Glossary

Browse our collection of terms and definitions

A

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter for attention and muscle activation.

Action Potential

Rapid electrical change propagating along axons.

Adaptogen

Substance helping the body adapt to stress.

Agonist

Compound that activates a receptor.

Alpha-GPC

Choline compound supporting acetylcholine synthesis.

Alpha Waves

Brain waves during wakeful relaxation (8-12 Hz).

Amino Acid

Building blocks of proteins.

Ampakine

Compounds enhancing AMPA receptor function.

AMPA Receptor

Glutamate receptor for fast synaptic transmission.

Amygdala

An almond-shaped structure involved in emotion and memory.

Antagonist

Compound that blocks receptor activation.

Antioxidant

Compounds preventing oxidation damage.

Anxiolytic

Substance that reduces anxiety.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death.

Astrocyte

Star-shaped glial cells supporting neurons.

ATP

The primary source of chemical energy in cells.

Attention

Sustained concentration on specific stimuli.

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates unconscious bodily functions.

Autophagy

Cellular process removing damaged components.

Axon

Long projection transmitting electrical impulses.

B

Basal Ganglia

Nuclei involved in motor control and learning.

BDNF

Protein supporting neuron growth and neurogenesis.

Beta Waves

Brain waves during active thinking (13-30 Hz).

Bioavailability

Proportion of substance reaching circulation.

Biofeedback

Technique for awareness of physiological functions.

Blood Brain Barrier

A selective barrier protecting the central nervous system.

Botanical Extract

Substance obtained from plants.

Brain

The main organ of the nervous system.

Brain Stem

The posterior part of the brain controlling basic life functions.

Brain Waves

Synchronized electrical pulses from neurons.

C

Central Nervous System

The brain and spinal cord that processes and integrates information.

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movements, balance, and motor learning.

Cerebral Cortex

The brain's outer layer essential for higher cognitive functions.

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Fluid providing buoyancy and protection to the brain and spinal cord.

Cholesterol

Lipid essential for cell membranes.

Choline

Essential nutrient for acetylcholine synthesis.

Circadian Rhythm

The internal 24-hour cycle.

Complexity

Property of systems with many interacting components.

Cortisol

Stress hormone regulating metabolism.

Creativity

The ability to generate novel and valuable ideas.

Critical Thinking

Objective analysis and evaluation of information.

D

Delta Waves

Brain waves during deep sleep (0.5-4 Hz).

Dendrite

Branched structures receiving information from other neurons.

DNA

The molecule containing genetic information.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter regulating mood, reward, and motor control.

E

EEG

Records brain's electrical activity via scalp electrodes.

Emergence

Novel properties arising from simpler components.

Empathy

The capacity to understand others' feelings.

Endogenous

Originating from within the organism.

Endorphin

Endogenous opioid peptides reducing pain.

Enteric Nervous System

The nervous system embedded in the gastrointestinal tract.

Enzyme

Proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions.

Epigenome

Chemical modifications altering gene expression.

Epinephrine

Hormone involved in the fight-or-flight response.

Evolution

The process of change in living organisms.

Excitotoxicity

Neuron damage from excessive glutamate stimulation.

Executive Function

Higher-order processes for planning and task management.

Exogenous

Originating from outside the organism.

F

Fatty Acid

Components of cell membranes and energy storage.

Flow State

Complete immersion in skillful activity.

fMRI

Measures brain activity through blood oxygenation changes.

Free Radical

Highly reactive molecules that can damage cells.

Frontal Lobe

Executes conscious thinking, decision-making, and motor control.

G

GABA

The main inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Gamma Waves

Brain waves during higher cognitive functions (30-100 Hz).

Gene

DNA region containing protein assembly instructions.

Glial Cell

Non-neuronal cells providing support and protection.

Glutamate

The main excitatory neurotransmitter.

H

Half-Life

Time for concentration to decrease by half.

Hippocampus

A seahorse-shaped structure essential for memory consolidation.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of stable internal conditions.

HPA Axis

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulating stress response.

Hypothalamus

Links the nervous and endocrine systems.

