Types of Hormones Human Brain Releases
                     Sparkonit
At Sparkonit.com blog, we try to cover science related 
topics and help our readers gain knowledge about different 
things going on in the world. For more information explore 
sparkonit blog and get more knowledge about different 
science topics. 
Types of Hormones Human Brain Releases
The human body is a complex mechanism with millions or even billions of 
processes happening simultaneously to keep us alive and healthy. While all 
of our body functions in order to do so, it is the brain that regulates it all, 
brain controls each and every aspect of our existence from our physical 
movement to emotions with the help of hormones. It truly is astonishing 
how much we don’t realize the functionality of our brain, yet it occurs 
precisely and seamlessly.
What are Hormones?
As you might be familiar with the fact that our brain communicates 
with the rest of our body via chemical and electrical signals. 
Hormones can be 

considered as chemical messengers that are released directly into the 
bloodstream which then carries them to organs and tissues of the 
body for it to function accordingly. Hormones are responsible for our 
growth, development, metabolism, reproduction, emotions, and 
regulation of body temperature. As you can imagine these are 
essential for our survival, there are about eight endocrine glands (that 
are present without any ducts to release hormones directly into the 
bloodstream) in our body that releases about 200 hormones.
Types of Hormones in the Human Brain
While there are eight glands throughout our body that secret 
hormones, only three of them are present in the brain that releases 
crucial hormones that are responsible for our health and the 
regulations of other glands. 
While there are many types of hormones the two types that are released 
by the brain are either amino-acid derived or peptide hormones.
Amino acid-derived hormones: These are relatively small molecules are comprised 
of amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan. Their chemical name will likely end with -ine, 
while the thyroid gland produces these largely it is also produced by the pineal gland.
Peptide hormones: While these are also a form of amino acids, they are derived 
from polypeptide chains which is a form of an amino acid chain. These include both 
short and large hormones released by the pituitary gland.
Hormones released by the 
Brain
As mentioned previously three main glands secrete hormones in the brain 
and these are Hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and pineal gland.
Hypothalamus hormones
While the hypothalamus in itself does not produce any hormones, it is 
considered as one of the glands when it comes to hormonal release, 
why?  Because it controls two main functions, homeostasis, and 
hormones. While the former is responsible for balance and stability in 
a biological system, the latter controls the release of hormones. 
Though the pituitary gland is responsible for the secretion of 
hormones it wouldn’t be able to do it without the hypothalamus, as it 
synthesizes some hormones then returns them to the pituitary gland 
for their release in the bloodstream so, in a way, we can say that it 
releases hormones.
Pituitary Gland
Also known as one of the master glands as it is responsible for releasing many vital 
hormones and it also regulates other hormone-regulating glands within the body. It 
consists of two lobes; Anterior pituitary and posterior pituitary. While most of the 
hormones are released and synthesized by the anterior pituitary, two hormones are 
secreted by the posterior pituitary and are synthesized by the hypothalamus.
● Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH): This hormone targets 
the adrenal gland, specifically its cortex and regulates the 
production and release of cortisol. Cortisol is the body’s stress 
hormone and is triggered in stressful or fearful situations, and 
cortisol also switches off basic functions like digestion and growth 
during these times to ensure survival by making one highly alert.
● Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): As the name may suggest, 
this targets the thyroid, while it releases many hormones it is most 
known for the release of thyroxine also known as T4. This regulates 
metabolism and growth in an individual.
● Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle-stimulating hormone 
(FSH): Both are responsible for reproductive functions, the former 
targets the ovaries and commands them to release estrogen and 
progesterone. The latter controls the menstrual cycle and also triggers 
the release of eggs. While in men it targets testicles to release 
testosterone and sperm.
● Prolactin (PRL): While this hormone is present in both males and 
females, its impacts can only be seen in females. It targets and 
stimulates the breasts to produce milk, it is secreted in large amounts 
during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
● Growth hormone (GH): This is one of the essential hormones in the 
early stages of life as it targets basically the entire body and is responsible 
for growth and development along with repair of the body.
● Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH): This hormone is one of the 
least studied and is not fully known. But it is linked with providing 
protection against UV rays and control of appetite.
● Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH): This solely focuses on the kidneys and 
controls the fluids and mineral levels within the body. As kidneys affect the 
water retention in the body and it also helps in blood pressure as well.
● Oxytocin: This hormone works around the uterus mainly but also has 
some effects on the breasts as well. It induces labor, strengthens the 
uterine contractions, or controlling bleeding after childbirth, and also 
subsequently triggers the release of milk of breast milk
Pineal Gland
The pineal gland releases only one hormone, however, it is an essential one. It 
is a small cone-shaped structure that is located in the middle of two cerebral 
hemispheres and is about 6mm in size.
●Melatonin: Melatonin is released by the pineal gland in response to 
darkness and it helps with the circadian rhythms, the internal 24-hour clocks 
of our bodies. As you can imagine it is related to darkness, it triggers sleep 
as well and according to researches, it helps the body even in sleep.
These are the hormones that the brain produces. It is quite fascinating 
to think in how much detail our brain controls and regulates our 
physiology. Our bodies truly are a complex yet mesmerizing 
mechanism.