Do you want chemical messengers?
I have many in the form of Neurotransmitters…
Psychology is the study of the human mind and how it functions, principally in the perspective of behaviour. Chemistry relates to psychology because chemicals affect our moods and behaviour. These processes include the release and re-uptake of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters, also known as chemical messengers, are endogenous chemicals that enable neurotransmission. They transmit signals across a chemical synapse, such as a neuromuscular junction, from one neuron (nerve cell) to another “target” neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell. Our brains contain over 100 chemicals that tell the brain and body how to act. If these chemicals are out of balance, they can cause various psychological problems such as depression and bipolar disorder. Chemicals that we ingest can cause such imbalances. Other substances when taken as medicines can restore the chemical balances. Norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine are three important chemicals that affect our moods and behaviour. There are over 100 naturally occurring neurotransmitters like Asparagine, Glutamate, Gamma-aminobutyric acid, Acetylcholine, Histamine, Tyramine, Octopamine, Synephrine, Virodhamine, Dynorphin, Glucagon, Kisspeptin, Secretin, Vasopressin, Tryptamine, Anandamide, Motilin, Orexin B, Enkephalin, Galanin etc.
Are you running out of love, trust and attachment?
You need support of Oxytocin…
Here in this story, let me discuss about the cause of some most important feelings in mankind: love, trust and attachment. Nothing can be better responsible for these except Oxytocin (C₄₃H₆₆N₁₂O₁₂S₂). It was discovered by Henry Dale in 1906. Its molecular structure was discovered in 1952. The word oxytocin was coined from the term oxytocic. Greek oxys, and, tokos, meaning “quick birth”.
Oxytocin is a hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. Some people have incorrectly labeled it the “love hormone,” because it is associated with good feelings and emotions. But its role in the body is much more multifaceted than that.
The hormone is in fact produced in the pituitary gland and it is fundamentally a peptide hormone and neuropeptide. Oxytocin is in general produced by the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary. It plays a role in social bonding, sexual reproduction in both sexes. Oxytocin is released into the bloodstream as a hormone in response to stretching of the cervix and uterus during labor and with stimulation of the nipples from breastfeeding. This helps with birth, bonding with the baby and milk production. It is also used as an important medication to facilitate childbirth.
