Neurons and Neurotransmitters
Neurons, in basic terms, are cells (in particular nerve cells) responsible for the sending of messages across the body (Levin, Decker, and Butcher, 2012). They are considered to be the brains as well as nervous systems fundamental units. To a large extent, they make it possible for a wide range of activities and functions to be performed including, but not limited to, walking, eating, talking, breathing and even thinking. Neurotransmitters, on the other hand, could be conceptualized as the substances that enable the communication between neurons, as well as communication between neurons and target tissues. More specifically, neurotransmitters have been defined by Avoli, Reader, Dykes, and Gloor (2012), as endogenous chemicals that allow neurons to communicate with each other throughout the body (173). As the author further points out, these endogenous chemicals play a significant role in the framing of our lives on a daily basis. This is more so the case given that thanks to the chemical synaptic transmission process, they enable the provision of a wide range of functions by the brain (Levin, Decker, and Butcher, 2012). The synaptic transmission process is, in essence, communication between neurons, as well as with target tissues.
There are various kinds of neurotransmitters. It is important to note that although there are more than 100 neurotransmitters that have been identified to date, it is possible that there are more neurotransmitters will be discovered in the future (Levin, Decker, and Butcher, 2012). To a large extent, it is the chemical nature of the said neurotransmitters that determines under which group they are placed. Towards this end, Avoli, Reader, Dykes, and Gloor (2012) point out that neurotransmitters could be categorized as amino acids neurotransmitters, monoamines neurotransmitters, peptide neurotransmitters, and acetylcholine, among others. Examples of amino acids neurotransmitters are glycine, gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA) and glutamate. On the other hand, examples of monoamines neurotransmitters are norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, histamine, and serotonin. Monoamines neurotransmitters are inclusive of...
…the words of Avoli, Reader, Dykes, and Gloor (2012), some drugs mimic endogenous ligands, activating receptors directly; others interfere with reuptake, and some block receptors by binding to them without activating them (301). In essence, changes to our
behavior are founded upon how neurotransmission is altered by a specific drug. There are a number of ways through which messaging in the brain can be altered by drugs. One way is through the imitation of the natural chemical messengers. Another way could be via the binding of the drug to receptors in the brain. Messaging in the brain can be altered by drugs when drug chemicals overwhelm the brain by
flooding it. Lastly, the drug could also overstimulate the brains reward circuit. According to Avoli, Reader, Dykes, and Gloor (2012) the brains reward system is often, in one way or another, usually affected (directly or indirectly) by drugs. It is the response of the brain that often results in
addiction, essentially as a consequence of…
