What exactly is neurochemistry?
Neurochemistry is the specfic study of neurochemicals including neurotransmitters and other molecules (such as psychopharmaceuticals) that influence the function of neurons. This field closely examines how these neurochemicals influence the network of neural operation. Or in simpler words brain chemistry (neurochemistry) is the complex system which allows the brain to function with the use of chemicals known as neurotransmitters which move information around in the brain. Every person's brain chemistry is a little bit different, and a number of things can play a role in the levels of various neurotransmitters in the brain, and how those chemicals affect the brain's function. It is believed that variations in brain chemistry may explain a variety of behavioral disorders and phenomena. The brain is a network of specialized cells called neurons. Each neuron has reserves of neurotransmitters which it can fire when ordered to do so, along with receptors for specific neurotransmitters. Brain activity is created by sending messages with neurotransmitters to signal various cell activities throughout the brain and nervous system. Someone's environment can influence the levels of neurotransmitters and their receptors in the brain, as can factors like diet, medications, and various drugs. Some chemical compounds appear to have long term affects. Nicotine, for example, is heavily involved with neurotransmitter dopamine. These external influences on brain chemistry can cause behavioral changes or alterations in the way the brain functions; people who smoke, for example, form an addiction to cigarettes as a result of the way in which nicotine changes brain chemistry. This project is going to be discussing the different major types of drugs and how they affect the brain.