I

Inflammation

The body's immune response to injury.

Intelligence

The capacity to think rationally and adapt.

Intuition

Immediate understanding without conscious reasoning.

L

Limbic System

Brain structures involved in emotional processes and memory.

Long Term Memory

Storage of information for extended periods.

Long Term Potentiation

Persistent strengthening of synapses.

M

MAO

Enzymes breaking down monoamine neurotransmitters.

Melatonin

Hormone regulating sleep-wake cycles.

Memory

The process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information.

Metabolism

Chemical reactions sustaining life.

Metacognition

Awareness of one's own thought processes.

Microbiome

The complete collection of microorganisms in the body.

Microglia

Immune cells of the central nervous system.

Mineral

Inorganic elements essential for physiological functions.

Mirror Neuron

Neurons firing during action execution or observation.

Mitochondria

Cellular organelles generating ATP energy.

Motor Control

Regulation of movement.

Myelin

Insulating substance increasing impulse speed.

N

NAD

Coenzyme essential for cellular metabolism.

Nervous System

The complex network of nerves and cells that convey information to and from the brain.

Neural Network

Interconnected neurons acting together.

Neural Stem Cell

Undifferentiated cells capable of becoming neurons or glial cells.

Neurogenesis

The generation of new neurons throughout life.

Neurohacking

Optimizing nervous system function.

Neuron

The basic element of the nervous system.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize and form new connections.

Neurotoxin

Substance harmful to neurons.

Neurotransmitter

The main chemical messengers of neurons.

NGF

Nerve growth factor supporting neuron survival.

NMDA Receptor

Glutamate receptor crucial for synaptic plasticity.

Nootropic

Substance enhancing cognitive function.

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter for attention and alertness.

Nutraceutical

Food-derived product with health benefits.

O

Occipital Lobe

Contains most of the visual cortex.

Oligodendrocyte

Glial cells producing myelin in the CNS.

Oxidative Stress

Imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants.

Oxytocin

Hormone involved in social bonding.

P

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Controls rest-and-digest functions.

Parietal Lobe

Integrates sensory information including touch and spatial awareness.

Peripheral Nervous System

All nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

PET Scan

Visualizes brain activity through metabolic processes.

Phosphatidylserine

Phospholipid important for cognitive function.

Phospholipid

Main component of cell membranes.

Prefrontal Cortex

The front part of the frontal lobe involved in executive function.

Proprioception

The sense of body position and movement.

Protein

Large biomolecules essential for structure and function.

R

Racetam

Synthetic compounds with nootropic effects.

Reaction Time

Time between stimulus and response.

Resilience

The ability to recover from adversity.

Reuptake Inhibitor

Molecule blocking neurotransmitter reabsorption.

RNA

Molecule involved in protein synthesis.

S

Self-Organization

Spontaneous emergence of order.

Sensory Acuity

Sharpness of the senses.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter regulating mood, appetite, and sleep.

Short Term Memory

System holding limited information briefly.

Smart Drug

Compound enhancing cognitive abilities.

Somatic Nervous System

The system handling sensory reception and voluntary movement.

Spatial Awareness

Perception of objects in relation to oneself.

Stack

Combination of compounds for synergistic effects.

Stimulant

Substance increasing nervous system activity.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Manages fight-or-flight responses.

Synapse

The interface between neurons for signal transmission.

Synaptic Plasticity

The capacity of synapses to strengthen or weaken.

Synaptogenesis

The formation of new synaptic connections.

Synergy

Whole system behavior unpredictable from parts.

Systems Science

Transdisciplinary study of complex systems.

T

Telomere

Protective sequences at chromosome ends.

Temporal Lobe

Processes auditory information and visual interpretation.

Thalamus

A relay station for sensory and motor signals.

Theta Waves

Brain waves during drowsiness and meditation (4-8 Hz).

V

Vagus Nerve

The longest cranial nerve controlling heart, lungs, and digestion.

Vitamin

Organic compounds required for metabolism.

W

Working Memory

Temporary storage for information in current awareness.