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Neurotransmitter

By Terry Martin, About.com

Updated December 28, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition:
A chemical that serves as a messenger between nerve cells, allowing them to communicate with each other.

Research has shown that nicotine increases the level of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure and well-being in a smoker's brain.

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