1.3 Hormones + Neurotransmitter

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, attention, learning, and movement control (I)

Surplus and deficit of dopamine

Schizophrenia, drug addiction; Parkinson’s disease

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that contributes to the regulation of mood, sleep, and appetite (I)

Surplus and deficit of serotonin

Hallucinations; depression and mood disorders

Endorphins

chemicals that reduce pain signaling + stress and can contribute to pleasure or euphoria (I)

Surplus and deficit of endorphins

Inadequate response to pain; potential involvement in addiction

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter involved in skeletal muscle contraction, learning, and memory (E)

Surplus and deficit of acetylcholine

Muscle spams; Alzheimer’s disease

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter associated with alertness, arousal, and flight-or-flight response (E)

Surplus and deficit of norepinephrine

Anxiety; mental disorders specifically depression

Substance P

A neurotransmitter involved in transmitting pain information (E)

Surplus

Chronic pain

Glutamate

The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, important in learning and memory (E)

Surplus of glutamate

Overstimulation of brain, causing migraines and seizures

GABA

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, reducing neural firing and regulate sleep-wave cycles (I)

Surplus and deficit GABA

Sleep and eating disorders; anxiety, epilepsy

Gherlin

A hormone that stimulates hunger and contributes to meal initiation

Leptin

A hormone that signals stored energy and is associated with satiety and reduced hunger

Oxytocin

A hormone involved in social bonding, attachment, trust, childbirth, and milk release

Melatonin

A hormone that helps regulate circadian timing and the sleep-wake cycle

Leptin

regulates body weight by suppressing hunger