If you have taken biology, psychology, or any type of science class, then you most definitely have heard or learned about hormones and neurotransmitters. Both hormones and neurotransmitters are essential for our bodily functions but there is something I have noticed about these two terms. From my own experience, I can say that I used to get confused between these two when I heard words like adrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, melatonin, etc. I know the same can go for many other people as well. Getting confused between what classifies as hormones or neurotransmitters can be common as the endocrine and nervous system are both the controlling systems of our bodies. Nevertheless, thoroughly understanding the differences in functions of hormones and neurotransmitters can help to remove this confusion!
Let's start broad. First, we'll look into the differences of the endocrine system which produces hormones and the nervous system which produces neurotransmitters.
Endocrine System | Nervous System |
 |  |
Definition: a network of glands that secrete chemical messages known as hormones, which have an effect on various target cells throughout the human body. | Definition: the brain, spinal cord, and several nerve cells and fibers send signals throughout the body in the form of a nerve impulse known as an action potential, which has an effect on a target cell. |
Chemical signal: hormones | Chemical signal: neurotransmitters |
Organs involved: glands found throughout the body-pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries, testes | Organs involved: brain and spinal cord |
Cell type: epithelial cells | Cell type: nerve cells-neurons, Schwann cells, gill cells |
Transmission: by blood vessels | Transmission: by neurons |
Effect duration: slow, long-term | Effect duration: rapid, short-term |
As shown, our endocrine and nervous systems play a crucial role in our behavior and health. Looking in deeper we are able to see how the chemical signals, hormones and neurotransmitters are different in their transmissions and effect durations.
Now that you understand the differences lets look at some examples:
Hormones
Melatonin- regulates sleep cycle
Cortisol- primary stress hormone, activates fight or flight response
Prolactin- regulates milk production in females
Growth hormone- mainly effects growth and development
Neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine- most common, activates muscle action, involved in learning and memory
Dopamine- feelings of pleasure, addiction, and motivation
Serotonin- involved in happiness and well-being, mood booster, improve sleep cycles
Glutamate- involved in learning and memory
After reading this I hope you were able to gain a better understanding on the difference between hormones and neurotransmitters. From my own experience, I know it can first be confusing when you hear these terms simultaneously. That is why it is essential to learn the different characteristics of these too so you really know what's going on inside your body! Next time, if you ever see someone getting confused between hormones and neurotransmitters, you can help them!
References
Difference between endocrine and nervous system. (n.d). DifferenceBetween.net. http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/difference-between-endocrine-system-and-nervous-system/
Guy-Evans, Olivia. (2021, April 20). Neurotransmitters: Types, function, and examples. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/neurotransmitter.html
John Hopkins Medicine. (n.d). Hormones and the endocrine system. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hormones-and-the-endocrine-system
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