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The Effect of Psychotropic Drugs on the Human Brain

Medicinenet.com defines psychotropic drugs as any drug capable of affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior. They are able to do so by affecting chemicals, called "neurotransmitters" in the brain differently.

  1. Brain

    • According to healthdiscovery.com, cells within the brain are called neurons, which receive messages sent from chemicals within to create emotions and mood. The brain is comprised of neurons which "fire" off signals to each other to create an overall message.

    Amino Acids and Peptides

    • Amino acids and peptides are major chemical groups that run the brain. The first, amino acids includes GABA, which creates calmness; secondly, peptides, related to self love and finally, monoamines.

    Monoamines

    • The Mental Health Channel reports that the monoamines serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine are three neurotransmitters typically altered by psychotropics. Serotonin is related to mood, norepinephrine energy, as well as dopamine, related to addiction and pleasure.

    Action

    • When neurons "fire" these chemicals, feelings emerge. The chemicals are then taken back into the neuron, creating an even level. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) block the reuptake of serotonin, creating more of it to help alleviate depression.

    GABA

    • Another major class of psychotropic drugs are benzodiazepines, they affect GABA, stimulating to create sedation.

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