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What Are Neurons And Synapses?

A rudimentary explanation for simpletons…like myself

Derek London
3 min readJul 4, 2021
Image from https://scitechdaily.com/pioneering-sensory-neuron-replication-new-technique-to-fast-track-pain-research/

If you follow my blogs, you know that I’m developing a series of pieces on the subject of behavioural neuroscience. That is, the intersection between psychology and neuroscience. It is simply undeniable that our complex body chemistry, especially found in the brain — called neurotransmitters — have a real and potent influence on everything we think, feel and do.

Fundamental to this is understanding how neurons and synapses actually behave. That’s what we’ll be looking at today.

These discussions are loosely framed around a book I was invited to review. It’s called Overloaded, authored by Ginny Smith. If you want to watch my official response, hit this link:

What are neurons?

Neurons are extremely diverse both in their type and function. For instance, there are sensory neurons. Sensory neurons deliver messages from your senses to your brain and spinal cord, which are referred to as your central nervous system.

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Derek London
Derek London

Written by Derek London

Editor for Diogenes Lounge. Writer for ILLUMINATION and a YouTube personality. Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHBpAoID8i6tqz6ksLSY8ow

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