This page provides various definitions to some biochemical and neurological terms that may pertain to nootropics.
- Adenosinergic - acting on adenosine
- Adrenergic - acting on adrenaline (epinephrine) or noradrenaline (norepinephrine)
- Agonist - binds and activates receptor
- Antagonist - blocks a receptor and prevents the action/effect of the receptor's agonist
- Anticholinergic - blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine
- Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) - part of the nervous system that controls unconscious functions
- Cannabinoidergic - acting on the endocannabinoid neurotransmitters
- Cholinergic - refers to acetylcholine
- Dopaminergic - acting on dopamine
- GABAergic - acting on GABA
- GHBergic - acting on gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB)
- Glutamatergic - acting on glutamate
- Glycinergic - acting on glycine
- Histaminergic - acting on histamines
- Melatonergic - acting on melatonin
- Miosis - Pupil constriction (the black part of the eye gets smaller)
- Monoaminergic - acting on monoamine neurotransmitters
- Mydriasis - Pupil dilation (the black part of the eye gets bigger)
- Nootropics - substances with cognitive enhancing properties
- Opioidergic - acting on opioid neuropeptides
- Parasympathetic Nervous System (PN) - regulates the autonomic functions at rest
- Serotonergic - acting on serotonin
- Sigmaergic - acting on the sigma receptor
- Sympathetic Nervous Symptom - regulates the autonomic functions for maintaining homeostasis