86Thousand400: Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters:

Endogenous chemicals that enable neurotransmission. Transmit signals across a chemical synapse, such as in a neuromuscular junction, from one neuron to another "target" neuron, muscle cell or gland cell.

Neurotransmission: (Latin: transmissio = passage, crossing from transmitto = send/let through)

Process by which signalling molecules called neurotransmitters are released by a neuron (the presynaptic neuron binds to activate the receptors of another - postsynaptic). Extremely important for muscle innervation. Without the initial thought/signal – no muscles will move.

Neuromodulation:

Physiological process by which a given neuron uses one or more neurotransmitters to regulate diverse populations of neurons.

Major neuromodulators in the Central Nervous System (Brain & Spinal chord) include dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, histamine & norepinephrine (Adrenaline).

The Major Neurotransmitter Systems & Effects

Dopamine: Motor system, Cognition & Reward system.

Most types of reward increase the level of dopamine in the brain and a variety of addictive drugs increase neuronal activity. Cocaine for example blocks the re-uptake of dopamine, leaving the neurotransmitters in the synaptic gap longer.

People with Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s are shown to have lower levels of Dopamine in the brain.

Serotonin: Mood, Body temp & Sleep.

The brain comprises around 10% of total body serotonin, but the majority 80 - 90% is found in the gastrointestinal tract – (Related to food and feelings).

Serotonin pharmacology - Prozac or fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is a widely used antidepressant that blocks the re-uptake of Serotonin.

Noradrenaline: Arousal & Reward system

Histamine: Sleep-wake-cycle (promotes wakefulness), body temp, regulates appetite & involved in cognition (the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses).

Acetycholine: Chemical that motor neurons of the nervous system release in order to activate muscles. Skeletal muscles are directly controlled by motor neurons located in the spinal chord. (Another reason why chiropractic and a healthy nervous system are so important to a healthy body).

To conclude; when we exercise all of these neurotransmitters are produced naturally which just goes to show why moving and pushing the body and mind past a certain point at times is so key to our overall health.

Add to this that it is becoming more and more evident that Alzheimer's, Dementia and Parkinson’s disease are all related to low levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and this surely gives another added reasons to exercise. (If you're not doing it for the body, simply do it for the mind)!