transmitter. It works as an inhibitor, and brings the feelings of relaxation by constricting blood vessels - an act which also gives serotonin the ability to regulate temperature. One interesting set of drugs called agonists, trick receptors into thinking they just received a neurotransmitter stimulation. They are selective, only stimulating specific receptors, and can unclog a blocked receptor with its stimulation abilities. The chemical serotonin, like other transmitters, has several different receptor types, which are 5HT-1, 5HT-2, and 5HT-3. One that has received a lot of attention is the 5-HT2 receptor, as it is one of the receptors that cause addiction on a chemical level.The serotonin 5-HT2 receptor is what is activated when a person does or uses something is addictive. Some examples are the illegal drugs LSD and cocaine, and the diet drugs PhenFen and Fenfluramine (which were banned). It can also be activated when a person overeats or indulges their sweet tooth and feels satisfied. An addiction develops when the body learns to crave the stimulation of these receptors, and the person learns to crave whatever it is that causes their receptors to be activated. It is believed that some people overeat because they crave the sensation of the serotonin 5-HT2 receptors being activated, and eating provides the stimulus needed for activation by increasing the amount of Triptophan and sugar in the blood. The diet drug PhenFen was taken off the market when it proved to be not only habit forming, but also hazardous to the health. What is does is trick the serotonin 5-HT2 receptors into acting as though a large meal has just been eaten. If these receptors get clogged, the brain and body have the opposite reaction. A person can eat a huge meal full of sugar, and still not feel satisfied. Serotonin is also responsible for information processing. It guides our attention to something by analyzing what information is important, and...
