National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

Which neurotransmitter activates the parasympathetic nervous system facilitating rest?

1. Serotonin

2. Dopamine

3. Norepinephrine

4. Gamma-Amino-Butyric Acid (GABA)

The correct answer is: Serotonin

The correct choice indicating the neurotransmitter that activates the parasympathetic nervous system, facilitating rest, is serotonin. Serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating mood, anxiety, and a sense of well-being. One of its functions in the central nervous system is to promote calm and restful states that are characteristic of the parasympathetic nervous system's operation. When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, it helps to slow down the heart rate, increase intestinal and glandular activity, and relax other muscles, all of which are essential for achieving a restful state. Serotonin contributes to this process by enhancing feelings of relaxation and reducing anxiety, which is vital for maintaining homeostasis. In contrast, the other neurotransmitters mentioned operate differently. Dopamine is primarily associated with reward and pleasure, regulating motivation and emotion rather than rest. Norepinephrine is associated with the body's fight-or-flight response, thereby preparing the body for action rather than rest. Gamma-Amino-Butyric Acid (GABA) acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps to calm the nervous system, but its primary role is to inhibit excitation within the brain rather than directly activating the parasympathetic responses like serotonin does.