What and how does tobacco affect mood/happiness in relation to brain functions?
Q. I have noticed that my mood tends to change when in social settings when I use chewing tobacco, but have heard it releases serotonin and inhibits dopamine but I am not sure exactly what is going on when I put in a dip. This is a relatively basic question to anyone who has done a little research or knows about tobacco chemistry and I'd appreciate your shared knowledge! Thanks in advance. Also I am an adult and know tobacco is bad, so please excuse any attempts in answers in telling me so. Thanks again!
Asked by cody p - Thu Mar 25 17:18:46 2010 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Nicotine's effects on the mind are mostly a result of its stimulant properties. Nicotine causes a temporary rise in heart rate and blood sugar, delivering more oxygen and energy to the brain. This causes mild euphoria and increased mental acuity. In addition, nicotine is actually believed to increase the levels of dopamine in the synapses. Dopamine is the brain's 'reward' chemical, used to reinforce positive actions such as eating food and engaging in sexual intercourse. As such, its release induces euphoria, and triggers the addiction that is so notorious for nicotine. There are other chemicals in tobacco which also increase the levels of many other neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, epinephrine ('adrenaline') and… [cont.]
Answered by Sam - Thu Mar 25 17:59:15 2010

What is the difference between an antipsychotic and a mood stabiliser?
Q. When I first became ill I was prescribed Risperidone (Antipsychotic), I reacted badly to it and stopped taking it. Within a couple of weeks I hit a major depression, I saw my doctor again and he prescribed me a mood stabiliser (Depakote) & an antidepressant Citalopram. What is the difference between an antipsychotic and mood stabiliser?
Asked by *~ ~* - Mon Jul 28 07:46:51 2008 - - 6 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Anti-psychotic drugs are sometimes used to treat people with bi-polar disorder during a manic phase because of the powerful tranquilising effects. Use is generally brief and carefully monitored as they have lots of unwanted side effects, including that they can precipitate depressive phases. Mood stabilisers are the standard treatment regime for bi-polar and need to be taken continuously for the duration of the disorder. Sometimes when a person first presents with an illness, it is not always possible to differentiate immediately between the diagnoses because there is no definitive test for mental illness. Initial treatment can be a bit 'trial and error' until the medication is found which that person best responds to.
Answered by Johnny Decca - Mon Jul 28 08:29:47 2008

What mood can describe someone who stares into space smiling?
Q. It's that kind of smile that makes everyone else ask what they're smiling about. What mood would you call that? Adjectives, please
Asked by Durkle - Sun Jan 25 03:37:40 2009 - - 6 Answers - 0 Comments

A. blissful?
Answered by elle - Sun Jan 25 04:19:44 2009