Categories in Mind Stress SleepTension & BreathStressSleep PatternsEnergy-VitalityThoughts & ComprehensionMood & EmotionsCommunity, Spiritual LifeAddictions and HabitsCentral Nervous SystemPeripheral Nervous SystemOverviewJump to SymptomsEndocrine Organs Affecting Mood
- Amygdala - The Amygdala influences fear and anxiety (activiation of stress hormones), feelings of pleasure (dopamine), and memory storage.
- Pituitary - The pituitary plays a role in regulating the adrenals via adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
- Adrenals - The adrenals regulate stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
- Thyroid - The thyroid regulates metabolism. Hyperthyroid creates excitability, irritability, and insomnia. Low levels can lead to depression, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
- Reproductive System - See below
Neurotransmitters Affecting Mood
Excitory Neurotransmitters
- Acetylcholine (ACh) - Involved in muscle activation, memory, and learning. Crucial for maintaining attention and alertness. It is particularly concentrated in the hippocampus and the cortex, areas known for these cognitive processes. In Alzheimer’s disease there is a noted decline in acetylcholine levels.
- Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline) - Neurotransmitter for arousal, alertness, and the fight-or-flight response.
- Epinephrine (Adrenaline) - Hormone released by adrenals in the fight-or-flight response, increasing blood flow to muscles, output of the heart, pupil dilation, and blood sugar.
- Glutamate - The major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It is involved in cognitive functions like learning and memory.
- Histamine - Inhibits sleep and promotes wakefulness. Suppresses appetite. Stimulates gastric acid secretion.
- cAMP - Signaling molecule derived from ATP affects cell function broadly, from ion channels to transcript of genes. Deficiency creates poor mental function and sluggishness.
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
- GABA - Calming hormone (sedative). High levels of this neurotransmitter inhibit nerve excitability. Low levels lead to nerve excitability i.e. insomnia, anxiety, lower stress tolerance.
- Glycine - An inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, particularly in the spinal cord, brainstem, and retina.
- MAO - Mono-amine oxidase is an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft. MAO inhbitors thus improve neurotransmitter concentrations, lifting depression.
Pleasure / Feel Good Neurotransmitters
- Serotonin - Well-being hormone. High levels = Happy, calm, focused & positive outlook. Low levels = depression & anxiety, negative outlook.
- Dopamine - Pleasure hormone - High levels create an experience of pleasure while low levels cause inability to experience pleasure.
- Endorphins - Natural pain relievers produced by the brain. They are involved in the "reward" circuitry of the brain, enhancing pleasure and alleviating pain.
Pain Neurotransmitters
- Substance P is a neuropeptide that transmits pain signals. It also triggers inflammation, vasodilation, and muscle contraction.
Catecholamines are a group of neurotransmitters that include dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline). They are derived from the amino acid tyrosine and play key roles in the body's response to stress and physical exertion.
Adrenal Hormones Affecting Mood
- Cortisol - Stress hormone - High levels create anxiety and stress (Vata)
- Adrenaline - Terror hormone (Vata)
- Vasopressin (ADH) - Defense Hormone - High levels create territorial, defensive, and mating behaviors. Interestingly, this hormone prevents urination, is associated with moisture retention (Kapha).
Effect of Reproductive Hormones on Mood
- Estrogen - Low estrogen causes a decrease in serotonin and GABA, leading to depression and anxiety.
- Progesterone - Higher levels stabilizes GABA receptors, calming nerves. This is why women are sleepier during luteal phase. However, progesterone can also stimulate the amygdala, increase=ing irritability.
- Testosterone - Increases aggression
- Oxytocin - Bonding hormone - High oxytocin creates social bonding but also aggression towards outsides (territorial)
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MIND STRESS SLEEP TIPSDISCLAIMER: The pathogenesis of each person's condition is unique, and so the diet must be fit to the individual and the unique root causes of the condition in your body.
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be used to treat a medical condition. It is not a substitute for medical care.
Please check with your doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness routine.
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It uses body type to determine the likely root causes of your disorders.
Next, Ayurveda analyzes the nature of your disorder.
It fits all your signs and symptoms into a pattern, expressed as a combination of biocharaceristics (gunas).
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