What are Chemicals in the Brain?
Almost all chemicals in the brain are known as neurotransmitters, which means they help in passing and modulating signals between neurons and other cells. A group of about 10 molecules and more than 50 neuroactive proteins form the neurotransmitters. Several singular ions as well as few fatty acids can also be classified as neurotransmitters. The chemicals themselves cannot determine their effect which is rather determined by the receptor they go to. Normally, neurotransmitter molecules are enclosed in vesicles and a synaptic depolarization results in the opening of calcium ion channels, which releases the neurotransmitter. This process is known as exocytosis. When the neurotransmitters are released through exocytosis, they disseminate across the synaptic divide and stick to receptors. Re-uptake is the process by which neurotransmitters are taken away from receptors, which clears the channel rendering no neuron stimulated. Neuroactive drugs, which affect the brain, are known to use the
