Science Common Sense

1025 - What is the difference between a hormone and a neurotransmitter?

Hormones and neurotransmitters are like messengers in your body. They help your body parts talk to each other.

The big difference is where they work.

• Hormones are like messengers that travel through your bloodstream to reach other parts of your body. They help control things like growth, hunger, and sleep.

• Neurotransmitters are like messengers that work just in your brain and nervous system. They help control things like your mood, movement, and feelings.

For example, insulin is a hormone that helps control your blood sugar levels by sending messages to your cells through your bloodstream. But serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps control your mood and feelings by sending messages between brain cells.