Emotional Effects of Specific Neurotransmitters
Emotion is defined as a subjective state of being that is often described as our feelings. (Speilman, 2006, pg. 352) Emotions are affected by the major neurotransmitters in the body. A neurotransmitter is the message carrier for the nervous system via neurons. (Speilman, 2006) Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring chemicals in the body. Each one has a different effect on the chemical controllers in the brain. I want to discuss three of those naturally recurring neurotransmitters and their effects on the emotional states of individuals. The three neurotransmitters I want to expand upon are endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. Endorphins are a chemical naturally released in the brain to reduce pain, that in large amounts can make you feel relaxed and full of energy. (Cambridge Dictionary, 2017) Beta-endorphins are triggered when a person is placed under emotional or physical stress. It is a naturally
…show more content…
(Speilman, 2006). It is believed that a balanced supply of serotonin keep people happy. A lack of serotonin has been associated with many negative emotions and behaviors. These include, but are not limited to depression, antisocial behavior, and anxiety. These disorders are caused by a defect in serotonin receptors. For example, the man with a loving family and good job can still be depressed. Though there is no external cause for the depression, an imbalance in his serotonin levels might be the explanation. There are many medications out there that can help with low serotonin levels. They block the receptors in the neurons, causing a buildup in serotonin. This increase helps the individual to feel happier. Now where a lack of serotonin is bad, too much is worse. Too much serotonin can cause serotonin syndrome. The symptoms include agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, and possibly
There has been recent news about recent threats that North Korea is imposing on America. Emily Tillett, author of the article, speaks of Donald Trumps orders to prepare a fight against NK. The purpose of the article is to persuade the audience, American citizens, to trust Trumps decisions in going against NK. This is done with the use of rhetorical devices, such as appeal to ethos and simple/impacting diction.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) is one of the most influential presidents in history of the United States. In FDR’s 1941 speech, “On the War with Japan,” he discusses the necessity of going to war in Europe and what it means for America’s future. His leadership skills in combination with his speech causes society to go from an isolationist policy to being motivated to enter and win the war. Through the use of rhetoric, FDR is able to captivate the listeners and encourage them to actively participate in the war. Not only does he play on the emotions of the audience, he also appeals to their sense of patriotism and logic in order to persuade them to get involved in World War II.
In the field of genetics, the study of the effect of various genes is imperative in translation and interpretation. As genetic coding influences phenotypic expression, the analysis of specific genes and any polymorphisms are relevant in a clinical setting. One such example is that of personality traits, which are believed to be influenced by specific neurotransmitters, known as catecholamines. Catecholamines are chemicals released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, and operate dually as hormones and neurotransmitters within the body. Commonly, catecholamines mediate functions within the central nervous system, including those of emotional responses and motor control. Inclusive of dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine, the
The third neurotransmitter is thoroughly spread throughout the brain which is called Endorphins. This neurotransmitter is a part of the behavioral and mental processes, includes euphoria, influence of stress, moderates food and liquid intake, facilitating learning and memory, and leviating pain. These
Most people usually think of the brain or heart being the most important part of our body. While they are indeed important, they would be entirely useless if certain substances called neurotransmitters didn’t exist. Neurotransmitters are substances in our body that carry signals from one nerve cell to another. Without these neurotransmitters in our body, we wouldn’t receive crucial signals such as telling our heart to beat. Six of the most common neurotransmitters in our body are dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
A) With the help of nerve tissues and nerve cells that translate the outside stimulus of the world around us, that collected information is processed into a chemical message, known the be the neurotransmitters. One role that neurotransmitters play within the nervous system is inhibitors and exciters of cells that aren’t neuron cells, which consequentially cause cells to either react to stimuli or inhibit it to not produce a reaction. Once the information of the stimuli is registered and at times further processed by the central nervous system (CNS), the brain and the spinal cord are the two structures known the be the main components of this system, an action is generated in response. This process happens incredibly quickly within the body, and the reason for this is to protect ourselves from outside forces and to adapt quickly to a changing environment. Without neurotransmitters the body’s large communication network of nerve tissue would not be able to register and generate responses to stimuli that can occur all over the body, this information has to travel in order to be registered and dealt with correctly and in doing so neurotransmitters keep the journey a steady process.
