The Effect of Neurotransmission on Human Behavior

1. 2 Using one or more examples, explain effects of neurotransmission on homophile behavior Our nervous systems consist of between 10 to 100 billion neurons each of which making 13 trillion connections with each other through electrochemical messages that allow people to respond to stimuli, from the environment or from internal changes in a persons body. The neurons send these electrochemical messages through neurotransmission.Electrical impulses traveling slash the axon (body) of a neuron, instigates the release of neurotransmitters, which travel over the synapse, which is the gap between two neurons. Once the neurotransmitters overcome the synapse, they go into receptor sites on the post-synaptic membrane of a neuron, and after having passed on the message, they are either disordered down or reabsorbed by the terminal buttons of the neuron, in a process known as reuptake. Neurotransmission has been shown to consider a large range of human behaviors.Serotonin is a neurotransmit ter that effects sleep, arousal levels, and emotion. In a 1999 muse at Tokyo University, its effects were seen. Kasamatsu and Hirai conducted this study in order to examine the way that sensory deprivations affects the brain. They examine a group of monks going on a 72-hour pilgrimage without food or water. The monks endured the weather without tribute from the cold, and didnt speak among themselves. Two thirds of the way through the pilgrimage, the hallucinations began, taking the shape of ancient ancestors, or hardly a presence at their side.Blood samples, taken immediately after the monks reported their hallucinations, were compared to blood samples taken antecedent to the pilgrimage, and showed increased serotonin levels. These increased serotonin levels activated the hypothalamus and the frontal cortex, causing the monks hallucinations. Kasamatsu and Hirai were sufficient to conclude that sensory deprivation caused increase in serotonin levels, which altered the monks per ception and behavior. Neurotransmitters, like serotonin, go off play a large role in human behavior.However, it is considered reductionist to rely solely on them to explain human behavior they only play a role and cant be held fully responsible for behavior. Research and increased knowledge of neurotransmission has led to the development of drugs that can either take over a neurotransmitter in the case of a deficiency, or block a receptor site if in that respect are excessive neurotransmitters. Understanding how neurotransmitters can affect behavior has led to the development of these drugs, which have helped many a(prenominal) people.