If you listen to Led Zeppelin and have ever heard the song Communication Break down, that is the tune you would sing the title of this blog too. Just thought I'd give ya some background on the way my mind wonders. The way the mind wonders is pretty funny I think we can all agree. Mine is one that many of the people around me have always wondered where it comes up with some of the things I do. If you know me, and your reading this, lets be honest. I am known to do some really dumb, questionable, energetic, funny, or just plain out of the ordinary things through out my life. Then comes the jokes from people like, "What are you smoking dude?" Or, "Are you friggin high?" My replies consist of either "ya, on life", or "hell no man, just motivated." My behaviors may be different, but are definitely not inspired by drug use.
Many people though can't say the same. Our behaviors and energy levels are greatly effected by the action of different neurotransmitters in our brain shooting across synaptic gaps all throughout our brain and body. When drugs are used/abused by individuals, different neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, endorphines, and GABA to name a few begin to flow through our system in a very altered way compared to the way the neurotransmitters NATURALLY travel.
Ok, your probably wondering what each of neurotransmitters do and I'll be getting to that eventually but for now, I'd like to quit rambling and get to my main point. The drugs of our day to day choice and drugs of bad choice as well and how they effect some of these certain neurotransmitters. Coffee, tea, and most soda have that ever-so neglected drug of caffeine inside of them. Then for those of us that are over 18 and making their own choices, Nicotine is another legal drug of choice obtained through cigarettes, dip, and even gum. Upping the ante after the age of 21 is reached, some like to legally end their hard day at work with some form of Alcohol. Alcohol, as most of us all know is ok when drank in moderation, and can very easily be abused by those of whom that decide to drink a little too much.
Lets get down to the science of em now eh? Caffeine of course is a stimulant and has been known to make people energetic. The chemical increases heart rate, and stimulates the good-choice-making prefrontal cortex in the brain. Its not addictive in the reward center of the brain that is activated by the brain though. With increase of the neurotransmitter Dopamine, it makes the reward and dependency urges in the brain become more attached to certain substances. With no action on the dopaminergic system, caffeine is mainly just used as a wake up in the morning, or a PM pick-me-up. Caffeine, though, is also a diuretic meaning it dehydrates the body by making the kidneys work over time and secrete more fluids to be prepared to go to the bathroom a little more than usual.
On to nicotine now with its well known addictive properties to most all society. THIS chemical is found in cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and specially made gum and patches. What nicotine does is that when it is used by someone in one of those ways, it hits the brain and starts effecting the nervous system within 7-10 seconds of chosen use. It gets into the "rewarding" center of neurotransmission dealing with the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine, when shot between the synaptic gap, is a chemical naturally made in the body that deals with anti depression and promotion of happiness and wellbeing. Nicotine doesn't flow through, but the effects of the nicotine on the system promote the flow of dopamine by a margin that is not normal for the body to do. Through said studies, nicotines effects on the dopamine flow aren't near as high as the effects of other stronger and very illegal drugs. Over time, nicotine addiction becomes stronger and stronger leading to higher doses and with drawls from the drug. Nicotine use--increase dopamine flow--happy reward system :).
"Booze it!" On to alcohol. GABA, the neurotransmitter that promotes INACTIVITY, I repeat, INACTIVITY in the brain is (you guessed it) greatly increased in flow throughout the nervous system when you "booze it". That is why driving and operating machinery is greatly discouraged when under the influence of alcohol. One can't react to daily life process as well as they could while not under the influence. Alcohols promotion of inactivity would classify it as a depressant or a downer.
These are just a brief description of three chemicals we put in our bodies from time to time in our lives and their neurotransmission intrusion on our bodies. There are countless drugs and chemicals in this world that could be put into our bodies in some way shape or form leading to altercation in behavior, and physical well being. The neurotransmitters naturally produced in our body flow just fine from pre synaptic to post synaptic terminals, and need not to be altered in any way by substances that are known to be illegal, or just bad for you. Some seldom cases involve doctors advice to alter that flow which is perfectly fine. But if the doc would say its bad to put in your body, then you pry shouldn't snort, inhale, ingest, or inject it. That's all I'm saying on that subject.
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