Within the catecholamine family, dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter found in the limbic system of the brain. As the precursor to the neurohormones noradrenaline and adrenaline, dopamine is naturally increased in situations of stress and...
Vitamin B-6, or pyridoxine, is a member of the B complex family. Like all B vitamins, pyridoxine is water-soluble, so dietary excesses are readily eliminated in your urine. Once inside your body, pyridoxine is converted to its active form,...
The human brain can be anatomically divided into three main sections, or layers. The outermost part is called the forebrain (the prosencephalon); the middle layer is called the midbrain (the messancephalon); and the innermost part of the brain is...
When you think about the benefits of exercise, you're more likely to consider your body, not your brain. However, exercise can have a positive effect on your brain. One significant way that exercise helps your brain is by releasing "feel-good"...
The adrenal glands are located above the kidneys and composed of the inner adrenal medulla and the outer adrenal cortex. The adrenal medulla releases two hormones -- epinephrine and norepinephrine. The adrenal cortex releases many different...
Derived from the amino acid tyrosine, dopamine is a phenethylamine neurotransmitter prominent in midbrain neurons. It is the metabolic precursor to the "fight-or-flight" neurohormones norepinephrine and epinephrine--better known as adrenaline....
A traumatic birth can cause a child to develop one of several conditions in which fine motor skills are compromised. Such conditions range from cerebral palsy to dysgraphia, and are typically caused by oxygen starvation occurring during a...
Deep breathing relieves stress and anxiety due to its physiological effect on the nervous system. Breathing slowly and mindfully activates the hypothalamus, connected to the pituitary gland in the brain, to send out neurohormones that inhibit...
Proponents of foot massage for pregnant women claim it has undeniable powers over the pregnant body, while opponents range from cautious and skeptical to adamantly opposed to the validity of these claims. Others remain ambivalent and look at the...
Amino acids are nitrogen-containing molecules that your body employs for a variety of purposes. Their principal use is in the manufacture of proteins, which serve as structural elements, hormones, antibodies, enzymes, transport molecules and other...
Overview PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) is a term used to describe a cluster of physical and emotional distress occurring late in the post ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle and sometimes overlapping with menstruation. We are talking about 1...
As America's population ages, the incidence of age-related dementia is rising. According to a 2010 study in “Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy,” your chance of developing Alzheimer’s dementia doubles every five years after...
Melatonin is a popular natural sleep aid for both adults and children. This naturally occurring hormone is available over the counter in the United States in liquid, sublingual and pill forms. As with any supplement or medication, parents and...
Melatonin, a neurohormone produced in the human pineal gland, regulates the circadian rhythm. Oral administration of melatonin liquid has been found to be helpful in treating sleep disorders such as delayed onset and/or shorter duration of sleep....
Dopamine is a nitrogen-containing molecule that belongs to a class of chemicals called catecholamines. It's related to epinephrine, or adrenalin, and norepinephrine. In humans, dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter and a neurohormone, carrying...
Fats are inherently difficult to digest. In contrast to carbohydrates and proteins, fats are viscous and insoluble in water, so the aqueous environment within your gastrointestinal tract is not conducive to fat digestion. According to Dr. Elson...
Dopamine levels refer to the amount of dopamine in the body. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and, in the brain, activates dopamine receptors and is involved in 'rewarding feelings' and addiction. Dopamine is also a neurohormone released by the...
Dopamine is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that functions as a neurotransmitter and neurohormone. It primarily affects movement control, emotions and the pleasure and reward centers of the brain. It activates five dopamine receptors,...
Adrenaline is a neurohormone that increases metabolic rate, alertness and the ability for muscles to contract, making it a valuable hormone to increase for athletes and office workers alike. A single exercise session can acutely increase...
Follicle stimulating hormone, or FSH, is necessary for ovulation in women and the production of sperm in men. According to the June 18, 2003 online issue of "Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology," FSH levels are known to peak during menstruation...
The Centers For Disease Control states that around 23 percent of teens smoke cigarettes. Cigarettes pose not only a health risk with both long and short term use but are highly addictive. The American Heart Association states that nicotine...
If you scrutinize all of the major fat burning products on the market you are likely to find some combination of these fat burning supplements. Many products, however, do not contain functional doses of the ingredients, according to "Homemade...
Many conditions can cause leg pain and stiffness. According to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, pain is the most common symptom associated with muscle disorders. However, muscle stiffness can also manifest in a person with a muscle...
A patient suffering from heart failure, a condition that affects one in every 100 people, means that the heart cannot pump enough blood to keep up with the needs of the body, according to the Merck Manual. Heart failure can result from conditions...
In humans, dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is produced in many areas of the brain and can activate five unique brain receptors. Dopamine is often released preceding the release of adrenaline and can be released from the hypothalamus, the area...
High blood pressure can be deadly, as it increases your risk for heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. There can be many different causes of high blood pressure, and there are also many different blood pressure medications that can be used for...
The sleeve procedure for weight loss is a bariatric procedure usually referred to as a sleeve, or vertical, gastrectomy. It is generally recommended only for those patients who meet the criteria for obesity or who are very overweight and suffering...
So many diet aids crowd the fitness market that it can be difficult to know what works and what does not. No diet supplement alone can help you lose weight without proper nutrition and exercise. However, diet aids exist that can speed up your...
Recent advances in the neurohormonal mechanisms of energy balance strongly indicate a connection between weight loss and the hormone leptin. There is great interest in the medical and scientific community to understand the role of this hormone in...
