Skip to main content

Psychoneuroendocrinology Overview

Meaning

Psychoneuroendocrinology is the interdisciplinary field of study dedicated to understanding the complex, reciprocal communication pathways between the central nervous system, the endocrine system, and psychological processes, including mood, behavior, and cognition. This field investigates how hormones influence brain function and behavior, and conversely, how psychological states and neural activity regulate hormone secretion. It provides a crucial framework for understanding stress-related disorders, mood disturbances, and the neurobiological basis of hormonal health. The integrated function of the HPA and HPG axes is a central focus of this science.