--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Neurotransmitters are chemical-like…" description: "\"“Neurotransmitters are chemical-like substances that travel between nerve cells across a synapse and determine whether a nerve signal keeps going or ha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/728/richard-guare-33964_circadian-rhythm_neurotransmitters-are-chemical-like-subs_3199839.jpg" --- # Neurotransmitters are chemical-like substances that travel… ![“Neurotransmitters are chemical-like substances that travel between nerve cells across a synapse and determine whether a nerve signal keeps going or halts. Levels of two of these neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, decrease during adolescence. The decrease in dopamine results in mood changes…” quote by Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/728/richard-guare-33964_circadian-rhythm_neurotransmitters-are-chemical-like-subs_3199839.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/728/richard-guare-33964_circadian-rhythm_neurotransmitters-are-chemical-like-subs_3199839.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/728/richard-guare-33964_circadian-rhythm_neurotransmitters-are-chemical-like-subs_3199839.jpg) > ““Neurotransmitters are chemical-like substances that travel between nerve cells across a synapse and determine whether a nerve signal keeps going or halts. Levels of two of these neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, decrease during adolescence. The decrease in dopamine results in mood changes and problems with emotional control. The decrease in serotonin results in decreased impulse control. A third neurotransmitter, melatonin, increases in adolescence. Melatonin is responsible for circadian rhythms and the sleep–wake cycle. Its increase results in a need for greater sleep.”” [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Adolescence brings hormonal shifts that affect mood, impulse control, and sleep, influencing behavior and decision‑making. **In simple terms:** Teen brain changes affect emotions and sleep. Key Takeaway Recognize hormonal impacts on teen behavior. Themes development biology adolescence neuroscience Mood empathetic informative Type educational practical When to use this quote - parenting - education - mental health counseling - sleep hygiene programs Key Concepts neurochemistry psychology developmental science Questions to Reflect On - How can adults support teens navigating these neurochemical changes? - What strategies help teens manage mood swings and impulse control? A Different Perspective Hormonal changes are only one factor; social and environmental influences also play major roles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Circadian rhythm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circadian-rhythm/) [Control Neurotransmitter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control-neurotransmitter-5936588/) [Emotional control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional-control/) [Impulse control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impulse-control/) [Levels Neurotransmitters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/levels-neurotransmitters-5936589/) [Mood Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mood-change/) [Neurotransmitter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neurotransmitter-3752073/) [Neurotransmitter Melatonin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neurotransmitter-melatonin-5936587/) [Neurotransmitters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neurotransmitters-130377/) ## Related quotes > [“Oxytocin is an ancient neurotransmitter chemical. Animal lineages much older than the mammals—amphibians, reptiles, worms, even the egg-dumping fish—all sport some version of it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-holmes/oxytocin-is-an-ancient-neurotransmitter-chemical-animal-lineages-much/) [Hannah Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-holmes/) > [“Two Dimensions of Executive Skills: Thinking and Doing Executive skills involving thinking (cognition) Working memory Planning/prioritization Organization Time management Metacognition Executive skills involving doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/two-dimensions-of-executive-skills-thinking-and-doing-executive/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) > [Our ability to study the brain has been limited because of our tools and our tools have only allowed us to look at one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-hart/our-ability-to-study-the-brain-has-been-limited-because-of-our-tools/) [Carl Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-hart/) > [Brain wave tests prove that when we use positive words, our "feel good" hormones flow. Positive self-talk releases endorphins and serotonin in our brain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-fishel/brain-wave-tests-prove-that-when-we-use-positive-words-our-feel-good/) [Ruth Fishel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-fishel/) > [“neurotransmitters, a paramecium”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/neurotransmitters-a-paramecium/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [Dopamine makes up less than one percent of the brain's neurotransmitters. It's a small portion. Dopamine is released when people are happy, angry, stressed.