7 neurotransmitters involved in brain-body connection

Neurotransmitters are the language of the brain, they allow nerve cells to communicate with other brain cells. However, it's not just that. Muscles also receive signals from neurotransmitters. In fact, these chemical messengers send information throughout the body.

Communication is that we transmit information to each other, between one person and another, and in each of us, the parts also communicate with each other through their own ways.
Communication is an important key to help the departments communicate with each other, keep the operation in sync and bring the best effect for your health. Neurotransmitters do that job, sending instructions from one brain cell to the next and transmitting the information throughout the brain and body.
This process begins when these chemical messengers are stored in small compartments at the end of neurons, where are called synaptic vesicles. Neurotransmitters live here until your brain needs to send a message.
When a neuron executes a command (called an action potential trigger), the neurotransmitters start working. These action potentials temporarily push the neuron into a higher energy state. More energy means that brain cells can dump chemical neurotransmitters into the space between them and the next neuron. The space between these neurons is called a synapse.
Neurotransmitters are then collected from the synapse by neighboring neurons. A chain reaction ensues. Each brain cell secretes neurotransmitters to relay messages. When the command is completed, the neurotransmitters are disrupted, washed away, or returned to the synaptic vesicles from which they came.

While there are dozens of neurotransmitters, there are 7 main ones involved in brain connections - our bodies need to know. Different types of neurotransmitters work differently. Some manage your heart rate and blood pressure. Others can make you feel motivated, stabilize your mood, or help you fall asleep. Based on the action of each neurotransmitter, they are divided into 2 different types:
Some are excitatory neurotransmitters: This means they encourage other brain cells to issue commands. Other neurotransmitters are considered inhibitory: They block action potentials and help your brain shut down actions. Both of these groups of substances are useful and necessary for your body to function at its best. They do a lot to keep your body and brain working in tandem.
2.1. Glutamate This amino acid is common in your diet, it acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter. Glutamate stimulates command neurons. Glutamate is not only present in your diet, but it is also present in 90% of synapses, acting as the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.
Only a small amount of glutamate is needed to stimulate the surrounding brain cells. When neurons are functioning normally, all glutamate secreted by the cell is taken up by glutamate transport molecules again. This ensures that glutamate levels remain low in the synapse. Because too much glutamate can make it difficult for your brain. Too much glutamate can overstimulate cells. So much so that the nerve cells can't put their energy back into action. This dangerously excited state causes brain cells to lock up and stop working.
The good thing is that the carrier proteins are there to get rid of excess glutamate and protect your brain by cleaning the synapse after each action potential.
Neuroplasticity also relies on glutamate. That's because your brain uses glutamate to build pathways between nerve cells that reinforce memory and help you learn.

2.2 GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) If glutamate is the most excitatory chemical messenger, then GABA is its antagonist. GABA is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter. It reduces activity in the central nervous system and blocks certain signals from your brain.
Without GABA, your brain will always be "on". You need GABA to produce a calming effect that slows you down. It lowers your heart rate and blood pressure. GABA helps you relax and fall asleep. Normal stresses in your life respond well to GABA.
The fact that you take time to relax before going to bed. Reducing blue light exposure can support GABA production in your brain. Deep breathing and meditation can also boost GABA. This helps you reduce stress and fall asleep faster.
2.3. Dopamine The most thrilling neurotransmitter is dopamine. That's because it plays an important role in the brain's reward system.
Dopamine floods the synapse, between neurons when something rewarding happens. It is responsible for the joy when you complete a goal or succeed in a task. Dopamine stimulates your brain and gives a feeling of euphoria.
Certain drugs have an impact on your brain's reward system. They stimulate the brain to release too much dopamine. This creates a feeling of happiness that is temporary, or for a certain period of time. But then, as the drug wears off, the drop in dopamine can leave you feeling depressed, tired, and less interested in your favorite activities.
Drugs aren't the only way to disrupt the normal levels of dopamine in your brain. Addictive activities such as video games, gambling, and shopping also produce similarly high levels of dopamine. An increase in dopamine in your brain can make these habits difficult to change. That's why it's so important to understand how dopamine works so you can control these behaviors.
The effects of dopamine have many positive sides:
It promotes alertness; It helps your pancreas release the right amount of insulin after you eat; Dopamine also coordinates your brain and body to produce voluntary movement; Writing names, typing, and driving a car are all made possible thanks to dopamine.

