Neurotransmitter
Function
Results if Undersupplied or
Oversupplied
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Excitatory at synapses
involved with movement
and memory
Paralysis, Alzheimer’s disease
(undersupply)
Serotonin
Governs sleep, appetite and
temperature
Enhanced by Prozac
High levels or sensitivity to
it are associated with
serenity and optimism
Depression (undersupply)
Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder (medications block
serotonin reuptake inhibitors –
serotonin cannot re-enter its
home neuron)
Endorphin
Inhibits pain
Noradrenaline
(Norepinephrine)
Induces physical and mental
arousal and elevated mood
Oversupply can lead to lack of
feeling pain.
However, binds to opiates
(heroine and morphine) which
causes addiction
Used to restore blood pressure
to normal in emergency
situations when blood pressure
has dropped dangerously low
'fight or flight' chemical, as
it is responsible for the
body's reaction to stressful
situations
Involved with memory and
learning (ADHD)
Increased heart rate, increased
blood pressure, dilation of
pupils, dilation of air passages
in the lungs and narrowing of
blood vessels in non-essential
organs (oversupply)
Depression (undersupply)
Histamine
has been found to have a
pacemaker function within
the brain
When brain histamine levels
soar out of control, other
frightening symptoms occur.
The tendency to hyperactivity,
compulsive behavior and
severe depression increases as
histamine rises abnormally.
Dopamine
Involved with learning,
emotional arousal and
movement
Schizophrenia (oversupply)
and Parkinson’s disease
(undersupply)
ADHD drugs fall into a class
of medications known as
stimulants. ADHD stimulants
boost levels of two
neurotransmitters, or chemical
messengers in the brain, known
as dopamine and
norepinephrine. Dopamine is
thought to play a role in
memory formation and the
onset of addictive behaviors,
while norepinephrine has been
linked with arousal and
attentiveness.