Nerve Cells (Neurons)
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Nerve cells function in the same way as other cells except for the fact nerve cells extend for long distances across the body and therefore provide the most rapid form of communication. Some neurons are several feet in length. For example, it only takes two neurons to connect your brain to your toes.

Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters are the messenger molecules of the nervous system that diffuse out of the sending neuron, and then activate the receptors located on the receiving neuron. Neurons can discharge up to 10,000 neurotransmitters during a single impulse. When a neurotransmitter reaches an adjacent nerve cell, it speeds (excitatory) or slows (inhibitory) the cells rate of firing. The neurotransmitters released by nerve cells and the hormones circulating in the bloodstream are the chemical equivelant to your moods, thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Some of the best studied neurotransmitters include acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. THE SYNAPSE Neurotransmitters cross the synapse and attach to receptors that are located on another cell. When a neurotransmitter reaches an adjacent nerve cell, it speeds (excitatory) or slows (inhibitory) the cells rate of firing. Less than 2% of all the communication in the body occurs across the synapse. Most communication in the body occurs using blood borne hormones.

NERVES THAT FIRE TOGETHER, WIRE TOGETHER
The more neural networks are used, the stronger their connections become. For example, if someone continuously focuses their attention on anxiety, they will condition themselves to feel anxious all the time. Emotions of the moment structure the physiology of the body, which leads to emotional conditioning over time. The body will literally hardwire itself to continuously “attract” stressful situations in their life. The majority of people mistake stressful situations as something that occurs outside their body.

PROTEIN AND NEUROTRANSMITTERS
The chemistry of the body constantly fluctuates between two primary states, the waking state and the sleeping state. Each state of consciousness is dominated by its own set of neurotransmitters. Some neurotransmitters stimulate the body during the day and others comatose the body at night.

FOOD AND MOOD
Food is a psychoactive drug because it controls your emotional state of mind. Humans constantly self medicate themselves with food. The physical makeup of the body including the hormones it produces are assembled using the nutrients gathered from the diet. Not eating the right foods limit how good you can feel and how productive you are in life.

DOPAMINE
Dopamine allows you to perform fine coordinated muscular movements such as picking up a tiny object. Parkinson’s disease results in the destruction of the part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which contains dopamine producing neurons. The substantia nigra is responsible for sending dopamine to the area of the brain that coordinates movement (the striatum). Dopamine is also a learning neurotransmitter because it strengthens the connections between neurons. Dopamine increases the readiness of a cell to become activated by other hormones and contributes to uncontrollable addictive behavior by locking in the memory, or idea of a drug. Dopamine is the “I’ve got to have it” neurotransmitter. When a person can not find their keys, the impulsive need to find them is from having too much dopamine secretion. It is not that there is too much dopamine, there is too much dopamine readiness in relation to serotonin’s settling effect. Unlike other hormones that oscillate chronologically, dopamine production is activated all day and all night. A good way to increase your sensitivity to dopamine is to take a daily fish oil supplement because the vitamins found in fish oil upgrade dopamine receptors.

ACETYLCHOLINE
Acetylcholine is one of the most important neurotransmitters in regulating memory and other cognitive abilities. For this reason, acetylcholine is also called “the memory molecule.” Acetylcholine is also found at every nerve-muscle connection and stimulates muscle fibers to move. Nerve gas and the venom from an electric eel or cobra paralyzes the muscles that regulate breathing (the diaphragm) by occupying acetylcholine receptors. This causes paralysis and death by causing continual contraction of the muscle fibers that control breathing. Since insects also use acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter, some pesticides contain chemicals that inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine. An over abundance of an acetylcholine-mimicking pesticide in humans can cause side effects if the dosage is high enough.