2.4. Adrenaline (Epinephrine) If you've had a panic attack before, you know the feeling comes from adrenaline - also known as epinephrine. This neurotransmitter is responsible for your body's fight response.
Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands located above your kidneys. But this chemical messenger works throughout the central nervous system to increase your heart rate and get oxygen to your muscles quickly.
Why do you need adrenaline if you can never be in a real fight or you are running fast with a predator chasing you? Because your daily life offers so many situations that need a similar response.
Adrenaline is the body's defense mechanism against stress. If you're late and afraid of missing the plane, epinephrine will speed up your breathing and heart rate so you can speed through the security line.
Amusement parks profit by taking advantage of adrenaline. They take advantage of the thrills that adrenaline can bring. It can make you feel jumpy in a haunted house or make your palms sweat as you ride a roller coaster.
Adrenaline also helps you make decisions clearly. You may feel it working when you take a test at school. Neurotransmitters like adrenaline can help your body know how your brain wants to react to stressful situations.
2.5. Serotonin Serotonin is an important brain chemical that also does a lot of work in your small intestine.
Serotonin in your digestive tract promotes a feeling of satisfaction after eating and keeps you cravings. When a food you eat doesn't sit well with your stomach, serotonin helps your body get rid of it.
Rotten or spoiled food can make you nauseous. That's because serotonin comes into play when you eat a potentially toxic food. It activates your brain making you feel nauseous and helps your intestines get rid of food quickly.
In your brain, serotonin works a little differently. It has a lot of effects on your mood such as promoting feelings of wellbeing and happiness. Serotonin also helps you achieve better sleep and set the body's circadian clock.
Serotonin imbalance may occur. When the brain doesn't produce enough serotonin, you can feel bad and lose sleep. Confusion may arise.
On the other hand, too much serotonin moving through your brain can be more dangerous. Some illicit drugs cause your brain to dump all its serotonin stores into the synapse at once. The sudden increase in serotonin and the subsequent fall is known as serotonin syndrome. This can create paranoia, impair judgment, and negatively impact your memory. So protect your brain's supply of serotonin to maintain this delicate balance.

2.6 Oxytocin This neurotransmitter is more than just the “love hormone” as we all know it. It's not just a cuddly chemical messenger, it's made with many other uses as well.
Oxytocin is a powerful neurotransmitter that affects many body functions. Your brain makes oxytocin in the hypothalamus and releases it through the pituitary gland to trigger responses throughout the body.
Oxytocin causes the muscles in the uterine wall to contract when a woman gives birth. It is this chemical messenger that promotes the bond between mother and child shortly after birth. Oxytocin also helps with lactation and stimulates milk secretion from the mammary glands.
Oxytocin also plays an important role in the body of both women and men. It helps your brain form strong connections of loyalty and trust. This helps you create important relationships with friends and family. Be grateful to the chemical messenger the next time you come into contact with the people you care about. In addition, your body needs oxytocin for physical and social health - to live and love.
2.7 Acetylcholine Acetylcholine may be last on this list, but this neurotransmitter was discovered first in the human body. Acetylcholine affects your muscles directly.
Acetylcholine acts at the neuromuscular junction. That's the point where your nervous system and muscles meet. When acetylcholine is released from nerve cells, receptor proteins on muscle fibers take hold of it. Then, the presence of acetylcholine activates an action potential or command in the muscle fiber. But instead of sending a signal to a brain cell, acetylcholine causes your muscles to contract.
Every time you exercise your muscles, acetylcholine will work. These can be voluntary movements or involuntary movements like your heartbeat or contractions of peristalsis to move food through your digestive tract.
Muscle movements are not all that acetylcholine gives you. The brain's learning and memory functions are also affected by this important neurotransmitter.

Ways to make them work more efficiently for your health include:
Planning for enough sleep each night is a great way to give your brain a rest thanks to GABA; Serotonin keeps your gut happy by eliminating foods that upset your stomach. So eat plenty of protein to restore serotonin levels in your gut; You can boost oxytocin production by holding your baby close and spending time with the people you love; You can control your dopamine levels by noticing addictive behavior creeping into your daily routine. Neurotransmitters perform many important jobs in your body. From heart rate to breathing, digestion and bonding, chemical messengers keep your brain and body in touch. Therefore, a lack of neurotransmitters can seriously affect the functioning of the nervous system, thereby negatively impacting your health.

References: askthescientists.com