Most mind-altering drugs will affect the neurons of the brain by interacting with neurotransmitters at the synapse. They may do this by imitating the shape of particular neurotransmitters, and attaching to the receptor sites associated with those chemicals. This would create artificial excitatory or inhibitory signaling in those neurons. They may also block the action of neurotransmitters, preventing signals which would otherwise have been sent. Finally, they may prevent the reuptake of neurotransmitters, allowing them to remain in the synapse for longer, thus extending and amplifying their effects. All of these may contribute to the experiences of those under the effects of such drugs. Mind-altering drugs do not have any impact on the resting potentials of neurons, or on the thresholds for activation of nerve cells. Though some drugs may exhibit toxic effects, these are more likely to affect the liver than brain cells, and would not be a likely cause of the experiences of the drug user regardless.

Sodium and potassium are crucial in the stages of the action potential. This is due to the fact that by controlling the concentrations of these positively charged ions within the cell, an electrical gradient may be effected across membrane of a neuron. By actively pumping sodium ions out of a cell, a neuron maintains a negative resting potential of approximately -70mV. During the action potential, ion channels open to allow sodium to flood into the cell along the direction of this electrical gradient. This in turn allows the propagation of the nerve impulse down the length of the axon, as positive ions activate more ion channels, not unlike a chain of dominoes. By subsequently controlling the concentration of potassium ions, and pumping sodium out of the cell, membrane resting potential is restored, allowing for the process to repeat itself once sufficient excitation is reached. Calcium ions have a role in the action potential as well, but it is much more specific, and limited to the release of neurotransmitters at the end of an action potential. Nitrogen and chlorine do not have crucial roles in the nerve impulse.

Sodium and potassium are crucial in the stages of the action potential. This is due to the fact that by controlling the concentrations of these positively charged ions within the cell, an electrical gradient may be effected across membrane of a neuron. By actively pumping sodium ions out of a cell, a neuron maintains a negative resting potential of approximately -70mV. During the action potential, ion channels open to allow sodium to flood into the cell along the direction of this electrical gradient. This in turn allows the propagation of the nerve impulse down the length of the axon, as positive ions activate more ion channels, not unlike a chain of dominoes. By subsequently controlling the concentration of potassium ions, and pumping sodium out of the cell, membrane resting potential is restored, allowing for the process to repeat itself once sufficient excitation is reached. Calcium ions have a role in the action potential as well, but it is much more specific, and limited to the release of neurotransmitters at the end of an action potential. Nitrogen and chlorine do not have crucial roles in the nerve impulse.

Nociceptors are sensory neurons that are activated by agitating or painful stimuli. Nociceptors respond to mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimuli to help protect the body from harmful interception. 

"Wernicke's aphasia" is a receptive aphasia that results in problems with language comprehension. People with Wernicke's aphasia speak rapidly and do not make sense. They often do not have insight into their language difficulties. On the other hand, "Broca's aphasia" is an expressive aphasia that results in difficulty generating language. A person with Broca's aphasia produces slow speech with incorrect grammar, making it difficult to understand. “Global aphasia” includes symptoms of both Wernicke's and Broca's aphasias. A person with “conduction aphasia” has difficulties with verbal repetition. Last, “agnosia” involves problems processing sensory information. 

The corpus callosum is a wide set of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the human brain. Agenesis of the corpus callosum, a rare birth defect, results in impaired cognitive abilities (e.g. key processes like face processing and other socially-important skills).

Substantia nigra is named for it's darker appearance relative to its surroundings. It is dark because of high amounts of neuromelanins in its tissues—an apparent byproduct of dopamine production. The substantia nigra is subdivided into two functionally distinct sections: the pars compacta and pars reticulata.

In order to examine brain functions, researchers must examine living individuals, rather than the brains of cadavers. This poses several challenges. Sometimes, animal brains are studied using invasive techniques that would be unethical to perform on human subjects. In order to mitigate these challenges and study brain activities, researchers in psychology have developed several noninvasive techniques including PET scans, MRIs, and electroencephalograms. 

The correct answer is frontal lobe. The frontal lobe is responsible for reward, attention, short-term memory tasks, planning, and motivation. It is also the part that tells a person if they are making a good decision or not. If the frontal lobe is injured, people may not realize they are behaving socially unacceptably. The other choices are incorrect. The parietal lobe is responsible for processing sensory information from your environment. The occipital lobe is responsible for eyesight processing. The temporal lobe is responsible for hearing and memory input. Last, the anterior lobe does not exist.

The parietal lobe is responsible of the sensory integration of taste, temperature, and touch. If someone damages their parietal lobe, then they will experience difficulty with sensory integration.