The brain does not communicate through words, but through electrical impulses and chemical substances. We call these chemical substances neurotransmitters—they act as “messengers” that carry signals between nerve cells (neurons). They enable the brain to regulate emotions, thinking, movement, sleep, the stress response, and even whether we feel motivated and engaged with life.
When neurotransmitters function in balance, we generally feel more stable, resilient, and internally resourced. When certain systems become dysregulated over the long term, this may manifest as anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep problems, burnout, or the development of an addiction.
There is a tiny space between nerve cells called a synapse. When one cell wants to transmit information to another, it releases a neurotransmitter into the synapse. The neurotransmitter binds to receptors on the next cell and influences whether its activity increases or, conversely, is inhibited.
Different neurotransmitters have different roles:
For our mental health, it is essential that these systems work together—much like an orchestra in which each instrument plays different notes, but the whole ensemble must remain in tune.
Dopamine is one of the most extensively studied neurotransmitters. It is often simplistically referred to as the “happiness hormone.” The reality is more complex—it is more accurate to say that dopamine is associated with reward, motivation, and learning.
Dopamine is typically released when:
This is how we learn what is “worth repeating.” The brain stores the message: “That was pleasurable; I want to return to it.” This is a healthy part of how motivation, learning, work engagement, and relationships function.
In addictions—both substance-related and behavioral—the reward system changes over the long term. An addictive substance or behavior, such as gambling, repeatedly and often very strongly stimulates the dopamine system. The brain gradually becomes “reprogrammed”: the craving for the substance or activity begins to outweigh reason and consideration of long-term consequences.
Over time:
Addiction is therefore the result of a long-term neurobiological change, not merely a matter of “weak willpower.” Current research understands addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disorder that also has psychological and social dimensions.
Serotonin contributes to:
When the serotonergic system is not functioning optimally, a person may experience:
Some modern antidepressants, such as SSRIs, work by modifying the availability of serotonin in the brain. They increase serotonin availability in the synapses, which may help alleviate depressive and anxiety symptoms in some patients. This does not mean, however, that “low serotonin” is the sole cause of depression—it is one piece of a complex mosaic of biological, psychological, and social factors.
In the case of these difficulties, it is therefore important to emphasize that:
Noradrenaline is both a neurotransmitter and a stress mediator. It activates the body in situations that require performance or a rapid response—typically during strain, danger, examinations, work-related stress, or other demanding circumstances.
It helps to:
During short-term stress, it helps us perform—to get through an exam, presentation, demanding shift, or crisis situation. However, if the noradrenergic system remains overstimulated for a long time—for example, due to chronic stress, overload, or a constant “online” mode—we may feel as though we “never fully switch off.” We become tense, exhausted, irritable, have difficulty falling asleep, and the body remains in a constant state of alertness.
This is also why, in practice, it makes sense not only to treat symptoms but also to adjust one’s lifestyle, daily rhythm, rest, and relationship to stress—just as we adjust the intensity of individual instruments in an orchestra.
GABA and glutamate operate somewhat behind the scenes, but together they form a fundamental pair that maintains the balance between activation and inhibition in the nervous system.
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain. It helps slow down excessively rapid or intense neuronal activity, supports calmness, concentration, and falling asleep, and reduces inner tension.
When the “brake” is insufficient, the brain may run at excessively high speed. A person may feel tense, overwhelmed, and internally restless. Imbalances in the GABA system have been associated with anxiety disorders and several other psychological difficulties.
Some anti-anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines, work by enhancing the effects of GABA. This is why they need to be used very carefully, for a limited time, and under professional supervision—especially in people with a predisposition to addiction.
Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter. It plays a crucial role in learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity—the changes in connections between neurons that allow the brain to adapt and change based on experience. Glutamate helps the brain respond, adapt, and remember.
However, when the “accelerator” is too strong or remains unregulated for a long time, it can overload the nervous system and contribute to cellular damage.
This is why the balance between GABA and glutamate is so important for mental health. Research suggests that disruptions in the balance between glutamate and GABA may contribute to depressive disorders and other mental health conditions.
Imbalances in neurotransmitter systems do not manifest as “laboratory values” alone, but directly in our experience:
It is important to add that the same symptoms do not necessarily have the same biological cause in every person. Our biology interacts with life experiences, trauma, behavioral patterns, current circumstances, and the support system available to us.
Current neuroscience shows that:
Just as the brain does not depend on one dominant neurotransmitter but on a complex interplay of dopamine, serotonin, GABA, glutamate, and other substances, mental health care does not have one simple solution.
Long-term change usually requires a combination of:
Just as the brain cannot be healed with “one substance,” a person generally cannot recover through one quick step. It is meaningful to carefully seek a combination of approaches that respects both neurobiology and each person’s unique life story.
Seeking professional support may be appropriate if:
You do not need to know exactly “which neurotransmitter” is out of balance. What matters is recognizing that something is happening—and allowing yourself to talk about it.
At EUNOMA Clinic, we connect current neuroscience findings with psychotherapy, addiction care, nutritional therapy, and lifestyle support. We work with a comprehensive view of the person—their brain, body, relationships, and life story.
If you feel that your inner balance is not working as well as it could, you can contact us. Together, we will explore what your nervous system needs—with professional expertise, respect, and a human approach.
I have been working in the field of addiction counselling for more than 10 years. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Addictology from the First Faculty of Medicine and a degree in General Medicine from the Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University. In my research, I focus on preventive medicine and epidemiology.
In my work with clients, I combine evidence-based knowledge with a holistic approach to mental health. My medical background enables me to understand the broader clinical context and to better support each client’s individual needs.
