What are Neurotransmitters?

Neurotransmitters are the signaling molecules or chemical messengers sent from one brain cell (neuron) to another as a way to communicate and exchange information important to perform a certain task within the body. The type of neuron that receives the signal (target cell), can be another neuron, muscle cell or gland. The type of connection will determine what response the body will make.

The neurotransmitters effect on the target cell is determined by the type of target cell it binds. Neurotransmitters function is essential to and a main component of more complex neural systems. There are more than 100 identified neurotransmitters known today with others still being discovered.

What Do Neurotransmitters Do ?

Neurotransmitters are the molecules that are part of the nervous system responsible for communication between the activity of the brain and all bodily functions. Neurotransmitters play an important role in nerve cells or neurons. They fire impulse signals to target cells that are translated into messages that instruct the receiving cell to activate a response. Neurotransmitters are known as chemical messengers that carry signals to other cells throughout the body. These messengers perform their duty which is dependent on which receptor cell they connect. For instance, a serotonin molecule will attach to a serotonin target cell, which then triggers a chemical reaction to take place. Once this happens and the message is sent and received. The body will break them down to recycle.

Generally, a neurotransmitter is released at the presynaptic terminal (where one neuron meets another) in response to an electrical signal called an action potential in the presynaptic neuron (brain cell).

Neurotransmitters are necessary to regulate bodily functions like:

  • breathing

  • appetite

  • heart rate

  • digestion

  • sleep

  • muscle coordination and movement

  • mood

  • concentration

Types of Neurotransmitters

Within the 100 plus types of known neurotransmitters, there are categories which perform specific actions that induce reactions in the body. The main categories are:

  • Inhibitory neurotransmitters are a type of chemical signaling molecule which cause the target cell to relax, limit, reduce or inhibit an action response to take place.

  • Excitatory neurotransmitter is the kind of neurotransmitter that causes the target cell to take action. The reaction is to stimulate, increase, energize or excite an action to take place.

  • Modulatory neurotransmitters communicate and interact with many other neurotransmitters often simultaneously.

Many neurotransmitters have specific target cells they tend to interact. While other types of neurotransmitters can handle a more broader job requirement and perform several functions dependent upon which target cell they connect.

Common Neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine is an excitatory neurotransmitter and the first neurotransmitter discovered in the peripheral and central nervous systems. It activates muscles in the somatic nervous system and has the ability to excite or inhibit internal organs in the autonomic system.

Some of acetylcholine roles include:

  • regulating heartbeat rhythms

  • stimulation of skeletal muscle contractions

  • regulation of sweat glands and saliva production

  • memory function

  • attention and motivation

Alzheimer’s disease can be linked to low levels of acetylcholine when memory and thinking becomes an issue.

High acetylcholine can be attributed to too much muscle contractions and weakness, paralysis, blurred vision, diarrhea and watery eyes.

Dopamine is known as the pleasure and reward neurotransmitter. Because it becomes elevated during fun, relaxing and pleasurable activities. Dopamine regulates motor behavior, pleasures related to motivation and emotional arousal and plays a critical role in the reward system.

Parkinson’s disease, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder has been linked to low levels of dopamine and schizophrenia has been linked to high levels of dopamine.

Endorphins are linked to creation of pleasure from love, laughter, food and sex. They inhibit pain receptors and give a feeling of pleasure.

According to The Journal of Neuroscience, research showed the feeling of pleasure from laughter and after exercise was boosted with a release of higher amounts of endorphins.

Endorphins may aid in management of pain in a review of research published in Current Pain and Headache Reports, when it concluded that aerobic exercise can prevent, reduce frequency and intensity of migraine.

Epinephrine is synthesized from tyrosine and released in the adrenal glands and brain stem. It plays an important role in sleep, staying alert and the flight-or-flight response.

Epinephrine is also known as adrenaline and a hormone as well as a neurotransmitter.

It is the neurotransmitter that the body releases when fear and stress is present. Too much epinephrine in the blood can lead to health problems over time, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The most common are:

  • high blood pressure

  • diabetes

  • heart disease

Doctors regularly use epinephrine to treat potential life threatening conditions like, infections, heart and asthma attacks. Because of its ability to constrict blood vessels, epinephrine can jump start a heart which stopped beating and decrease swelling from certain allergic reactions.

Norepinephrine is synthesized in the central nervous system and sympathetic nerves. It modulates the responses of the autonomic nervous system, sleep patterns, focus and alertness.

Glutamate is used at all the majority of fast excitatory synapsis in the brain. Its the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord. Glutamate is a component of memory storage elements in the brain.

Excessive chronic release of glutamate can lead to excitotoxicity causing cell death, resulting in seizures and strokes. Excitotoxicity has been linked to Huntington’s disease, epilepsy, ischemic stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) , is the main inhibitor and mood regulator in the central nervous system. Many sedative and tranquilizing drugs act by enhancing the effects of GABA. Low levels of GABA have been linked to depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.

Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter 90% produced in the intestines with the reminder in the neurons and the central nervous system.

Serotonin functions to regulate sleep, appetite, memory and learning, temperature, mood, muscle contraction, behavior as well as the cardiovascular and endocrine systems.

Low levels of serotonin play a role in depression. Evidence can be seen in lower concentrations of serotonin metabolites in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid in depressed patients.

Doctors often prescribe selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRis) to treat many conditions from PTSD, OCD, anxiety and depression. The SSRis boost serotonin levels by preventing the body from reabsorbing serotonin. This leaves more serotonin to interact and exchange information to target cells.

Neurotransmitters are involved with every aspect of our bodies ability to function. They play a primary role in all communication at the intracellular level. Neurotransmitters are the raw material that allow all signaling and chemical exchanges to take place that keep our bodies performing properly. Neurotransmitter support can only be achieved through a good diet, supplementation, exercise and of course genetics.

-A Balanced Brain is a Better Brain-