How it works
The human brain has 1,000,000,000,000 nerve cells (neurons)
that process information. Neurons receive information from
other cells through networks called dendrites. Then the neurons
send the information in electrical impulses to other nerves.
Then the message is passed on to other cells at points of
contact called synapses. This causes the release of chemical
neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are molecules that are
used to communicate messages from a transmitting nerve cell
to a receiving nerve cell. They spreads out across to another
neutron which the neurotransmitter attached itself to and
starts a receptor on the neuron and makes another action potential;
repeating the cycle. Each neuron has about 1000 synapses so
it can receive information from many other cells. If the receptor
is clogged or any part of it is missing then one will have
trouble communicating.
There are different kinds of neurotransmitters. The main ones
are called Noradrenalin, Dopamine, Serotonin, and GABA. There
are transmitting and receiving nerve cells that are specially
trained to receive and transmit them. For example with the
noradrenalin neurotransmitter, two of its receptors are called
alpha-1 and alpha- 2. Alfa-1 stimulates liver to sugar molecule
conversions, making more glucose blood; it also stimulates
consumption of oxygen, this causes energy.
Emotions
Certain chemicals override brain activity and preside over
logical thinking. Dopamine produces feeling of bliss when
it rushes to the frontal lobes; it lessens pain and increases
pleasure. Dopamine is also active in the addictive process.
Norepinephrine, which is actually produced from dopamine,
flows through the brain stimulating adrenalin and the pounding
of the heart. It is also responsible for alertness and orienting
functions. High levels of Norepinephrine help mental focus
and muscle performance. Low levels cause anxiety, lack of
focus, and sleepiness.
Phenylethylamine, which is also found in chocolate, gives
a feeling of bliss. When motivated behavior and arousal activate,
caused by chemicals like these, they start the limbic system.
This causes less integration with the cortex (gray matter
covering the brain), which causing passion or love.
Dopamine also produces oxytocin which stimulates orgasm and
feeling of emotional attachment. So people with less oxytocin
flow are to have sporadic relationship with emotion detachment.
Usually an overload of oxytocin causes a person to experience
heavy breathing sweaty palms and flushed skin, means love.
After a while the body becomes immune to these chemicals,
so people become clingy because they crave these endorphins,
that a continuously presence of a partner stimulates. The
reason why we crave these endorphins is because they are soothing
substances and natural pain killers.
Tryptophan is an amino acid in the blood stream. It competes
with other amino acids to enter brain cells. When insulin
is produced from carbohydrates, it clears all amino acids
except tryptophan. Once tryptophan enters it converts to 5-hydoxytryptophan
and then to serotonin. A high level of serotonin causes positive
moods, which is why most people enjoy eating sweets and grains.
Too much stress can cause low levels of serotonin. Low levels
of serotonin can cause depression, insomnia, and aggressiveness.
Serotonin usually acts as an inhibitor; preventing certain
chemicals to flow that cause theses behaviors. High levels
of dopamine and serotonin cause schizophrenia, while low levels
of both cause depression.
Dopamine will drive to attraction but lasting relationships
increases serotonin. A series of short term relationships
will decrease our serotonin levels, but increasing Norepinephrine.
Also prayer and meditation also increase serotonin levels.
