NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse
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  • Serotonin: A neurotransmitter that regulates many functions, including mood, appetite, and sensory perception. [5]
  • Sex hormones: Hormones that are found in higher quantities in one sex than in the other. Male sex hormones are the androgens, which include testosterone; and the female sex hormones are the estrogens and progesterone. [2]
  • Stimulants: A class of drugs that elevates mood, increases feelings of well-being, and increases energy and alertness. These drugs produce euphoria and are powerfully rewarding. Stimulants include cocaine, Methamphetamine, and methylphenidate (Ritalin). [5]
  • Synapse: The site where presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons communicate with each other. [5]
  • Synaptic space (or synaptic cleft): The intercellular space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons. [5]
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