Neurons: their messages and potential!

You can find an excellent and really detailed review of how neurons communicate at Psych Sim. It's a bit more than you actually need to know (for example, no need to get hung up on axon chemistry and all that) but provides great diagrams, interactives and a summary.

I highly reccommend that you also watch some of the following videos:


A generalized introduction, this clip doesn't get into specifics about neurons until about 1:51, but the intro will serve you well.

This is a summary that is useful if you can deal with the British spellings ("neurones" in particular drove me crazy) and the "club soul?" music.

Straight up action potential, force yourself to watch it.

Get to know your neural synapses.

An instant classic: Neurotransmitter Love Song

The more of these you can watch, the better. They're all pretty short and should help you get a better grip on your neurons.

Don't Squander Your Dopamine!

Perhaps Rick James said it best, "cocaine is a hell of a drug", but why? It impersonates one of our loveliest neurotransmitters, dopamine. This article in the NY Times examines new research on the lasting effects of drug abuse on the nervous system. The possibility that we could be sabotaging our bodies capacities for the natural dopamine highs is one of the best anti-drug messages I've heard in a long time.

Also check out this wonderful overview of the effects of Psychoactive Drugs on the Nervous System