Protons nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ¹H MRS offers a truly non-invasive and multi-metabolic approach for modern neurochemistry. A number of metabolites and macromolecular species are revealed and quantified in the living brain by ¹H MRS. Biochemical, cellular and biophysical factors affecting spectral interpretation are discussed. Technical issues focused on spectral quantification methods are reviewed. It is demonstrated that ¹H MRS provides clinically useful information both for understanding disease and for utilising this data in diagnosis as well as in patient management.