Word: Neurochemical
Definition:
The word "neurochemical" refers to any organic substance that plays a role in the functioning of the brain and nervous system. These substances are involved in the communication between nerve cells (neurons) and can affect mood, behavior, and many other functions in the body.
Usage Instructions:
- Adjective Form: You can use "neurochemical" as an adjective to describe something related to these substances. For example, you might talk about "neurochemical imbalances" when discussing mental health. - Noun Form: As a noun, "neurochemical" can refer to the specific substances themselves, like dopamine or serotonin.
Example Sentences: 1. "Dopamine is a neurochemical that helps regulate mood and pleasure." 2. "Research shows that neurochemical changes in the brain can affect how we feel and think."
Advanced Usage:
In scientific contexts, you might encounter "neurochemical" used in discussions about brain functions, mental health treatments, or neurological disorders. For example, "The study focused on the neurochemical pathways involved in depression."
Word Variants:
- Neurochemistry (noun): The study of neurochemicals.
Example: "She is studying neurochemistry to understand how brain chemicals affect behavior." - Neurochemicals (plural noun): Refers to multiple substances.
Example: "There are many neurochemicals that influence our emotions."
Different Meanings:
While "neurochemical" primarily relates to substances in the nervous system, it can also refer more broadly to any chemical processes that happen in the brain.
Synonyms:
- Brain chemical
- Neurotransmitter (specific type of neurochemical that transmits signals between neurons)
- Neuromodulator (another type that modulates neuronal activity)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There aren't specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly use "neurochemical," but you might hear phrases like "chemical imbalance" in discussions about mental health.
Summary:
In summary, "neurochemical" is an important term in biology and psychology that describes substances affecting the nervous system.