Silver Science ♡

Neurons are brain (or nerve) cells that process and transmit information through electrical and chemical signals. There are about 100 billion neurons in the human brain. They form a complex web making an estimated 100 trillion connections. It’s because of this complexity we are able to do everything from moving to thinking. 

Serotonin is a chemical neurons (brain cells) use to communicate. Serotonin is how our brain tells us we are happy. Serotonin is also responsible for regulating mood, appetite and sleep.Low levels of serotonin can cause depression, which is why antidepressants can be used to boost serotonin levels. Many hallucinogenic substances also work via the serotonin pathway.

Dopamine is a chemical neurons (brain cells) use to communicate. Dopamine is how our brain tells us we are having fun. Dopamine acts in the rewards pathway that contributes to you receiving feelings of happiness, well-being and desire.Alterations in the dopamine pathway are associated with Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, schizophrenia, depression and drug addiction.

Caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive drug. Caffeine keeps you awake by halting the effect of the neurotransmitter adenosine. When adenosine binds to receptors in your brain it makes you feel tired. Caffeine binds to the receptors that adenosine would usually bind to, which means adenosine can’t have its effect. This stops you from feeling drowsy.