Antagonist
Definition
In psychology, an antagonist is a substance that blocks or inhibits the function of a neurotransmitter in the brain.
Analogy
Think of an antagonist as a bouncer at a club. The neurotransmitters are party-goers trying to get inside (the receptor sites). The antagonist (bouncer) prevents certain party-goers (neurotransmitters) from entering, thus controlling who gets to influence the mood of the club (brain).
Related terms
Agonist: A substance that initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor.
Neurotransmitter: Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another 'target' neuron.
Receptor Site: A part of a nerve cell where specific neurotransmitters can fit like keys into locks.
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