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-hart/dopamine-makes-up-less-than-one-percent-of-the-brain-s/) [Carl Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-hart/) > [The human brain cannot release enough neurotransmitters to feel emotion a thousand times as strong as the grief of one funeral. A prospective risk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliezer-yudkowsky/the-human-brain-cannot-release-enough-neurotransmitters-to-feel/) [Eliezer Yudkowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliezer-yudkowsky/) > [There is evidence that acupuncture influences the production of and distribution of a great many neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, and that this in turn alters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-eisenberg/there-is-evidence-that-acupuncture-influences-the-production-of-and/) [David Eisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-eisenberg/) > [Emotional control is essential for attaining higher levels of mind. The thing that the teacher looks for in a student is the degree of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/emotional-control-is-essential-for-attaining-higher-levels-of-mind/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Anyone can visit the Astral plane by the mechanism of Astral projection. As a citizen of the universe, you have the absolute right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-c-vetsch/anyone-can-visit-the-astral-plane-by-the-mechanism-of-astral/) [W. C. Vetsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-c-vetsch/) > [There are a lot of parallels between the historical Henry VIII and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. There's an oscillation and extremity of emotion throughout his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-dormer/there-are-a-lot-of-parallels-between-the-historical-henry-viii-and/) [Natalie Dormer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-dormer/) > [“Not enough people realize that ADHD is not a disorder about loss of focus. It is a disorder of loss of emotional control, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/not-enough-people-realize-that-adhd-is-not-a-disorder-about-loss-of/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“I am constantly approached by people who are willing to go to any extreme for personal safety...except practicing basic emotional control.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-macyoung/i-am-constantly-approached-by-people-who-are-willing-to-go-to-any/) [Marc MacYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-macyoung/) > [“THE SEVEN TRAITS OF ELITE CAPTAINS 1. Extreme doggedness and focus in competition. 2. Aggressive play that tests the limits of the rules. 3.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-walker/the-seven-traits-of-elite-captains-1-extreme-doggedness-and-focus-in/) [Sam Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-walker/) > [“Dr. Stern’s explanation of how to identify this kind of covert emotional control and abuse, and how to resist it, is a very important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-stern/dr-stern-s-explanation-of-how-to-identify-this-kind-of-covert/) [Robin Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-stern/) ## More by Richard Guare > [“When it comes to smarts, adolescents like Jesse have plenty. What they lack, however, are some of the brain-based skills that we all need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/when-it-comes-to-smarts-adolescents-like-jesse-have-plenty-what-they/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) > [“frontal brain systems, and therefore executive skills, will require approximately 25 years to develop fully. Given these factors, children and adolescents cannot rely solely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/frontal-brain-systems-and-therefore-executive-skills-will-require/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) > [“To highlight these issues of development in the adolescent brain, a recent article in Parade magazine compared the teenage brain to a Ferrari. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/to-highlight-these-issues-of-development-in-the-adolescent-brain-a/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) > [“While motivation can play a significant role in teens’ behavior, it’s important to recognize that some behaviors reflect a skill weakness rather than a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/while-motivation-can-play-a-significant-role-in-teens-behavior-it-s/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) > [“For teenagers who struggle with these skills, more trouble lies ahead as the tasks in life become more complicated and more demanding of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/for-teenagers-who-struggle-with-these-skills-more-trouble-lies-ahead/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) > [“A related but more complex aspect of working memory gives us the ability to draw on past learning or experience and apply it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/a-related-but-more-complex-aspect-of-working-memory-gives-us-the/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) > [“Two Dimensions of Executive Skills: Thinking and Doing Executive skills involving thinking (cognition) Working memory Planning/prioritization Organization Time management Metacognition Executive skills involving doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/two-dimensions-of-executive-skills-thinking-and-doing-executive/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) > [“Over a period of 10 to 12 years, beginning around puberty, the plasticity of the adolescent brain allows for rewiring. What the final wiring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/over-a-period-of-10-to-12-years-beginning-around-puberty-the/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) > [“To evaluate weaknesses in your teen, be aware of his capacity to engage in effortful (and nonpreferred) mental tasks. If he is bright and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/to-evaluate-weaknesses-in-your-teen-be-aware-of-his-capacity-to/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) > [“Your teen is probably trying—and trying hard—to do everything his or her peers are expected to do as they mature and face increasing responsibilities.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/your-teen-is-probably-trying-and-trying-hard-to-do-everything-his-or/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) > [“While all executive skills are important, when it comes to teenagers, parents are likely to be particularly aware of the impact of specific skills.