Helping you feel better

References - Long term effects of alcohol and smoking

1. Merck Manual 18th Edition. Merck Research Laboratories, NJ, USA. 2006. p.1703.

2. Merck Manual 18th Edition. Merck Research Laboratories, NJ, USA. 2006. p.1704.

3. Taylor AH, Ussher MH, Faulkner G. The acute effects of exercise on cigarette cravings, withdrawal symptoms, affect and smoking behaviour: a systematic review. Addiction. 2007 Apr;102(4):534-43. PMID: 17286639; Related article PMID:16869848

4. Sarsan A, Ardic F, Ozgen M, Topuz O, Sermez Y. The effects of aerobic and resistance exercises in obese women. Clin Rehabil. 2006 Sep;20(9):773-82.

Natural brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin function in the brain to transmit messages from one nerve cell (neurone) to the next across the spaces between them (synapse).

The basic building block of the nervous system is a nerve cell, or neurone. Neurones have a protective coating, called a myelin sheath. Neurones are shaped differently depending on where they are in the body and what role they play. All neurones have finger-like projections called dendrites and a long fibre called an axon. The axon feathers out and has a number of bumps on it. Each bump sits near to a dendrite from another neurone. The space between the bump and the dendrite is called a synapse. The brain is the powerhouse of the body, even though it only makes up two per cent of the body’s weight. This soft, jelly-like organ has countless billions of neural cross-connections. The brain oversees the workings of the body, while its higher functions give us consciousness and personality (Better Health Channel is a free service provided by the Victorian (Australia) Government. Fact sheet titled Nervous System