Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

chemicals in the brain that carry messages from one neuron to another

Acetylcholine

Movement & Memory

• connected to motor movement, attention & arousal, memory & learning

• excitatory

Acetylcholine surplus & deficit

+ severe muscle spasms

- dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, paralysis

Dopamine

Reward

- released into the pleasure centers of the brain

• reward & motivation (learning)

• movement

• attention

• emotion

Dopamine surplus & deficit

+ schizophrenia

- Parkinson’s disease

Serotonin

Mood - inhibitory

- Connected to mood, regulation

• emotion

• hunger regulation

• sleep/wakefulness (arousal)

Serotonin surplus & deficit

+ hallucinations

- depression (mood disorders), suicide, anxiety disorders

Norepinephrine

neurotransmitter & adrenal hormone

fight or flight

increases heart rate

Norepinephrine surplus & deficit

+ high blood pressure, mood instability

- ADHD, ADD, low energy, chronic stress

GABA

calming - inhibitory

increases sleepiness and decreases anxiety

GABA surplus & deficit

+ sleep/eating disorders

- anxiety disorders, seizures, insomnia

Glutamate

Memory - excitatory

thinking, long-term memory, and learning

Glutamate surplus

+ overstimulate the brain, migraines, epileptic seizures

Endorphins

Euphoria - inhibitory

relieve pain and stress

Endorphins surplus & deficit

+ artificial highs

- body experiences pain

Substance P

transmits signals from nerve endings to the brain

Substance P surplus & deficit

+ sensitivity to pain

- inability to sense painful stimuli, impaired bone healing