Health&Wellness Magazine September 2015 | Page 8

8 & September 2015 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net | Hormones Can Affect Mood Circadian rhythms, depression are influenced by irregularities By Charles Sebastian, Staff Writer Hormones are released by glands in the body. They find their way through the circulatory system to the organs in need. These molecules can change the way we feel at any moment, creating sexual arousal at times and signaling our bodies to diminish libido as we age. The many classifications of hormones involve different chemical combinations, all of which are aimed at regulating the body’s cycles and homeostasis. While hormones do affect many bodily functions, of particular interest are the hormones’ effects on moods. This is not something exclusive to the hormones typically associated with mood swings; it involves the Root Canal Specialist • Compassionate Care • State of the Art Facility • Delta Dental Provider • Accepting Insurances & Care Credit DONALD L. KELLEY, D.D.S., M.S. • www.endocenterlex.com • (859) 685-1068 216 FOUNTAIN COURT • SUITE 140 • LEXINGTON, KY 40509 cumulative effect of many hormones. For instance, there are certain hormones that affect circadian rhythms. These allow humans to remain diurnal creatures, organisms attenuated to the 24-hour cycle matching daylight, nighttime and the rotation of the earth. While hormones affecting these rhythms are not directly responsible for mood swings in the body, when they are out of balance and sleep cycles are off, they can alter moods due to fatigue and lack of proper daylight. Hormones all work in together to make the whole being function properly. Bipolar disorder and depression are the two major mental health issues people face when suffering from extreme hormonal imbalance. These are not the only clinical problems, however. Other diseases affected by irregular hormones include attention deficit hyperactivity d