the central core of the adrenal glands, the adrenal medulla. Epinephrine is synonymous with adrenaline just as norepinephrine is synonymous with noradrenaline, and is considered a minor neurotransmitter compared to norepinephrine. Both epinephrine and norepinephrine affect noradrenergic receptors (more commonly referred to as just adrenergic receptors. Epinephrine regulates attention, focus, arousal and cognition while inhibiting insulin excretion and raising the amounts of fatty acids in the blood. Low levels of epinephrine can result in fatigue, lack of focus and difficulty losing weight while high epinephrine levels have been linked to sleep