What do neurons release to facilitate communication between each other?

Neurons communicate with each other primarily through the release of neurotransmitters, which are specialized chemical messengers. When an electrical impulse, or action potential, travels down the axon of a neuron and reaches the synapse (the junction between two neurons), it triggers the release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic neuron. These neurotransmitters then cross the synaptic cleft and bind to specific receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, leading to a response that can either stimulate or inhibit the generation of a new action potential.

This communication is crucial for numerous processes in the nervous system, such as muscle contraction, reflexes, mood regulation, and many cognitive functions. Neurotransmitters include a variety of substances like dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and acetylcholine, each playing unique roles in synaptic transmission and influencing different aspects of neural functioning.

In contrast, hormones are long-distance signaling molecules released into the bloodstream that primarily affect other organs and tissues, while electrolytes play a role in maintaining the electrical charge necessary for neuron function but are not involved in direct communication. Synaptic fluid is not a recognized term in neuroscience, as the focus is on neurotransmitters and the physiological processes occurring at the synapse