The 9 Neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Enables muscle action, learning, and memory

With Alzheimer's disease, neurons which produce this neurotransmitter deteriorate

Dopamine

Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

Excess of this neurotransmitter is linked to schizophrenia. Starved of this transmitter, the brain produces the tremors and decreased mobility of Parkinson's disease

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

Undersupply linked to depression. Prozac and some other antidepressant drugs raise this neurotransmitter's levels

Epinephrine / Adrenaline

Increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels, dilates air passages and participates in the fight-or-flight response of the sympathetic nervous system.

Abnormal amounts of this neurotransmitter leads to mood disorders, sleep disturbances, reduced resistance to disease, and changes in vital circulation

Norepinephrine

Helps control alertness and arousal

Undersupply can depress mood

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter

Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory

Oversupply can overstimulate brain, producing migraines or seizures (which is why some people avoid MSG, monosodium glutamate, in food)

Substance-P

A neuropeptide involved in pain perception and inflammatory processes.

Oversupply can cause chronic pain. Undersupply can cause stress andxiety related behaviors

Endorphin

Creates feelings of pleasure and reduces pain

Oversupply can cause hallucinations and disorientation. Undersupply can lead to increased sensitivity to pain