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Neurochemistry: Difference between revisions
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''' | '''The word neurochemical comes from ''neurons'' which are the electrical subunit of the brain and ''chemical'' which refers to specific chemicals in the brain called neurochemicals. Neurons are used for immediate messaging whereas the chemical part is used for messaging which has a longer duration.''' | ||
Electricity can only move at the speed of light and therefore is limited in its action as a messenger as it can only work instantaneously. An example of this is the knee jerk response a closed loop reflex, input results in instantaneous output. This is useful for immediate danger scenarios and became a prime fitness driver of evolution. However, there comes a point where there is an overload of information some more important than others. Hence the chemical side evolved giving slower responses, through processing in higher cortex areas, which created a more delayed "intelligent" response.[[File:Dopamine carrot stick donkey.png|alt=Dopamine_carrot_stick_donkey|thumb|'''Figure 1'''. Dopamine is not the goal. Dopamine release causes the progression to a goal.]]However, as we evolved further, the same problem arose if you were more aware of your surroundings then you could see more lions coming to eat you. But there comes a point where there is an overload of information, so many inputs its difficult to figure out which to act on so awareness evolved, which we are experiencing now as consciousness. | Electricity can only move at the speed of light and therefore is limited in its action as a messenger as it can only work instantaneously. An example of this is the knee jerk response a closed loop reflex, input results in instantaneous output. This is useful for immediate danger scenarios and became a prime fitness driver of evolution. However, there comes a point where there is an overload of information some more important than others. Hence the chemical side evolved giving slower responses, through processing in higher cortex areas, which created a more delayed "intelligent" response.[[File:Dopamine carrot stick donkey.png|alt=Dopamine_carrot_stick_donkey|thumb|'''Figure 1'''. Dopamine is not the goal. Dopamine release causes the progression to a goal.]]However, as we evolved further, the same problem arose if you were more aware of your surroundings then you could see more lions coming to eat you. But there comes a point where there is an overload of information, so many inputs its difficult to figure out which to act on so awareness evolved, which we are experiencing now as consciousness. | ||