Monoamines

Monoamines are organic compounds consisting of a single amino group linked to an aromatic ring. The monoamine neurotransmitters include Dopamine, Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine), and Adrenaline (Epinephrine) which are all made by a single biosynthetic pathway, as well as Serotonin (5-hydroxy-tryptamine or 5-HT) and Histamine.

The cells which produce these neurotransmitters are localized to specific regions in the brain, however they have projections which spread out widely throughout the nervous system. The monoamines are a particularly important class of neurotransmitters as most, if not all recreational drugs directly or indirectly influence at least one of these systems in some way.