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Neurotransmitters - GCSE Psychology Definition

Reviewed by: Raj Bonsor

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Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that help carry messages between nerve cells, called neurons.

When a nerve cell wants to send a message to another, it releases neurotransmitters into the tiny gap between them, known as a synapse. These chemicals then bind to special sites on the next nerve cell, which helps pass the message along. Different neurotransmitters have different roles in the brain and can affect mood, memory, sleep, and even how we experience pain.

Understanding neurotransmitters is important in psychology because changes in their levels can influence how we think, feel, and behave.

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Raj Bonsor

Reviewer: Raj Bonsor

Expertise: Psychology & Sociology Content Creator

Raj joined Save My Exams in 2024 as a Senior Content Creator for Psychology & Sociology. Prior to this, she spent fifteen years in the classroom, teaching hundreds of GCSE and A Level students. She has experience as Subject Leader for Psychology and Sociology, and her favourite topics to teach are research methods (especially inferential statistics!) and attachment. She has also successfully taught a number of Level 3 subjects, including criminology, health & social care, and citizenship.

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