Endogenous chemical messengers, primarily neurosteroids and adrenal hormones, that exert a direct, regulatory influence on emotional balance, affective state, and psychological resilience. Important hormones in this category include progesterone, its metabolite allopregnanolone, and the thyroid hormones, which interact intimately with key neurotransmitter systems like GABA and serotonin. Fluctuations in these levels are often implicated in clinical presentations of anxiety, depression, and mood instability.
Origin
A clinical grouping within psychoendocrinology, recognizing the significant and inseparable interplay between the peripheral endocrine system and the central limbic system of the brain. This integrated perspective informs the modern hormonal approach to managing complex mental health conditions.
Mechanism
These hormones readily cross the blood-brain barrier to interact with neuronal receptors, such as the GABA-A receptor, exerting a profound anxiolytic or calming effect on the central nervous system. Thyroid hormones, in particular, regulate the synthesis and sensitivity of various adrenergic and serotonergic receptors, which are essential for maintaining stable mood, energy levels, and psychological equilibrium.
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