A Quick Overview: Brain Chemicals

Today's post is going to talk about a few brain chemicals - neurotransmitters - that are often seen in mental illnesses, whether it be too much or too little. 

First up: Dopamine. Dopamine is associated with the brain's reward and pleasure systems. It helps regulate emotional responses, and it not only helps us see rewards, it helps us move towards them.  

Dopamine deficiency: Parkinson's Disease, more prone to addiction (possible). There is also evidence that schizophrenia alters levels of dopamine activity. Abnormally high transmission has been linked to psychosis and schizophrenia. In fact, many antipsychotics used to treat it have a main effect of reducing the value of dopamine activity in the brain. Altered neurotransmission is shown in ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). 

Next: Serotonin. Serotonin has various functions, the most common being mood, appetite, and sleep regulation. It also functions in memory and learning. 

A depletion of serotonin is linked with OCD, depression, and anxiety. Research also shows that there is less serotonin in the body when people first fall in love, which may explain the obsessive part. Drugs used to alter serotonin levels are commonly found in antidepressents, with many different types. There are MAOIs (Monoamine osidase inhibitors), TCAs (tricyclic antidepressents), and SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.)

Oxytocin is a powerful hormone and plays a huge role in pair bonding. When you hug or kiss a loved one, up goes your oxytocin levels. This hormone is stimulated during sex, birth, and even breastfeeding. Low oxytocin levels have been connected to Autism and autistic spectrum disorders. 

Acetylcholine was the first neurotransmitter to be discovered. It plays an important role in learning, memory, and sending messages between motor nerves and muscles. There is a deficiency of this neurotransmitter in patients with Alzheimer's.

Endorphins are produced by the pituitary gland during exercise, excitement, love, sexual activity, and eating spicy food. While commonly known to produce "Runner's High", they are known to play a role in depersonalization disorder.

That's all for now. I will post again soon.