(3) While successful drug therapies which act on neurotransmitters in the brain imply that depression is a neurobiological condition (4), the fact that such medications do not help about 20 percent of depression-sufferers seems to show that not all depression is due to such imbalances. Rather, depression is not caused by one single factor; it is most often caused by many different things. Genetics, biochemical factors, medicines and alcohol, developmental and other external factors, and relationships, marriage and children all have effect on the development of clinical depression. (5) The strongest hypotheses on the pathways to depression are in decreases in the activity of specific neurotransmitters, or the overactivity of certain hormonal systems. (3)
Endorphins and their peptides are made by the central nervous system and the pituitary gland. Endorphins got their name from the word endogenous, which translate to the words ‘from body,’ and ‘morphine.’ Basically, endorphins are the body’s natural pain relievers (they also boost pleasure which results in a feeling of well-being, or feeling good). Endorphins are released when we do activities such as eating and exercising. They are also released when they receive signals from the brain when we are in pain and stressed. Endorphins are able to stop pain, or at least make it bearable, because they act on the opiate receptors in our brains.
When the body is subjected to stress or pain, the pituitary releases it into the bloodstream. The beta endorphins bind to special receptors in located in the brain, spinal cord, immune system, and adrenal glands. These receptors are known as opioid receptors and can be categorized as binding to several different types of endorphin and opium derivative while being blocked by the chemical naloxone. When bound to these receptors, they produce an inhibitory effect on the neural pathways for pain, reducing the effect and perception of pain. When there is a high enough quantity in the body, this can also cause a sensation colloquially known as “runner’s high”. This is a euphoric state usually caused by extreme exercise. I believe the natural glow and warm feeling that a woman has after childbirth can also be contributed partially from the effect of beta endorphins on the body, as childbirth is one of the most extreme things that can happy to a body. This hormone is also found in the body when we laugh, during sex, eat spicy foods, listen to emotionally complex music, and in small amounts in the bloodstream doing regulatory jobs. Independent of the pain reduction effects, Beta endorphins have an interesting effect on other parts of our body
All endorphins use chemical reactions to accomplish their task. Beta-endorphins bind mu-opioid receptors, “which are most abundant in descending pain control circuits”, and exert their primary action at presynaptic nerve terminals [in the peripheral nervous system] (Hawaii Med Journal). In the central nervous system, “they exert their analgesic effect by inhibiting the release of an inhibitory neurotransmitter” (Hawaii Med Journal). This process is called presynaptic binding. During this process, a cascade of reactions occurs, releasing tachykinins, a protein involved with transference of pain. Endorphins are most active when we are most active; the nervous system sending transmissions through chemical reactions of
These neurons can only be received onto certain sites, known as a receptor. Neurotransmitters can fit a number of different receptors, but receptor sites can only receive specific types of neurotransmitters (Biological Causes of Depression). At the receptor site of a neuron, the chemical message of the neurotransmitter may either change into electrical impulses and continue on its way through the next neuron, or may stay where it is (Biological Causes of Depression). Within this process, enzymes can help break down other neurotransmitters into smaller ones. If this systems fails to cooperate with each other, then the production of neurotransmitters, that are there to maintain a balance, can affect the mood of the person. Thus, resulting in behavioral differences from the common characteristics of the
Potenza 2001 stated that Neurotransmitters are chemicals, which moves in the gaps between nerve cells to transmit messages. If the chemical is blocked or replaced, for example, then the message changes and this affects the physiological systems, also effecting, cognition, mood and behaviour. Dopamine is regarded as the most commonly associated neurotransmitter having these effects, although other chemicals have been shown to induce similar effects. Therefore resulting in a good feeling after in taking the substance.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain where signals jump from one neuron to another. One class of neurotransmitters are amino acids which are neurotransmitters used for creating proteins in the brain. Glutamate is one of the 20 amino acids in the human body and one of the most common known neurotransmitters. Glutamate is one of the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and in the spinal cord. Glutamate triggers and excites nearly half of the brain’s neurons. Too much glutamate stimulation can lead to damage of the neurons due to the neurons being over excited. an example of this is Lou Gehrig’s disease, which occurs because too much glutamate is created and stored in the body. The functioning of glutamate works once it is attached to
When it comes down to what causes depression, it isn’t completely known but there are many factors that may make someone more prone or subjected to clinical depression. One important factor that may increase someone’s chances of developing this disorder is inherited conditions. Another factor may be an environmental factor. Alcohol or drug abuse are factors also and can create emotional imbalance which can place someone at risk to developing the two forms of clinical depression. Another factor that can put someone at risk is brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression. Recent research indicates that changes in the function and effect of these neurotransmitters and how they interact with neurocircuits involved in maintaining mood stability may play a significant role in depression and its treatment (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016).
Neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin are also known for their roles in many neurological disorders. Dopamine plays a large role in arousal,