4/13: Neuromodulators and brain chemistry

Welcome to Week 10 of Our Online Brain Fitness Class

Neuromodulators and Brain Chemistry Lesson

This week we learn about the amazing chemicals (neurotransmitters and neuromodulators) our brains produce to help us think, process, remember, and transport information so we can access and use them effectively and intelligently. The best part is that we can actually learn how to induce our brains to produce these chemicals (see the BHQ Connection). And that’s important because these chemicals keep our brains fit and efficient (YOUNG!).

Read: This week may seem a little scientific, but it is the neurotransmitters and neuromodulators which make everything interesting. They produce the feelings of fear, of excitement, of love and more. They help us to focus, encourage us to learn, and provide the incentive we need to do the things that are not so compelling. You can read and view the interactive lesson here, or download and save the handout here. Debbie created this wonderful PowerPoint for her in-person classes and the Zoom session. It does a great job in summarizing neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. View in PowerPoint.

To try creating your own neurons, as shown in the lesson, just download this Easy Play Dough Recipe.

Quiz: Take the quiz

The BrainHQ Connection

Did you know that neurons don't touch when they communicate? You just learned about the chemical molecules our brains secrete called neurotransmitters. “These chemicals ferry nerve impulses across the tiny gaps, or synapses, to other neurons. How many neurotransmitters are secreted is important. If many are secreted, the message travels very strongly. If few are secreted, the message is weak.” (BHQ)

On the BHQ website, read “The Brain 101” (below) to learn more about how these impulses contain the information that we need to make sense of the world around us—to figure out what is what, what goes with what, and much, much more. When this system breaks down, the result can be that we begin to lose ourselves, as in schizophrenics and Alzheimer's patients. Learn how the BrainHQ exercises speed up and sharpen the brain from the roots up, inducing the production of these valuable chemicals, to help keep our brains healthy and fit.

Read: The Brain 101

Zoom Session

This week's Zoom Session will be on Wednesday, April 15th. This week, our lessons are very different, but you will not want to miss Mary's Topics lesson this week, so plan to stay for both if you have the time. Our Basics class at 7:00 will be a great introduction to neurons and brain chemistry, and the very timely Topics lesson will be presented at 7:30. Here’s our schedule of events:

6:30-7:00: For ALL! Q&A time about any of the BHQ exercises or navigating the BHQ or class websites.

7:00-7:30: We will focus on the Weekly Basics Lesson about the Neuromodulators and Brain Chemistry.

7:30–8:00: We will focus on the Weekly Topics Lesson – Conspiracy Theories and the Brain

Just click here to follow the instructions on the Home Page by scrolling down to Weekly Zoom Sessions. Or you can go directly to the Zoom site by clicking here.

First time on Zoom? Just follow the instructions on this Home Page to learn how. Returning students click here to connect directly.

If it’s your first time participating in a Zoom session, you can try it by getting on the site early to see how easy it is to get it set up. We begin our first BHQ Lesson at 6:30, so try getting on at about 6:15-6:30 and call Pat (at the number below) if you have any trouble. You can participate by video and audio, or just listen in by phone. Please let us know if you need help!

Enjoy the lessons, and have a brain-healthy week.

Contact Us

Need help? Contact us at:

Pat Mosteller (pmostell@sdccd.edu) Cell 619-818-3953 - Online classes

Mary Burns (mburns@sdccd.edu) - Online classes

Debbie Flores (dsflores@sdccd.edu) - Cell 619-608-9001 --Online classes & Wednesday AM and PM classes at the Kroc Center

Janet Blair ( blusdbits@gmail.com ) - St Pauls Plaza. Contact for Support and Lesson Review

Yael Lorberfeld (ylorberfeld@sdccd.edu) . Mondays at the Kroc Center, Wednesdays at the College Ave Senior Center (Temple Emanu-El), and Friday mornings at the La Jolla JCC.

Marilyn Kessler (marilynk@ifssd.org) - Mondays at the College Ave Senior Center (Temple Emanu-El)