Phenylethylamine is a neuromodulator produced in the brain that increases the effect of many other neurotransmitters including dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and epinephrine. After oral supplementation, PEA is rapidly degraded by the enzyme...
Dopamine is a chemical produced by the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter between brain cells. Dopamine controls the brain cells that affect movement, emotional responses and painful and pleasurable feelings. When the central nervous system...
According to The Medical News, dopamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter that is found in the different areas of brain and is essential for several functions of the central nervous system. Dopamine plays a major role in the feelings of addiction...
Both wine and sugar alter brain chemistry by disrupting dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens of the forebrain, the reward center that drives motivation. With prolonged use, the brain becomes dependent on the substance and the addiction...
Neurotransmitters are the body's delivery system. Just like in a relay race, they hand off your brain's intentions from one to the next. If you want a book on the top shelf, your brain instructs your hand to reach for it. Your hand can't do that...
Dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter produced naturally in the body. In a complex process of chemical production and distribution, dopamine acts as a primary messenger in the brain's reward system. KCI The Anti-Meth Site notes that dopamine...
Addictive disease is facilitated by the brain's physiological and sometimes emotional need for a substance to be able to function. As of 2011, researchers at Harvard University were continuing to tout new studies that the majority of addictive...
The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that nearly $500 billion are spent each year on abuse or addiction to alcohol and nicotine as well as illegal substances. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that impairs and ultimately...
Approximately 14.8 million American adults suffer from depression, as shown by R.C. Kessler, Ph.D., in a study published in June 2005 in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry. Although there are numerous reasons why a person begins to suffer...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter -- a chemical in your brain that affects various aspects of your mood and behavior. Specifically, dopamine influences the parts of your brain that control body movement, emotions and pleasure-seeking behavior,...
Alcohol is often a big part of social gatherings and can create feelings of euphoria, but when consumed impulsively, the effects can quickly turn negative. Alcohol has a direct impact on the brain, which then in turn affects behavior in a number...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for a variety of functions in your brain and other parts of your body. Having low levels of dopamine can lead to health problems. Dopamine controls movement and the flow of information to the frontal lobe...
Of all the rich chemicals in the amazing organ we call the brain, dopamine plays one of the most dramatic roles. Too little dopamine can cause slowed movement, apathy and lack of motivation. Too much dopamine is associated with schizophrenia and...
Many of the chemicals in the body are created through what is called a biological pathway. A pathway first requires a precursor molecule, usually from the diet. Then it is progressively modified by a series of enzymes until it reaches a final...
Neurotransmitters, or brain chemicals, regulate your moods and behavior. Amino acids from foods help manufacture these neurotransmitters. The foods you eat can influence your feelings and mental performance. The neurotransmitter serotonin provides...
Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that facilitate communication, and dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is associated with feelings of pleasure. Drugs such as heroin, cocaine and alcohol increase the level of dopamine in the brain. Too...
Many people associate dopamine with the pursuit of pleasure, rewards and thrills. You may associate it with the rush you feel after simple indulgences like eating chocolate or with extreme risk-taking, such as bungee-jumping, but it plays a more...
Abnormal electrical activity in the brain leads to physical or behavioral changes known as seizures that are characterized by changes in emotion, consciousness, sensation or vision; bitter taste; and uncontrolled muscle movements. There are...
The amino acid phenylalanine converts into another amino acid, tyrosine. Tyrosine is essential for making the brain neurotransmitters norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine. Tyrosine uses the protein from the food you eat to produce...
Keeping your mind sharp and alert is a priority during certain times like final exams, a long road trip or an important business meeting. Energy drinks may seem to help you focus but the habitual use of energy drinks poses health risks that may...
Vitamin C has a theoretical benefit for reducing alcohol cravings because this vitamin helps your body produce mood-boosting neurotransmitters. Overcoming cravings is key to overcoming alcohol addiction. Always consult a health care provider...
Anxiety can range from an occasional mild feeling of emotional discomfort to daily occurrences of disabling emotions. The National Institute of Mental Health says that approximately 40 million Americans aged 18 or older have an anxiety disorder....
Alcoholism is an addiction to or dependence on alcohol. Health problems caused by excessive drinking may include cancer, pancreatitis, heart problems, liver disorders, diabetes complications and digestive problems. Those with low levels of the...
Alcohol, even after one or two drinks, can damage the brain; when a person abuses alcohol, the damages become irreversible. Alcohol is a central nervous depressant, which decreases activity in the cerebral cortex, reticular formation, spinal cord...
We use kava primarily for its rumored relaxation properties. Scientists know kava has some effect on dopamine, a vital neurotransmitter in our brain responsible for a long list of necessary daily functions--from voluntary movement to sleep to...
You should eat a variety of foods to obtain dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is responsible for alertness, activity, mood, motivation and sexual arousal. Foods that increase dopamine levels have the amino acid phenylalanine, an...
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that allow neurons to communicate with each other in your brain. S-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe, is a natural compound found in nearly every fluid and tissue in your body. It helps produce and break down...
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, transmits signals from neurons to neurons, though few neurons make dopamine. It is when these dopamine neurons are activated that they release the dopamine. There are two parts of the brain that are involved, the...
Dopamine is a brain chemical associated with pleasure, reward, learning, motivation and motor control. A lack of this neurotransmitter may cause difficulty concentrating, loss of motor control, addiction, low sex drive, depression and cravings....