Hormones and Brain Imaging

Oxytocin
- Often called the “cuddle” hormone, enhancing feelings of warmth and safety.
- Produced in the hypothalamus and released into the bloodstream via the pituitary gland.
- Promotes happiness, trust, and relaxation in the body.
Cortisol
- Referred to as the “stress” hormone.
- Triggers fight or flight responses, keeping the body alert to danger.
- Aids in memory retention and storage.
- Excessive cortisol can lead to high stress, causing weight gain, acne, headaches, brain fog, and more.
Dopamine
- Known as the de-stress and pleasure hormone.
- Released during pleasurable activities such as gambling and shopping, reinforcing the behavior.
Serotonin
- Functions as a neurotransmitter found in the brain, blood, and digestive system.
- Present in nearly every cell in the brain.
- Associated with mood regulation, appetite control, bowel function, and muscle movement.
- Often referred to as the “happy” hormone.
Adrenaline
- Prepares the body for immediate physical response during emergencies (fight/flight/flee).

CT Scans
- Structural imaging technique used to identify diseases or injuries in various body regions.
fMRI Scans
- A specialized type of MRI that detects brain activity by measuring blood flow and oxygen consumption.
- Classified as functional scanners that assess processes rather than structure.
MRI Scans
- A medical imaging procedure that employs a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images inside the body.
PET Scans
- Imaging tests that evaluate cancers, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Focus on functional processes within the body rather than structural detail.

Oxytocin
- Often called the “cuddle” hormone, enhancing feelings of warmth and safety.
- Produced in the hypothalamus and released into the bloodstream via the pituitary gland.
- Promotes happiness, trust, and relaxation in the body.
Cortisol
- Referred to as the “stress” hormone.
- Triggers fight or flight responses, keeping the body alert to danger.
- Aids in memory retention and storage.
- Excessive cortisol can lead to high stress, causing weight gain, acne, headaches, brain fog, and more.
Dopamine
- Known as the de-stress and pleasure hormone.
- Released during pleasurable activities such as gambling and shopping, reinforcing the behavior.
Serotonin
- Functions as a neurotransmitter found in the brain, blood, and digestive system.
- Present in nearly every cell in the brain.
- Associated with mood regulation, appetite control, bowel function, and muscle movement.
- Often referred to as the “happy” hormone.
Adrenaline
- Prepares the body for immediate physical response during emergencies (fight/flight/flee).

CT Scans
- Structural imaging technique used to identify diseases or injuries in various body regions.
fMRI Scans
- A specialized type of MRI that detects brain activity by measuring blood flow and oxygen consumption.
- Classified as functional scanners that assess processes rather than structure.
MRI Scans
- A medical imaging procedure that employs a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images inside the body.
PET Scans
- Imaging tests that evaluate cancers, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Focus on functional processes within the body rather than structural detail.

Oxytocin: known as the "cuddle" hormone, released when feeling safe or cosy, promotes happiness, trust, and relaxation
Cortisol: known as the "stress" hormone, triggers flight or fight reaction, affects memory, and excessive levels can lead to weight gain, acne, and brain fog
Dopamine: known as the de-stress and pleasure hormone, released during activities like gambling and shopping
Serotonin: a neurotransmitter found in the brain, blood, and digestive system, regulates mood, appetite, and bowel movements
Adrenaline: prepares the body for fight, flight, or flee responses

CT scans: structural scanners used to identify disease or injury in various body regions
fMRI scans: functional scanners showing brain activity and function
MRI scans: use magnetic fields and radio waves to take pictures inside the body
PET scans: assess cancers, neurological diseases, and cardiovascular diseases

Frontal lobe: responsible for personality, decision-making, judgment, and speech ability
Parietal lobe: processes senses, interprets pain and touch, and understands spoken language
Temporal lobe: involved in object and facial recognition, short-term memory, and hearing ability
Occipital lobe: processes visual information from the eyes
Hemispheres: left side controls the right side, right side controls the left

Brainstem: links to the spinal cord, responsible for unconscious activities like breathing
Cerebellum: mainly responsible for movement and balance

Cortex: outermost layer of the brain, divided into six areas (prefrontal, premotor, somatosensory, visual, auditory, and motor)
Language areas: Wernicke's area (temporal lobe) and Broca's area (frontal lobe)

Impacts mental health, involved in behavioral and emotional responses
Responsible for survival behaviors like caring for young, reproduction, feeding, and fight or flight responses
Includes the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus

Amygdala: role in emotional responses, emotional memory, and decision-making
Hippocampus: memory center, associates memories with senses, and spatial orientation
Hypothalamus: produces hormones, regulates thirst, hunger, and mood