Hormones' Effect on Behavior

There are many hormones that can influence behavior, the most significant being the gonadal, placental. thyroid, and adrenal hormones (Depression, 2003; The Endocrine, 2005). The gonads and placenta produce a number of hormones. Androgens such as testosterone influence the development and maintenance of the male reproductive tract, secondary sex characteristics, and behavior. In the female, estrogens such as estradiol function in the development and maintenance of the reproductive tract, stimulation of the mammary glands, development of secondary sex characteristics, and the regulation of behavior.

A lot of research has been carried out on the effects of hormones on behavior and it has been determined that even normal fluctuations in hormone levels affects behavior (The Endocri

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ves causing the pain of headache. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is another mood disorder caused by a hormonal imbalance (The Endocrine, 2005). Symptoms of this disorder usually begin in the fall as the daylight hours begin to shorten, and the problem lasts until the springtime, when the days get longer once more. Symptoms of SAD include depression, tiredness, increased appetite, and irritability. The order is directly related to melatonin levels. Melatonin is a hormone released by the pineal gland, located in the center of the brain. The hormone can accumulate in the hypothalamus where it can affect the long-term releasing factors influencing growth and reproductive development, and the circannual rhythm (seasonal timing). Very little melatonin is secreted during the daytime but a greater amount is secreted at night. Because the winter months have longer nights, more melatonin is produced and so the level of melatonin in the body increases. The production of melatonin affects overall mood and causes SAD. There is little evidence on the exact mechanism by which this happens or why, but there are many ways to cure the problem, e.g. with artificial lighting. Also, it has been shown that changes in melatonin levels in
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Some common words found in the essay are:
, Symptoms SAD, Dr Dalton, United Britain, Affective Disorder, Katharina Dalton, Psychiatric Association, Andrea Yates, Retrieved Feb, World Health, menstrual cycle, feb 24 2005, feb 24, 24 2005, mood changes, retrieved feb, thyroid hormone, endocrine 2005, retrieved feb 24, thyroid hormones, women pms, 1993 75, dopamine adrenaline noradrenaline, lower testosterone levels, bloating weight gain,
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Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)