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hormones

·December 15, 2025·4 min read

Exercise Supercharges Hormone Transport to the Brain

Physical exercise triggers extracellular vesicles (EVs)—tiny particles in the blood—to act as temporary transport shuttles for key hormone precursors. During vigorous exercise, levels of the hormone precursor POMC attaching to EVs increase fourfold, suggesting a newly uncovered mechanism for how stress, energy balance, and mood may shift after movement.

This shows the outline of a woman, pills, and "negative memories" flowing from her head.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 29, 2025·5 min read

Hormonal Contraceptives Influence Memory of Emotional Events

A new study reveals that hormonal contraceptives may shape both emotional responses and memory processing in women. Compared with naturally cycling women, users of hormonal birth control had stronger emotional reactions and remembered fewer details of negative events when using regulation strategies like distancing or reinterpretation.

This shows a man and woman. The woman is surrounded by swirls, implying the release of scent. The man's head has a lit up area of the brain.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 28, 2025·6 min read

Women’s Scent During Ovulation Alters Male Stress and Attraction

Certain scent compounds in female body odor, which increase during ovulation, can subtly influence male perception and stress levels. When these compounds were added to model armpit odors, men found the scents more pleasant and rated images of women as more attractive and feminine.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 13, 2025·6 min read

Hormone Cycles Reshape the Brain and Boost Learning

A new study reveals that natural hormone fluctuations during the estrous cycle dramatically alter neuron structure and activity in the mouse hippocampus, a brain region key to learning and memory. Using advanced laser microscopy, researchers observed that high estrogen levels increase dendritic spine density and enhance signal propagation in neurons—both critical for synaptic plasticity.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·February 18, 2025·4 min read

Prenatal Stress Hormones Alter Brain Development

Environmental factors like stress and medication exposure during pregnancy can shape brain development, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Researchers used brain organoids to study the effects of synthetic glucocorticoids, commonly given to prevent complications in premature births.

This shows a pregnant woman and a brain.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 30, 2025·6 min read

Blood Test May Predict Postpartum Depression Through Hormone Levels

Women who develop postpartum depression (PPD) may have distinct neuroactive steroid levels during the third trimester of pregnancy. A study found that those with PPD had lower levels of pregnanolone, which reduces stress, and higher levels of isoallopregnanolone, which increases stress.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 26, 2024·7 min read

Gut Bacteria Gas Linked to Pregnancy Hormone, Mood Regulation, and PPD

Researchers discovered that gut bacteria produce a hormone involved in pregnancy and postpartum depression treatment by modifying steroids in bile. This research highlights the microbiome's role as an endocrine organ influencing human health.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 15, 2024·5 min read

New Hormone Discovery Explains Monogamy

Researchers found that a hormone-producing cell in the adrenal glands may explain why oldfield mice are monogamous while their close relatives are promiscuous. This hormone, 20⍺-OHP, boosts nurturing behavior, suggesting a link to monogamy.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 31, 2023·4 min read

Hormonal Link in Alcohol Withdrawal Headaches

Alcohol use disorder impacts 283 million individuals globally, with limited therapeutic options. Researchers discovered a significant connection between the stress hormone, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and alcohol-withdrawal headaches.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 3, 2023·7 min read

Kisspeptin Hormone Injection Could Treat Low Sex Drive in Women and Men

A shot of the kisspeptin hormone can boost sexual desire in both men and women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 15, 2022·4 min read

How Hormonal Birth Control May Affect the Adolescent Brain

Hormonal contraception disrupts signal transmission between cells in the prefrontal cortex of adolescents. Hormonal birth control also elevates levels of stress hormones in the brain.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 12, 2022·5 min read

Exercise Hormone Halts Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms

Irisin, a hormone secreted into the blood during high endurance and aerobic exercise, reduces levels of alpha-synuclein and restores movement in mouse models of Parkinson's disease.

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hormones

Exercise Supercharges Hormone Transport to the Brain

Hormonal Contraceptives Influence Memory of Emotional Events

Women’s Scent During Ovulation Alters Male Stress and Attraction

Hormone Cycles Reshape the Brain and Boost Learning

Prenatal Stress Hormones Alter Brain Development

Blood Test May Predict Postpartum Depression Through Hormone Levels

Gut Bacteria Gas Linked to Pregnancy Hormone, Mood Regulation, and PPD

New Hormone Discovery Explains Monogamy

Hormonal Link in Alcohol Withdrawal Headaches

Kisspeptin Hormone Injection Could Treat Low Sex Drive in Women and Men

How Hormonal Birth Control May Affect the Adolescent Brain

Exercise Hormone Halts Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms

Hippocampus Predicts Rewards by Reorganizing Memories

Memory Rewritten: Study Finds No Clear Line Between Episodic and Semantic Retrieval

Brain Stimulation Method Can Evaluate Consciousness in Alzheimer’s Disease

Early Intervention Helps Most Autistic Children Acquire Spoken Language

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