Ephedrine, the most commonly used ingredient from the ephedra plant, acts as a stimulate in the body. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter found in the sympathetic nervous system. It is also an important hormone that regulates many functions in...
The text "The Neurobiology of Addiction" explains that tobacco is obtained from the plant Nicotiana tabacum. The leaves are dried and smoked, snuffed or chewed. The addictive substance in tobacco is a drug called nicotine. Nicotine has a...
Zinc pyruvate is primarily a weight loss supplement thought to encourage the breakdown of fat in the body. Pyruvate is a critical intermediate in metabolism and is necessary for the Krebs cycle. Zinc pyruvate is a more stable form of pyruvic acid,...
Drug addiction is a cyclical process that includes intoxication, withdrawal, and craving for the drug, according to Nora Volkow and colleagues in January 2003 in "Neurobiology of Learning and Memory." The researchers explain that drugs have a...
Hydrocodone is used for cough suppression and pain-relief, explains "The Encyclopedia of Addictive Drugs." It is an opioid drug with highly sedative effects and is estimated to be two to eight times more potent than codeine. The text "Neurobiology...
Body exercises and movements may increase brain function and subsequent learning in people of all ages. Your brain learns by interacting with the surrounding world through perception, stimulation and physical actions. Exercise may enhance parts of...
Opioids are drugs derived from the plant Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy. Opiates, sometimes called narcotics, are well-known for their powerful analgesic effects. According to the website PubMed, methadone is a long-lasting pain reliever...
The effects of nicotine on the body range from psychoactive changes in the mood to different bodily functions like breathing, heart rate and digestion. The effects of nicotine should not be confused with the effects of smoking or chewing tobacco...
People with fibromyalgia have muscle pains and tender areas in various places throughout the body. You may also feel depressed or anxious and have headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and problems sleeping. Though the cause of fibromyalgia is...
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. It damages and kills brain cells over time. This results in loss of memory, speaking and writing difficulties and a decrease in reasoning. Some research indicates that blueberries and...
A common symptom in patients suffering from irritability is increased sweating. There is a strong link between chronic stress levels and amount of sweating. Sweating can be seen as a sign that the sympathetic nervous system is amped up, which...
Melatonin is a compound that is produced by the body in the presence of light. It is also available as an over-the-counter supplement. Melatonin has been identified as a player in the role of bipolar disorder. However, do not attempt to prevent,...
Multivitamins are sometimes recommended for men, women and children of all ages, but you may not recognize the importance of taking one. Multivitamins offer a blend of essential nutrients for general health, but these can have specific benefits...
Serotonin affects your sleep and your mood as well as numerous body processes such as regulating appetite and body temperature. Caffeine stimulates serotonin production in your brain. Thus, it may seem logical to drink caffeine to boost low...
Caffeine is a stimulatory drug belonging to a class of chemicals called methylxanthines. Caffeine is bitter in taste and occurs naturally in such foods as chocolate, kona nuts and coffee beans. As a stimulant, caffeine affects the central nervous...
Nerve cells, or neurons, function as the communication system in the brain, similar to the way utility wires transmit electricity. The gap between two nerve cells is called a synapse, according to the University of Washington. The body produces...
5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is a modified form of the amino acid tryptophan. 5-HTP is a dietary supplement that is often used by individuals who want to stabilize their moods but who do not wish to take prescription medications. The supplement...
Dopamine is a member of the catecholamine family, which represents a set of hormones and neurotransmitters that are produced by the adrenal glands. During times of physical or emotional stress, dopamine is released by the body into the...
Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by seizures. Seizures are caused by disturbed brain activity. Medical conditions like stroke, infections, brain injuries and infections all are potential causes. Surgery and medications called...
The health of your brain is linked to the foods in your diet. Your brain cells rely on a near-constant influx of nutrients to help you think, function and remember. Also, brain cells are vulnerable to attacks by free radicals --renegade molecules...
There are many situations that can cause you to have to change your sleep cycle. Whether it is due to daylight savings time, returning from a vacation, moving to a new country or starting a new job, changing your sleep pattern can be difficult....
GoChi juice, also known as Himalayan goji, is a type of berry that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Scientific studies show support for the use of GoChi juice for a number of health-related issues. However, consult your doctor before...
EPA, DHA and GLA, or eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and gamma-linolenic acid, as they are known to chemists, are dietary fats with important contributions to health and nutrition. Among their many vital functions in the body, EPA, DHA...
Despite the fact that we have yet to identify where certain memories are located in the brain, we have learned a lot about the brain's structures that are involved in memory. Moreover, we can now identify many neurotransmitters and hormones that...
As you get older, the skin around your mouth may begin to sag a little. This is a natural sign of aging; skin becomes less firm over the years, leading to wrinkles and sags. Over-the-counter anti-aging creams can be used to firm up sagging skin,...
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain condition that generally affects people as they age. One symptom of cognitive decline is worsening sleep problems, as the sleep/wake cycle becomes confused and erratic. Natural sleep remedies may assist...
Belly fat, irregular eating habits and poor diet are among the most common contributing factors to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the metabolic hormone insulin cannot transfer its signal properly. Insulin resistance...
The text "Neurobiology of Addiction" explains that opiates, also called opioids, are natural or synthetic substances that have actions similar to those of morphine. Morphine is a naturally derived substance from the plant Papaver somniferum, or...
Parkinson's disease represents the second most common neurogenerative disorder to affect elderly adults, behind Alzheimer's disease. Parkinson's disease affects males to a greater extent than females, and is characterized by impaired movement,...
