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Neuroactive Hormone

Meaning

A neuroactive hormone is a chemical messenger, often a steroid or a peptide, that is produced by an endocrine gland and circulates in the bloodstream but exerts a direct and significant effect on the central or peripheral nervous system. These hormones possess the unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier to modulate neuronal excitability, neurotransmitter release, mood, cognition, and complex behavior. Key examples include certain sex steroids, thyroid hormones, and glucocorticoids, which link the systemic endocrine system directly and profoundly to neurological function and mental well-being.