<p><strong>Short answer</strong><br>
Generally spoken, yes.</p>

<p><strong>Background</strong><br>
Excitatory neurotransmitters lower the firing threshold, inhibitory neurotransmitters raise the firing threshold (Fig. 1). </p>

<p>For example, <strong><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2904507/" rel="noreferrer">glutamate</a></strong> is the principle excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (contrary to what you pose in your question!). Glutamate (Glu) has multiple receptors associated with it. Each and every one of them has an excitatory effect on the postsynaptic neuron. For example, <strong><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5274/" rel="noreferrer">NMDA receptors</a></strong> are ligand-operated cation channels and binding of Glu causes the channel to open. Influx of Na<sup>+</sup> depolarizes the neuron and increases the likelihood it will reach firing threshold. Likewise, <strong><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10802/" rel="noreferrer">AMPA receptors</a></strong> lower firing threshold by opening of Na<sup>+</sup> channels, as does acetylcholine abundant in the peripheral nervous system. Note that the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2904507/" rel="noreferrer">metabotropic Glu receptors</a> have other, indirect effects on the cell.</p>

<p>Inhibitory neurotransmitters like <strong><a href="http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/d/d_04/d_04_m/d_04_m_peu/d_04_m_peu.html" rel="noreferrer">GABA</a></strong>, being the principal counterpart of Glu in the central nervous system operates by opening Cl<sup>-</sup> channels associated with the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor. Influx of negative charge hyperpolarizes the neuron and hence increases firing threshold and hence causes the postsynaptic neuron to fire less often. <a href="http://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/63/1/182" rel="noreferrer">Dopamine receptors</a> are of the metabotropic class and have more indirect effects. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/gl3jc.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/gl3jc.jpg" alt="synapse"></a><br>
<sup>Fig. 1. Excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter responses. source: <a href="https://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/bio-314-study-guide-2013-14-bassham/deck/10258321" rel="noreferrer">Study Blue</a></sup>   </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-22T22:23:31.590Z
+1 Out of curiosity: In addition to excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, there are also excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs.  From http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Balance_of_excitation_and_inhibition: "When inhibition is blocked pharmacologically, cortical activity becomes epileptic."  What is the effect on overall neuronal activity?
Arnon Weinberg
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-23T16:30:20.950Z
@ArnonWeinberg: If you are to believe that neural networks arise and are sustained and kept in check by oscillations you loose that, rhythms of the brain (Buzsaki) goes in depth.
Keno
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-22T22:05:07.480Z
2017-04-22T22:05:07.480Z
AliceD
<p>Is it true that stimulants and the neurotransmitters they mimic, push into the synapse, or keep in the synapse (e.g. dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine) make neurons fire more often, while inhibitory depressants (e.g. GABA) make them fire less often?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-23T23:52:05.503Z
The answer is that there is no simple rule.  There are many different types of neurons in the brains and a given drug can have different effects on the different types of neurons.
honi
<neuroscience><neurophysiology>
Is it true that stimulants make neurons fire more often, and depressants make them fire less often?
DJG
# Is it true that stimulants make neurons fire more often, and depressants make them fire less often?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-04-21)

Is it true that stimulants and the neurotransmitters they mimic, push into the synapse, or keep in the synapse (e.g. dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine) make neurons fire more often, while inhibitory depressants (e.g. GABA) make them fire less often?

**Tags:** neuroscience, neurophysiology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The answer is that there is no simple rule.  There are many different types of neurons in the brains and a given drug can have different effects on the different types of neurons.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-04-22. Score: 5

**Short answer**  
Generally spoken, yes.

**Background**  
Excitatory neurotransmitters lower the firing threshold, inhibitory neurotransmitters raise the firing threshold (Fig. 1).

For example, **[glutamate](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2904507/)** is the principle excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (contrary to what you pose in your question!). Glutamate (Glu) has multiple receptors associated with it. Each and every one of them has an excitatory effect on the postsynaptic neuron. For example, **[NMDA receptors](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5274/)** are ligand-operated cation channels and binding of Glu causes the channel to open. Influx of Na+ depolarizes the neuron and increases the likelihood it will reach firing threshold. Likewise, **[AMPA receptors](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10802/)** lower firing threshold by opening of Na+ channels, as does acetylcholine abundant in the peripheral nervous system. Note that the [metabotropic Glu receptors](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2904507/) have other, indirect effects on the cell.

Inhibitory neurotransmitters like **[GABA](http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/d/d_04/d_04_m/d_04_m_peu/d_04_m_peu.html)**, being the principal counterpart of Glu in the central nervous system operates by opening Cl- channels associated with the GABAA receptor. Influx of negative charge hyperpolarizes the neuron and hence increases firing threshold and hence causes the postsynaptic neuron to fire less often. [Dopamine receptors](http://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/63/1/182) are of the metabotropic class and have more indirect effects.

[![synapse](https://i.sstatic.net/gl3jc.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/gl3jc.jpg)  
Fig. 1. Excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter responses. source: [Study Blue](https://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/bio-314-study-guide-2013-14-bassham/deck/10258321)

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: +1 Out of curiosity: In addition to excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, there are also excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs.  From http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Balance_of_excitation_and_inhibition: "When inhibition is blocked pharmacologically, cortical activity becomes epileptic."  What is the effect on overall neuronal activity?  
> **username_4**: @ArnonWeinberg: If you are to believe that neural networks arise and are sustained and kept in check by oscillations you loose that, rhythms of the brain (Buzsaki) goes in depth.  

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