I read that endorphins are neurochemicals similar to opiate drugs that act as natural pain killers. Are there other neurochemicals that act like drugs?
Yes! The tranquilizer diazepam (Valium) was the single most widely prescribed drug in the 1970s, with over 8000 tons (yes, that’s tons!) consumed annually (Tallman et al., 1980), and it is still widely used. It appears that the brain produces a natural polypeptide called diazepam binding inhibitor or DBZ similar to Valium that is released under stress to reduce anxiety (Kolmer et al., 1994). For more information, see: Kolmer, M., Roos, C., Tirronen, M., Myohanen, S., & Alho, H. (1994). Tissue specific expression of the diazepam binding inhibitor in Drosphila meanogaster: cloning, structure, and localization of the gene. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 14(10), 6983-6985. Tallman, J., Paul, D., Skolnick, P., & Gallagher, D. (1980). Receptors for the age of anxiety: Pharmacology of the benzodiazepines. Science, 207, 247-281.
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