In addition to the countless physical benefits, exercise can have psychological benefits. Studies show that exercise can increase the amounts of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin in your brain. The increased levels of neurotransmitters...
Ocular motor skills refer to the ability to control the eyes so that visual information can be transmitted and interpreted in the brain. The eyes are controlled by six small muscles that are innervated by three cranial nerves. Like the muscles...
Changing your mood can create serotonin in your brain, says Simon Young in his 2007 article in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience. This is just one way to increase serotonin, a hormone made in your brain that sends messages through your...
Potassium is necessary for brain functioning because potassium controls channels that are key components in shaping the firing activity of neurons, according to an article published in 2006 in "Nature Neuroscience." Potassium works by fighting off...
Because opiates such as heroin induce an immediate sensation of euphoria, they are powerfully addictive drugs. The Society for Neuroscience reports that as many as 1 million Americans are addicted to heroin, making it a serious public health...
The pineal gland is an endocrine gland located in the middle of the brain; its name is derived from its pine-cone shape. This gland produces several hormones such as norepinepherine, serotonin and melatonin, which regulate mood and sleep patterns....
Zinc is considered an essential trace element, meaning your body needs small amounts of zinc to stay healthy. Zinc is involved in numerous important biological processes throughout the body, including brain and nervous system function. Although...
Creatine is a nitrogen-containing compound that exists naturally in the body. It is also sold as a supplement, typically in a powder form. Supplementation may provide you with health benefits. However, talk to your doctor before taking creatine to...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, otherwise known as a brain chemical that's involved in excitatory inhibitory reactions within the nervous system. Low levels of dopamine are at the root of conditions such as Parkinson's disease. The Neuroscience...
When you exercise, blood flow increases throughout your body, including the brain. Cardiovascular exercises elevate the heart rate more effectively than other workouts. With faster blood flow, the brain receives extra oxygenation for increased...
A brain aneurysm refers to a condition in which the brain's blood vessels balloon and weaken. In some cases, the blood vessel may rupture and lead to symptoms such as sudden and intense headache, stiff neck, convulsions, confusion and loss of...
The hypothalamus controls food intake and body weight through chemical signaling. According to a study published in "Molecular Psychiatry," the hypothalamus serves two functions related to weight loss including feeding and satiety. Chemical...
Sleep disorders affect about 25 percent of the population, according to a 2010 survey in ACEPSI. These debilitating conditions affect both genders and all ages. Prescription medications can readily treat sleep disorders, but such drugs often cause...
As of May 2011, pregnenolone remains available over the counter despite concerns about its safety. In your body, this hormone serves as a building block for other important substances like androgens and estrogens. These hormones play an important...
Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitter produced in the body that elicits feelings of well being and happiness. According to a 2007 report published in the "Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience," individuals who suffer from depression have...
The Society for Neuroscience states that aggression is a "complex social behavior" and can be divided into three categories: predatory aggression, social aggression and defensive aggression. A person with predatory or social aggression seeks out a...
Menthol is a cream that may be applied to the skin to relieve mild to moderate pain from arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, muscle strains or sprains, backache, bruising and cramping, according to Drugs.com. In a report entitled "Menthol: a natural...
Healthy eating is commonly associated with choosing foods with your physical health in mind. However, choosing foods that contribute to your psychological health can also improve your well-being. Knowing which foods help you maintain healthy...
Experiments clearly suggests that exercise leading to improved physical fitness can change both the structure and function of the brains of older animals, according to Arthur F. Kramer and colleagues, who published their findings in the August...
Incremental learning is based on the principle of effectively gaining knowledge and acquiring skills by starting with simple and basic principles before advancing to more complex information. This concept is directly related to a child's stages of...
If you're feeling a little foggy, perhaps a handful of blueberries could help. Blueberries contain antioxidants and compounds that could help enhance cognition and other brain functions, if you believe the hype. While studies on blueberry benefits...
Serotonin helps your body to perform many vital functions. Researchers have found that foods that contain high amounts of carbohydrates raise your levels of serotonin, whereas other foods you might expect to raise serotonin, such as bananas and...
Eyes work from the moment they open in the morning until they close at night, absorbing and processing tens of thousands of bits of information, such as colors, shapes and movements. However, the eye has some very basic functions, without which...
Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers. Endorphins bind to the opioid receptor -- the same receptor the powerful painkiller morphine binds to. Endorphins also trigger a pleasure response by activating dopamine receptors. Studies show...
Vitamin B-12, also called cobalamin, is found in all foods of animal origin. It is the largest in size and the most complex of all the vitamins. The role of vitamins and minerals within the body is to act as either a cofactor or coenzyme in...
The human brain acts like "a powerful computer" that controls how people move, think and react, according to the Science Kids website explains. To protect this vital organ, more than 20 bones join together to create a protective covering called...
According to the Mayo Clinic, serotonin is a chemical manufactured by the human body, used for the proper functioning of various nerves throughout the body and the brain. References to serotonin and its links to mental illness, such as depression,...
The effectiveness of ear reflexology, and auriculotherapy in general, is a subject of debate for some in the scientific and medical community. The journal "Autonomic Neuroscience" published a study on autonomic responses to stimulation of...
