Neurotransmitters and Hormones

If I ask you “How do you feel”? you will probably answer “I feel fine” but seriously, how fine  do you really feel.

Are you energetic, have a steady mood, clear head, stamina and focus, wake up every morning feeling refreshed and ready to start the day?

Or do you have mood swings, depression, low energy and sex drive, can’t sleep at night and can’t wake up during the day, are stressed, feel tired but wired?

Are you in control of your cravings and your weight?

Or do you crave carbs, sugar or salt and putting on more and more belly fat?

So how do you really feel? If you are like most of Americans you feel lousy, and you are not alone. In fact this is how most Americans feel because we are living out of harmony with our bodies natural “biological rhythms”. The human body is largely run by “biological rhythms.” All organs, systems and cells are controlled by exact, cyclic patterns of rest and activity.

For example: The stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol are naturally released into the bloodstream during the early morning hours to promote physical activity. The liver is more active during the night. Most digestive enzymes are secreted during the day. Brain hormone serotonin is produced in response to natural daylight. The sleep-inducing hormone melatonin is secreted in response to the darkness of night

Two kinds of small molecules,Hormones (messenger molecules of our endocrine systems) and Neurotransmitters (messenger molecules of our brains and nervous systems) are responsible for keeping our  “biological rhythms” in balance.

Both hormones and neurotransmitters are involved in almost every function of the body, and both are critically important for our health and well being. If ether one of the systems get out of balance your health will spiral down leaving you tired, depressed, and overweight!

First let me explain how dose two systems work and why so many of us feel miserable.

The command center for our endocrine system (hormones) is in our brain – the hypothalamus and pituitary glands send signals to distant parts of the body to control everything from stress response through our adrenal glands to blood sugar balance through our pancreas to thyroid hormone through our thyroid gland to sexual behavior and function through our reproductive organs. They also control growth, sleep, mood and much more.

The nervous system (neurotransmitters) send messages throughout the body to every cell, organ and tissue helping you do everything from move your arm to feel happy or sad. Neurotransmitters are responsible for providing energy, motivation, focus as well as calming the mind and body, slowing down the system, and inducing sleep.

As you know by now nervous system (neurotransmitters) and endocrine system (hormones) are very important systems, that regulate the various activities of the body, and are dependent on the release of special chemicals either as neurotransmitters or hormones. There are some similarities between hormones and neurotransmitters. For instance certain neurotransmitters and hormones are amino acid derivatives, some hormones, as well as the neurotransmitters, are produced by the tissues in the Central Nervous System and some act as both hormones and neurotransmitters.

For example, norepinephrine is released into the blood by the adrenal glands as a hormone, but it is also released as a neurotransmitter by sympathetic nerve endings. Dopamine is neurotransmitter but also a hormone.

While there are similarities between hormones and neurotransmitters, there are some obvious differences. The major difference is that neurotransmitters are specific to nerve tissue, and travel from one neuron to the next. Hormones target cells that are typically farther away in the body, and therefore must be released into the bloodstream and circulate through the whole body to reach its target.

Seeing the intertwined nature of hormones and neurotransmitters you understand that bought have to be optimize and work in harmony for you to enjoy.

So, if you are looking for solution to your health problems addressing just hormones is only a half solution. Hormones and neurotransmitters work together in synergy and should be address and balanced as such.

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