Figure 3B. Neurotransmitters are diverse chemical massengers between
neurons. Neuropeptides are chemical couriers that signal different glands of
the body to make hormones.For example, when you have a sexual fantasy, all three of these factors
are called to action. First, as you start to think a few thoughts, your brain
whips up some neurotransmitters that turn on a network of neurons, which
creates pictures in your mind. These chemicals then stimulate the release of
specific neuropeptides into your bloodstream. Once they reach your sexual
glands, those peptides bind to the cells of those tissues; they turn on your
hormonal system, and—presto—things start happening. You’ve made your
fantasy thoughts so real in your mind that your body starts to get prepared
for an actual sexual experience (ahead of the event). That’s how powerfully
mind and body are related.
By the same means, if you start to think about confronting your teenager
over the new dent in the car, your neurotransmitters would start the thought
process in your brain to produce a specific level of mind, your
neuropeptides would chemically signal your body in a specific way, and
you would begin to feel a bit riled up. As the peptides find their way to your
adrenal glands, they would then be prompted to release the hormones
adrenaline and cortisol—and now you are definitely feeling fired up.
Chemically, your body is ready for battle.
The Thinking and Feeling Loop
As you think different thoughts, your brain circuits fire in corresponding
sequences, patterns, and combinations, which then produce levels of mind
equal to those thoughts. Once these specific networks of neurons are
activated, the brain produces specific chemicals with the exact signature to
match those thoughts so that you can feel the way you were just thinking.
Therefore, when you have great thoughts or loving thoughts or joyous
thoughts, you produce chemicals that make you feel great or loving or
joyful. The same holds true if you have negative, fearful, or impatient
thoughts. In a matter of seconds, you begin to feel negative or anxious or
impatient.