neurotransmitters/hormones

• acetylcholine triggers muscle contractions and is involved in memory, anger, aggression, and is an excitatory
• dopamine helps control movement; moderates mood, motivation and reward (anticipation), is an inhibitory
• GABA is involved in movement and regulation of anxiety; moderates neuron firing - is inhibitory
• norepinephrine plays a part in stress responses; influences alertness, arousal and reward - is excitatory
• serotonin helps regulate mood, body temperature, sleep and appetite is an inhibitory
• excitatory neurotransmitters increase the likelihood that a neuron will fire an action potential and pass it on to the next neuron
• inhibitory neurotransmitters stop or reduce the transmission of electrical signals across a synapse preventing the over-excitation of neurons
• substance p plays a role in regulation of pain migrane, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety, and is excitatory
• leptin is a hormone that helps regulate body weight by reducing appetite and controlling fat storage.
• adrenaline is a hormone that prepares the body for danger or escape by triggering a series of changes in the heart lungs and brain (also known as epinephrine)
• caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant
• melatonin is a hormone that is produced in the pineal gland and is involved in the sleep-wake cycle
• oxytocin promotes positive feelings and plays a role in human behaviors such as romantic attachment, sexual arousal, and trust (”The love hormone”)
• ghrelin is released to tell your brain its hungry but also can release growth hormones, release insulin, and protect cardiovascular health (“hunger hormone”)