The human body is the most complex and intricate thing in the universe as we know it. Religious folks say that it’s God’s greatest creation. Scientists will say that it’s the most astounding marvel produced by evolution. Non-dualists will agree with both. Whatever the case, there’s no doubt that the human body is an astounding sight to behold in its intricacy and depth.
One of the most interesting mechanisms within the human body is its communication procedures, or, at least, one of its many: the cellular.
All living things are composed of cells. Since the body is constructed from cells, which are widely regarded as the building blocks of life.s. And to function, these cells need to be able to communicate with one another.
They can do this in a number of different ways; usually by sending some sort of protein or enzyme down a channel to alert another cell of something important. However, the intricacy involved in the many systems that cells employ to communicate is absolutely fascinating.
Cellular communication channels, if we were to zoom in completely, would look like busy mega-cities. Cells send information packets into our bloodstream, which takes on the role of a superhighway. Active areas with lots of cellular communication, like the heart, light up like a business center.
This article will explain a bit about cellular communication with a bit of special focus on a compound called tryptamine. Tryptamine is naturally produced by the human body, and it’s also found in nature – interestingly, as the base of many psychedelic compounds that profoundly change the way that our cells communicate. And, while it can function as a neurotransmitter, it isn’t actually considered one.
How Do Cells Communicate?
The most common form of cellular communication is called signaling. When one cell must alert another cell, they send along a certain signal. Not all types of signals are acknowledged by all cells.
There are numerous different ways that cells can exchange signals. These include:
- Autocrine signaling. This type of signaling allows the cell to communicate with itself, triggering some sort of response or reaction by activating its own receptors.
- Gap junction signaling. Cells that exist side-by-side are often connected by what we call ‘gap junctions.’ Cells can communicate by transmitting information across these gap junctions.
- Paracrine signaling. In paracrine signaling, the messaging cell will communicate with a nearby cell.
- Endocrine signaling is the equivalent of long-distance calling. Cells must send ligands or other organic compounds into the bloodstream so that they can be delivered to the receiving cell which will then respond appropriately.
What Are Cells and Cellular Receptors?
Our body is a giant network of cells that are constantly receiving, sharing, and transmitting information through the use of microscopic mechanisms.
All of these types of signaling involve the use of receptors. A receptor is a protein molecule attached to a cell either internally or externally. These proteins receive chemical signals sent by other molecules and thus release their own subtle responsive signals.
Various types of receptors can be found throughout the human body. The receptors found in the brain are neurotransmitter receptors. They differ significantly in function from the receptors that can be found in the rest of the body.
These are further subdivided into more categories based on the specific type of receptors involved.
Brain Cell Receptors
Brain cells, or neurons, have receptors that are called neurotransmitter receptors, or sometimes just neuroreceptors.
These receptors can either exist on the receiving end of the synapse (the area that binds together two brain cells, in which neurotransmitters ‘float around’ looking for receptors to target) or they can be presynaptic (existing on the same side as the neuron issuing the signal). Which side the signal is delivered on can alter the message and response.
When a postsynaptic receptor receives a signal, it creates a change in the cellular membrane potential. They do this by opening or closing an ion channel.
Each cell in our body is protected by a membrane. This membrane determines what will be allowed to enter or exit the cell. Changes in the membrane’s density or function, called membrane potential, can change what enters or exits the cell.
An ion channel is a pathway through which ions can travel. Ions such as sodium and calcium, are some of the most important messenger compounds that our brain relies on. When a receptor influences the influx or outflux of these important substances, the body can start to behave in a different manner.
Of these neurotransmitter receptors, there are two main types. These are ionotropic and metabotropic receptors.
The ionotropic receptors, as you might now guess, are those that influence the state of the ion channels. They are ligand-gated, meaning that a ligand sent from another cell will act as a key to open up the ion channel.
