... basic needs, such as hunger and sex, as well as mood and emotion. In different areas of the brain monoamines have different functions, for example in the cortex dopamine plays a role in cognition; and in the hypothalamus it influences hormonal regulation. Noradrenaline and serotonin are very important in the regulation of mood and all antidepressants function by increasing neurotransmission of the monoamines. Pharmacological drugs act on the function of the neurotransmitters in a variety of ways. Signals can be blocked (in the case of analgesics); using chemicals which impede the receptors in the target neuron. The reuptake of neurotransmitters from the extracellular space can be impeded (Torres, Gainetdinov & Caron, 2003) which increases the magnitude of the signal transmitted (for example antidepressants) or the volume of neurotransmitter itself can be increased (for example LSD is similar in structure to serotonin). This method of treatment of both physical and psychological ...

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