Do you prefer full moons, new moons, or crescents? Whatever your birth moon, with Moonglow jewelry you can wear your favorite moon! Our moon phase necklaces make great gifts for any occasion, especially birthdays and anniversaries!
In the brain, dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter âa chemical released by nerve cells to send signals to other nerve cells. The brain includes several distinct dopamine systems, one of which plays a major role in reward-motivated behavior.
Neurons are separated by gaps or spaces known as synapses. As the brainâs chemical messengers, neurotransmitters must find receptors on other neurons in order to transmit the messages they contain. How do drugs affect neurotransmitters? It is helpful for addiction counselors to be familiar with the neurotransmitters affected by drugs. This information is also important in understanding how psychiatric medications are thought to work. There are many neurotransmitters in the brain, but we will focus on the ones that are involved with the reward pathway. Different drugs have differential effects on neurotransmitters. Marijuana and opiates/opioids can activate neurons because their chemical structure emulates that of a natural neurotransmitter. Cocaine and crystal meth, on the other hand, can cause the nerve cells to release much larger than normal amounts of natural neurotransmitters or prevent the usual reabsorption of these brain chemicals. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects mood, memory processing, and cognition.