This review provides a brief summary of the physical basis of magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) and its application in the human brain. We discuss the chemical structure, signal properties, biological function, normal spatial distribution and diagnostic potential of the more significant metabolites detectable in brain tissue: N-acetylaspartate, N-acetylaspartylglutamate, choline-containing substances, creatine, phosphocreatine, myo-inositol, glutamine and glutamate. We also present a few notes on the importance of proper spectral quantification and contemporary trends in ¹H MRS. [corrected].