Differences between hormones and neurotransmitters

To function properly, the body needs hormones and neurotransmitters.. Hormones are secreted by the endocrine glands and are involved in the regulation of different functions in the body. For their part, neurotransmitters allow communication between neurons, crossing the synaptic space.

These chemicals carry signals from one part of the body to another. Both chemicals are important for the physiological stability of the body. They control a wide variety of physical and psychological functions, including our mood, our eating patterns, our ability to learn, and our sleep cycles.

What are neurotransmitters?

Neurotransmitters are endogenous chemicals that mediate communication between neurons. throughout the entire central and peripheral nervous system. These allow the brain to perform a variety of functions through the process of chemical synaptic transmission (Sheffler et al., 2021). Furthermore, these substances are an important part of our lives and our daily functions and activities.

Thus, the neurotransmitters They are necessary to boost and balance signals in the brain and to keep it functioning. They help manage automatic responses such as breathing and heart rate. They also have psychological functions such as learning, mood management, fear, pleasure and happiness (Guy-Evans, 2021).

What are hormones?

They are chemical substances secreted by a cell or group of them, in order to exert physiological effects on other cells. of the organism. Hormones can act locally or remotely, spreading to all tissues of the body and acting on those cells that have specific receptors for them.

Hormones are involved in the regulation of growth and development. They are capable of influencing the cytoarchitecture and structure of the brain permanently during development, from the fetal period to the end of adolescence (Wong and Álvarez, 2013). They also participate in the emergence of a wide range of behaviors, moods and organic processes.

The main differences between hormones and neurotransmitters

Next, we will review several differences between hormones and neurotransmitters.

1. Stimulation

Hormones are capable of stimulating and regulating organs and tissues, while neurotransmitters only stimulate postsynaptic neurons. This means that hormones can influence different parts of the body, while neurotransmitters cannot. The latter can only act on the cells of the nervous system.

2. Production system

Hormones are produced by the endocrine system while neurotransmitters are produced by the nervous system. The adrenal glands, kidneys, thyroid and other glands are responsible for secreting hormones, while the terminal buttons of neurons are responsible for producing and releasing neurotransmitters.

3. Transmission mode

Hormones are transmitted through the circulatory system, while neurotransmitters transmit signals through synaptic clefts.. This mode of transmission allows hormones to travel long distances.

4. Range of action

Hormones have long reach. This means that the target organs of the hormones are usually at a certain distance from the gland that secretes them.

Instead, Neurotransmitters have a very limited range of action.. Molecules that act as neurotransmitters only affect cells that connect through synaptic junctions.

5. Transmission speed

An important difference between hormones and neurotransmitters is the rate of transmission. Since hormones work to reach distant cells or tissues, signal transmission is much slower. Instead, The transmission of the neurotransmitter signal that sends messages between neurons is faster.

6. Affected tissues

The range of tissues that neurotransmitters affect is much smaller than that of hormones. Hormonal function tends to take place in different target organs. Hormones usually produce coordinated responses from several organs or tissues, as in the case of adrenaline, which affects muscles, connective tissue, and liver.

7. Living beings in which they are present

An interesting difference between hormones and neurotransmitters is that Hormones are produced in many other living things, such as plants. While neurotransmitters are molecules unique to animals.

8. Examples

The main hormones are the following (Walters, 2020):

Androgens: cause male sexual characteristics. They are important in sexual drive in both sexes and are linked to social aggression and dominance.Estrogens: They cause the development of female secondary sexual characteristics at puberty. They regulate female fertility linked to learning and memory in both sexes.Endorphins: reduces pain and induces pleasure. They are released when you are under stress. Its effects are similar to natural opiates such as morphine.Melatonin: It promotes sleep and helps regulate the circadian rhythm.

Among the neurotransmitters we can find the following (Walters, 2020):

Acetylcholine: It stimulates muscle contractions and is used in the brain to regulate memory, sleep and dreaming.Dopamine: involved in movement, motivation and emotion. It produces feelings of pleasure when released by the brain’s reward system. They also participate in learning.Endorphin: released in response to behaviors such as vigorous exercise, orgasm, and eating spicy foods.Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA): It is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, reduces arousal and is involved in sleep.Glutamate: It is the most common neurotransmitter. It is excitatory and is released at more than 90% of the synapses in the brain.Serotonin: It is involved in many functions, including mood, appetite, sleep, and aggression.

In conclusion, hormones and neurotransmitters are important substances for our body. Their differences mean that their functions complement each other, in order to maintain a balance in the body and thus allow us to respond sooner to the different situations that life presents to us.

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