What are excitatory and inhibitory signals?

Neurons use excitatory and inhibitory signals to talk to each other like friends on a playground.

Imagine your brain is like a big school, and neurons are the kids who pass notes to each other. An excitatory signal is like getting a note that says, “Hey, come play soccer!” It makes the neuron more likely to fire off its own message. On the flip side, an inhibitory signal is like getting a note that says, “Don’t go now, we’re almost done with our game.” It makes the neuron less likely to send out its message.

Think of your favorite toy. If you hear a loud, exciting noise (like the sound of a bell), that’s like an excitatory signal, it gets you all ready to play. But if someone says, “Wait for me,” and you have to stop what you’re doing, that’s like an inhibitory signal, it tells your brain to hold on just a little longer.

These signals help the brain decide which messages are important and which can wait, just like how you choose between playing with your friends or finishing your snack.