Neurotransmitters

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep and disposal. Low levels of this cause: depression and anxiety. High levels of this create hallucinations, seizures, shivering. Excitatory/inhibitory: inhibtory, antidepressants are SSRI’s

Norepinephrine

Helps control alertness and arousal, fight or flight, adrenaline. Low levels: depression. High Levels: anxiety. Excitatory/inhibitory: excitatory, adrenaline

Acetylcholine

Enables muscle control/ movement, learning and memory. Low levels: paralysis, Alzheimers, dementia. High levels: violent muscle contractions convulsions, possible death. E/I: excitatory, myasthenia gravis: body attacks receptors sites

Glutemate

Major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory (thinking and learning). Low levels: associated with panic attacks, anxiety, and depression as well as insomnia. High levels: associated with agitation, memory loss, sleeplessness, low energy levels. Excitatory

GABA (calms)

Balances excitatory messages and regulates anxiety and sleep cycles. Low levels cause anxiety and tremors. High levels cause sleep and eating disorders. This is excitatory

Endorphines (euphoria)

Influences the perception of pain or pleasure. Blocks pain.

Low levels: low pain tolerance

High level: body may not give pain signals.

Inhibitory, runners high: response to high or extreme exercise

Dopamine

Influences movement, learning, attention and emotion.

Low levels: Parkinson’s disease and muscle rigidity.

High levels: schizophrenia, addiction

Excitatory

Substance P

Neuromodulator - sends pain signals, released from sensory nerve fibers in skin, muscles, joints.

Low levels: reduced pain sensitivity, motor control

High effect: inflammation, depression - chronic pain is mental and physical

Excitatory

Agonist

helps increase neurotransmitters action, mimics it