Ionotropic receptors include:
- GABAa receptors
- NMDA receptors
- Kainate receptors
- AMPA receptors
- Glycine receptors
- Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
- 5-HT3 serotonin receptors
Metabotropic receptors, on the other hand, have no channels to be opened or closed by ligands. Instead, when these receptors are stimulated by neurotransmitters, they begin to modulate the pathways that control the actual function of the neurotransmitters and ion channels. These receptor types include:
- Adrenergic receptors
- Dopamine receptors
- GABAb receptors
- Glutamate receptors
- Histamine receptors
- Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors
- Opioid receptors
- Serotonin receptors
Sensory Receptors
Sensory receptors are quite a bit different from the receptors that deal with neurotransmitters. These receptors are responsive to various types of external stimulation and are thus classified according to what type of stimulation activates them. The most common types of receptors and the relevant stimuli that activate them are:
- Chemoreceptors, stimulated by chemicals
- Thermoreceptors, triggered by temperature
- Mechanoreceptors, which are stimulated by pressure
- Photoreceptors, activated by light
These are broad classifications, with each group containing dozens of different receptors that are tuned to respond to various triggers. For example, baroreceptors are finely tuned to respond to fluctuations in blood pressure. Proprioceptors relate to your sense of position and may relate to balancing.
Sensory receptors can be found all over the body. Those located near the surface of the skin are called cutaneous receptors. Mechanoreceptors are found in all muscle tissue. They help to keep the muscles stretchy and mobile.
What About Tryptamine?
Fans of psychedelics will likely already know a bit about tryptamines. However, many of these people only understand tryptamine as it relates to psychedelic drugs. The compound can also be produced by the body and has numerous important physiological functions. So what is tryptamine, and what is tryptamine used for?
Tryptamine In the Brain & Body
In the body, tryptamine also helps to regulate and restore function to some of the major neurotransmitters in the brain. It regulates the entire system that is associated with dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate.
In the human body, tryptamine is synthesized from the amino acid L-tryptophan. Tryptamine is an indolamine metabolite of tryptophan, characterized by its indole (a fused benzene and pyrrole ring).
Tryptamine is produced in the human gut by bacteria. These bacteria convert tryptophan, which can be found in many foods, into tryptamine. After being produced in the gut it helps to activate serotonin receptors – most of which are found in the gut – and helps to regulate the movement of your bowels.
Many of the most common neurotransmitters – most notably those that are chiefly affected by psychedelics – share one thing in common: the tryptamine structure is nested within their own molecular structure. Often referred to as aminergic neurotransmitters, these include serotonin and dopamine.’
Tryptamine & Drugs
What type of drug is tryptamine? This is a question that many psychonauts are curious about. However, tryptamine itself is not a drug, at least not in the typical sense of the word. That’s not to ignore those asking what is tryptamine used for. It has lots of functions.
Tryptamine is one of the most important components of various drugs, both natural and manmade, that function at least in part as neuromodulators. These include bufotenin – the psychedelic compound derived from Amazonian frogs – DMT and its numerous derivatives, including psilocybin and psilocin.
The tryptamine structure in the molecular core of these substances is likely why they have such a profound effect when administered to humans. The brain recognizes tryptamine and allows for the substances to produce powerful changes in cellular function, resulting in the effects often associated with psychedelics.
The tryptamine family of drugs includes a number of popular psychedelics both legal and illegal. Many of these were first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin and his wife, Ann Shulgin. They were the first scientists to actually study the effects of these powerful compounds. Some of the most popular legal tryptamines are found in psychedelic plants.
Tryptamines generally interact strongly with the serotonin system. This is similar to lysergamides, which are not the same as tryptamines although are sometimes referred to as “complex tryptamines.”
It’s likely the strong similarity between tryptophan and serotonin, and the metabolite of tryptophan (tryptamine) that allow substances with a tryptamine backbone to interact so strongly with the human body.
Conclusion
Neurotransmitters are powerful and important components of our brain and nervous system. Without them, our cells would not be able to properly communicate and we would become bumbling, unable to speak or communicate. Understanding the function of the different neurotransmitter systems, as well as the compounds that interact with them
Tryptamine itself can function sort of like a neurotransmitter, though it has its own unique functions.It can influence the activity of a number of different neurotransmitter systems, however, making it incredibly valuable.
