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Effects of neurotransmission on human behaviour (8) (KASAMATSU + HIRAI…
Effects of neurotransmission on human behaviour (8)
INTRODUCTION
various types of neurotransmitters:
serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine + noradrenaline
influence behaviour
neurotransmitter
serotonin
= commonly associated with depression + aggression
a body regulator + controls bodily processes eg. sleep, libido + body temp.
low levels of serotonin = due to efficient re-uptake in pre-synaptic neuron
associated with depression
high levels associated with hallucinations
neurotransmission = transport of messages around the body carried in neurotransmitters
CONCLUSION
spike of serotonin causes hallucinations
study shows the neurotransmitter serotonin affects human behaviour of increased arousal
KASAMATSU + HIRAI 1999
they went on a 72-hour pilgrimage to a hold mountain in Japan
monks didn't consume food / water
Method:
studied group of buddhist monks
did't speak + were exposed to cold weather
Aim:
to see how sensory deprivation affects brain + how serotonin affects behaviour
researchers took blood samples before monks ascended mountain
and blood samples immediately after they reported having hallucinations
Results:
after 48 hours, monks began to hallucinate
'saw' ancient ancestors
found serotonin levels had increased in the monks' brains
thus, higher levels of serotonin activated the hypothalamus + prefrontal cortex
resulted in hallucinations
Conclusion:
sensory deprivation triggered release of serotonin
altered the way the monks experienced the world