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Adenosine

Meaning

Adenosine is a naturally occurring nucleoside that plays a crucial role in cellular energy transfer as a component of ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell. In the context of the nervous system, it functions as an inhibitory neuromodulator, progressively promoting sleep and suppressing arousal. Clinically, it is recognized as a key homeostatic regulator of energy balance, directly linking metabolic activity to the necessity for rest and repair. This molecule’s concentration dictates the fundamental drive for sleep, a state essential for hormonal rebalancing. Its physiological actions are broad, extending to cardiovascular and renal regulation.