neurochemical
Synaptic signaling substance
A neurochemical is any chemical substance that operates in the nervous system, particularly the brain.
These include neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, hormones, and other molecules that influence neural activity, mood, and behavior.
As an adjective, neurochemical describes processes or effects involving such substances: The neurochemical basis of addiction is now better understood.
The term appears frequently in discussions of mental health, where conditions like depression are often explained in neurochemical terms.
Reward-linked neural messenger
- serotoninMood-regulating brain chemical
- acetylcholineNeurotransmitter for muscles and memory
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
- glutamateExcitatory neural transmitter
GABA · endorphins · histamine · glycine · aspartate · epinephrine · substance P · adenosine
Adrenal steroid regulating stress
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- oxytocinBonding neurotransmitter from hypothalamus
- vasopressinFluid-conserving pituitary hormone
- melatoninCircadian rhythm regulator
insulin · estrogen · testosterone · progesterone · thyroxine · ghrelin · leptin · prolactin
Nerve signal crossing point
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
- reuptakeNeurotransmitter recapture by neurons
- bindingLegally or morally required
transporter · agonist · antagonist · uptake · release · modulation · cascade · pathway
Neuron's signal-sending projection
- dendriteNeuron's input branch
- cortexOrgan's external tissue
- amygdalaEmotion-processing brain cluster
- hippocampusMemory formation region
limbic system · striatum · prefrontal cortex · basal ganglia · locus coeruleus · hypothalamus · blood-brain barrier · neural circuit
dopamine
Reward-linked neural messenger
- serotoninMood-regulating brain chemical
- acetylcholineNeurotransmitter for muscles and memory
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
glutamate · GABA · endorphins · histamine · glycine · aspartate · epinephrine · substance P · adenosine · nitric oxide
cortisol
Adrenal steroid regulating stress
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- oxytocinBonding neurotransmitter from hypothalamus
- vasopressinFluid-conserving pituitary hormone
melatonin · insulin · estrogen · testosterone · progesterone · thyroxine · ghrelin · leptin · prolactin · aldosterone
synapse
Nerve signal crossing point
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
- reuptakeNeurotransmitter recapture by neurons
binding · transporter · agonist · antagonist · uptake · release · modulation · cascade · pathway · excitatory
axon
Neuron's signal-sending projection
hippocampus · limbic system · striatum · prefrontal cortex · basal ganglia · locus coeruleus · hypothalamus · blood-brain barrier · neural circuit · glia
depression
Prolonged low state
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- euphoriaIntense emotional high
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
pleasure · reward · motivation · arousal · affect · dysphoria · anhedonia · craving · addiction · withdrawal
neurochemicalsynthetic drug
Artificially produced psychoactive substance