Hormones play a crucial role in how the body functions, but they can also have a strong—sometimes negative—impact on mood and mental health. Although we like to think that our emotions are under control, scientists have discovered that, in addition to neurotransmitters, hormones can also have a powerful influence on how we feel and think. Today, some researchers are trying to use this knowledge to develop new treatments for depression and anxiety.
Hormones are “chemical messengers” that are released from glands and travel through the bloodstream to bind to specific receptors in the body, activating biological processes. To date, science has identified over 50 hormones that regulate hundreds of bodily functions, including development, sleep, sexual function, and mental well-being.
According to psychology professor Nafissa Ismail from the University of Ottawa, "hormones significantly influence our mood and emotions by influencing neurotransmitters, but also by promoting or inhibiting the birth of new neurons in the brain."
This is why mental disorders like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more common during periods of hormonal changes—especially in women. During adolescence, women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men, a difference that persists throughout life.
The drop in estrogen and progesterone levels before your menstrual cycle is often accompanied by irritability, fatigue, and sadness. In more severe cases, some women experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder ( PMDD) – a severe form of hormonal depression that recurs every month.
In contrast, high levels of estrogen before ovulation are associated with feelings of happiness and well-being. Another hormone, allopregnanolone , which is derived from progesterone, has a calming effect – it is even used as a treatment for postpartum depression in the form of the drug Brexanolone.
While hormonal changes are more noticeable in women, men also experience a gradual decline in testosterone over the years, which can affect mood and energy.
Estrogen, according to studies, helps increase sensitivity to serotonin and dopamine — two key chemicals that affect happiness and motivation. It also protects nerve cells and promotes the birth of new neurons in the hippocampus — the part of the brain that controls memory and emotions. This explains why many women report clouding of thinking and memory problems during menopause.
Another key system is the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, which controls the stress response. Under stress, the body releases cortisol, the stress hormone. In the short term, this is helpful, but chronic stress damages the brain, killing neurons and causing difficulties with memory, concentration, and emotional control.
On the other hand, oxytocin – known as the “love hormone” – promotes feelings of closeness and security. It is released during childbirth, breastfeeding and intimate relationships, and helps reduce stress levels.
Another example is the thyroid, a gland in the neck that produces the hormones T3 and T4. When their levels are too high, anxiety sets in; when they are too low, depression sets in. Adjusting these hormones is usually enough to immediately improve mood.
According to Ismail, “when patients complain of sudden mood swings, doctors often check the hormonal profile – because balancing hormones can restore emotional equilibrium.”
Scientists hope this deeper understanding of hormonal influence will help create new treatments for depression, anxiety and emotional disorders - using the power of hormones to restore mental peace./BBC
