Migraine in adults

What does your brain do?

Your brain controls most of the functions in your body. It sends out signals to tell different parts of your body what to do. It also gets signals from your eyes, your skin and other body parts to tell it what is going on around you. Your brain controls how you react to what is going on and it also lets you think about what is happening.

Your brain sends signals through nerve cells. These signals are electrical. It is a bit like electricity traveling along electrical wires. But your brain cells can also send signals as chemicals. These chemicals are called

neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help to carry messages between nerve cells. Serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline are all neurotransmitters.

neurotransmitters because they send (or "transmit") signals between nerve cells. Neurotransmitters travel from one cell to another. They tell nerve cells what to do.

Your brain works to keep all of these signals in balance. It filters out what is going on in the background so that you are not overwhelmed by a flood of information. For example, you don't usually notice the pressure receptors in your skin telling you that they feel your clothes against your body.

This information was last updated on May 12, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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