In this article, an expert explains what happens chemically in the brain so that people who have schizophrenia have hallucinations or fantasies.
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition that affects the way those living with it feel, think and interact with people and the world around them. This is characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, fantasies and disorganized thinking. As with other disorders, It has been identified that the presence of this condition generates some physical and chemical alterations in the brain. and, although more research is needed, Some important findings have been made that we are going to present to you below:
First of all, there are changes in some structures of the brain. According to research in the journal Translational Psychiatry that was presented in 2013, it is possible to see changes in the brain structure of people with schizophrenia. According to this study, It is possible to see a smaller amount of gray matter in the cortex of the brain, especially in the area of the temporal and frontal lobes.
What does this mean?
Gray matter is located on the surface of the brain and It has a significant number of nerve cells that help in the control of motor and sensory processesas well as thinking and decision making. The fact that there is less of this matter means that These processes will work differently in a person with schizophrenia, compared to a person who does not have a disorder.
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In addition to this, it has been seen that there is also a alteration in the white matter of the brain; This is another tissue that is found inside the brain, under the gray matter, and has to do with the sending signals that indicate activity in the body.
Secondly, it has been possible to demonstrate changes in how brain chemical signals work. These signals are carried out by different substances, but in the particular case of schizophrenia, changes have been seen in two specific ones: dopamine and glutamate.
In the case of the dopaminethis substance has to do with psychological functioning, It is involved in mood, decision making, and stress responses.. Evidence indicates that, in the brains of people with schizophrenia, There is an increased sensitivity to this neurotransmitter and this appears to be associated with symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
For its part, a study published in the journal World Psychiatry talks about a greater presence of glutamate in the brains of people who develop this condition. This is another chemical in the brain that is involved in brain processes. perception and reasoning and that, in the case of schizophrenia, affects the consolidation of memories and learning processes.
Due to this, it is very important that people with schizophrenia have adequate medical and therapeutic support, since Through pharmacological and psychological treatment it is possible to adequately manage these changes, and early deterioration and an increase in the severity of symptoms can be avoided.