Final answer:
Chemicals similar to those found in our brains can also be found in nature and can impact our physical and mental states. Many of these chemicals have medicinal properties that have been utilized in the pharmaceutical industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The human brain uses chemicals to communicate and generate emotions. A prime example of these is odorant molecules, which are volatile chemicals that bind to receptor proteins in olfactory neurons to stimulate our sense of smell. This process is similar to how physical stimuli, like blows or the chemicals found in certain foods or medications, can also affect our physical and emotional states.
Human health is often influenced by compounds derived from natural sources. Many medications and therapeutic treatments were initially discovered in plants and other organisms. These secondary plant compounds not only protect plants from predators but also have medicinal qualities that can be beneficial for humans. In fact, modern pharmaceutical science underscores the importance of these plant compounds.
Consequently, more than 100,000 natural compounds derived from plants have yet to be fully explored.
Learn more about Brain Chemicals