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/while-all-executive-skills-are-important-when-it-comes-to-teenagers/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) > [“Working memory involves two different but related skills. The first is the ability to hold information in mind while performing complex tasks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/working-memory-involves-two-different-but-related-skills-the-first-is/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) > [“Neuroscience research tells us that the adolescent brain is primed for the acquisition of new skills. Teens are driven to seek out new experiences,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-guare/neuroscience-research-tells-us-that-the-adolescent-brain-is-primed/) [Richard Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) [Explore all 14 Richard Guare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-guare/) ## More Circadian rhythm quotes > [A human body can think thoughts, play a piano, kill germs, remove toxins, make a baby all at once. Once it's doing that your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michio-kaku/a-human-body-can-think-thoughts-play-a-piano-kill-germs-remove-toxins/) [Michio Kaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michio-kaku/) > [ We're not really sure why it \[broken circadian rhythm\] continues, but when they become adults, we usually have to treat it because many people… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/we-re-not-really-sure-why-it-broken-circadian-rhythm-continues-but/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [My painting technique has not changed that much over time, although perhaps I am painting tighter and with more detail, in spite of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/my-painting-technique-has-not-changed-that-much-over-time-although/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [I'm envious of people who can sleep as long as they want. I have the circadian rhythm of a farmer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moby/i-m-envious-of-people-who-can-sleep-as-long-as-they-want-i-have-the/) [Moby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moby/) > [So when it comes to circadian rhythms, it's a clock that's basically programmed in our body. So if you think back to times when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/so-when-it-comes-to-circadian-rhythms-it-s-a-clock-that-s-basically/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [So someone who is a child usually goes to bed about 8:00 or 9:00 at night, but then when they have a circadian rhythm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/so-someone-who-is-a-child-usually-goes-to-bed-about-8-00-or-9-00-at/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [There is the idea that, when we look at things, it is the yellow light that helps us the most, that we are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rogier-van-der-heide/there-is-the-idea-that-when-we-look-at-things-it-is-the-yellow-light/) [Rogier van der Heide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rogier-van-der-heide/) > [We have other opposite problems with circadian rhythms that can happen when you - a lot of times with older adults. They start to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/we-have-other-opposite-problems-with-circadian-rhythms-that-can/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [You can get the highest quality sleep by keeping your sleep cycles in tune with the rhythms of the universe (known as circadian rhythms).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/you-can-get-the-highest-quality-sleep-by-keeping-your-sleep-cycles-in/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Five hours' New York jet lag and Cayce Pollard wakes in Camden Town to the dire and ever-circling wolves of disrupted circadian rhythm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/five-hours-new-york-jet-lag-and-cayce-pollard-wakes-in-camden-town-to/) [William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/) > [“Each of us has a “chronotype”—a personal pattern of circadian rhythms that influences our physiology and psychology.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/each-of-us-has-a-chronotype-a-personal-pattern-of-circadian-rhythms/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [It's uncommon, but there are some people who just have a delayed circadian rhythm and they just - they sleep better during the day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/it-s-uncommon-but-there-are-some-people-who-just-have-a-delayed/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [Lithium tweaks many mood-altering chemicals in the brain, and its effects are complicated. Most interesting, lithium seems to reset the body’s circadian rhythm, its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-kean/lithium-tweaks-many-mood-altering-chemicals-in-the-brain-and-its/) [Sam Kean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-kean/) > [The first thing I do in the morning is to get some sunlight in my eyes, it is good for circadian rhythm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erling-haaland/the-first-thing-i-do-in-the-morning-is-to-get-some-sunlight-in-my/) [Erling Haaland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erling-haaland/) > [“Time and tide. Love had its own circadian rhythms, and it was beginning to look like he and Max had missed their chance, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/time-and-tide-love-had-its-own-circadian-rhythms-and-it-was-beginning/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) [Browse all 25 Circadian rhythm quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circadian-rhythm/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Neurotransmitters are chemical-like substances that travel between nerve cells across a synapse and determine whether a nerve signal keeps going or halts. Levels of two of these neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, decrease during adolescence. The decrease in dopamine results in mood changes and problems with emotional control. The decrease in serotonin results in decreased impulse control. A third neurotransmitter, melatonin, increases in adolescence. 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