Psychology
Antidepressants: what they do, side effects and stopping safely
What antidepressants treat, how long they take, common side effects, whether they are addictive, and why you should never stop them suddenly.
27 Sept 20268 min read
Neurotransmitter
Pronounced NYOOR-oh-trans-mit-er
Also known as Brain chemical, Chemical messenger, Neurotransmitters
A chemical messenger that carries signals from one nerve cell to the next, or to a muscle or gland. Serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, GABA and glutamate are examples.
In Psychology
Nerve cells do not quite touch. When a signal reaches the end of one, it releases a neurotransmitter into the tiny gap between cells; the chemical crosses, attaches to receptors on the next cell and passes the message on. It is then broken down or taken back up to be reused.
Some neurotransmitters, such as glutamate, make the next cell more likely to fire; others, such as GABA, calm it. Together they take part in everything from movement and heartbeat to mood, sleep and attention.
Why they matter in mental health
Many psychiatric medicines act on neurotransmitters: slow the reuptake of , block receptors, and strengthen GABA's calming effect. Even so, how these medicines help is not fully understood, and mental illness is not simply a "chemical imbalance" — genes, life events, stress, sleep and thinking patterns all play a part.
Where this comes up
Psychology
Dopamine: what it really does, and what 'dopamine detox' gets wrong
Dopamine is less a 'happy chemical' than a signal for wanting, learning and movement. Here is what it does, how drugs and apps exploit it, and what 'dopamine detox' misses.
27 Sept 20268 min read
Related terms
- Serotonin5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamineA chemical messenger involved in mood, sleep, appetite, digestion and much more. About 90% of the body's serotonin is in the gut. It is not simply a "happy chemical".
- DopamineDopamine hit, Dopamine detoxA chemical messenger involved in motivation, reward, learning, movement and attention. It is better thought of as a "seeking and learning" chemical than a "pleasure chemical".
- SSRISelective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, SSRIsSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant, used for depression and many anxiety conditions. Examples are sertraline, fluoxetine, escitalopram, citalopram and paroxetine.
- BenzodiazepineBenzos, BenzodiazepinesSedative medicines — such as alprazolam (Xanax), bromazepam (Lexotanil), clonazepam and diazepam — that quickly calm anxiety and aid sleep but are habit-forming. For short-term use only, under a doctor.