Hormones and Emotions

Contents1. What is the hormone?2. Biological Functions of the

hormone3. How does the hormone affect our

emotions?4. What are the adverse effects when

it is in excess?5. Suggestions to keep it functioning

well

Love

3 stages of love3 stages of love1.1.lustlust

~relax body and induce pleasure2.2. AttractionAttraction

~lose ability to think rationally ~neuro-transmitters - 'monoamines' like dopamine, norepinephrine (increase heart beats) and serotonin

3.3. Attachment Attachment ~love for duration ~calm, security, social comfort, emotional union ~allows parents to co-operate in raising children~ hormones: oxytocin, vasopressin,endorphins

role of hormones in role of hormones in lovelove

Attraction stageAttraction stagea.a.DopamineDopamine• "pleasure chemical"b.b. Norepinephrine Norepinephrine • racing heart and excitement• cause intense energy, sleeplessness,

craving, loss of appetite and focused attention

c. lower levels of serotoninc. lower levels of serotonin• love "obsess“

long-term commitment stagelong-term commitment stagea.Vasopressin • important controller of kidneyb.Endorphin • produces a general sense of smooth, peace

and secure

What is the hormone?What is the hormone?

• Oxytocin• Made in pituitary gland

Biological Functions Biological Functions of oxyrocinof oxyrocin

1. Mediating emotional experiences in close relationships.

2. Stimulating milk ejection 3. Stimulating uterine contraction

during birth 4. Facilitating the emotional bond

between mother and child

How does oxytocin affecHow does oxytocin affect our emotions?t our emotions?

• Pick out the salient features used to identify individuals

• A relatively small area of the human brain is active in love

• Neural mechanisms that are activated during the process of addiction

What are the adverse What are the adverse effects when it is in effects when it is in

excess?excess?

• Development of autistic spectrum disorders

• Related syndromes by proposed down regulation of the OT receptor

SuggestionsSuggestions

• Read books• Have an all-rounded social relationship

StressStress

What is the hormone?What is the hormone?

• Cortisol • secreted by the adrenal glands

Biological Functions Biological Functions of cortisolof cortisol

1. Proper glucose metabolism 2. Regulation of blood pressure 3. Insulin release for blood sugar

maintenance 4. Immune function 5. Inflammatory response

How does cortisol How does cortisol affect our emotions?affect our emotions?

• A stress hormone• Connection with abnormal

ACTH levels, clinical depression, psychological stress

• Normal feedback system may break down when animals are exposed to chronic stress.

What are the adverse What are the adverse effects when it is in effects when it is in

excess?excess?1. Impaired cognitive

performance 2. Decreased bone density 3. Higher blood pressure4. Lowered immunity and

inflammatory responses in the body

SuggestionsSuggestions

• Journaling• Exercise• Listening to music• Yoga• Self-hypnosis • Meditation

Happy

What is the hormone?

• 20 hormones bring about the feeling of happiness

• The most effective hormone claimed is endorphinsendorphins.

• Produced in pituitary gland, enkephalins and dynorphin

Biological Functions of endorphins

1. Relieving anxiety and tension 2. Facilitating muscle contractions 3. Strengthening bone tissues 4. Modulating appetite and the release

of sex hormones 5. Reducing the sense of pain 6. Curing diseases like cancer and depre

ssion

• When norepinephrine may be released, the person will be stressed out or feel angry

How do endorphins affect our emotions?

• Endorphins are released • It interacts with opiate receptor

neurons to improve the one’s emotion

The person becomes happy

Any adverse effects?

NO!

How to increase the release of endorphins?

• Doing exercise• Eating chocolate • Reducing pressure

ReferencesReferencesWebsites:• http://en.wikipedia.org/• http://www.sensualism.com/love/index.html • http://www.oxytocin.org/oxytoc/love-science.html

Printed:• Freeman, Scott (2002). Biological Science. Prentice

Hall; 2nd Pkg edition (December 30, 2004). ISBN 0132187469.

• A. C. Guyton, J. E. Hall. Textbook of Medical Physiology. W.B. Saunders Company; 10th edition (August 15, 2000). ISBN 072168677X.

Group MembersGroup Members

6C • Lam Chi Kin (5)• Lau Kin Fung (6)• Cheng Hoi Yan (14)• Lee Wai Chun (21)• Leung Hiu Kiu (22)• Lui Yi Shan (23)