What characters! The personality of neurotransmitters and hormones: create your own story
Imagine that inside your brain there is a kind of city full of characters. Each one has its own style, personality, and mission, and although they sometimes argue, they actually work together so that you can think, learn, feel, and react.
Here we introduce the main characters:
Dopamine: “The Motivated One”
She always shows up with a megaphone shouting: “Come on, we can do it!”. She loves challenges, achievements, and rewards. If you unlock a level in a video game, if you get praised in class, or if you finish a difficult assignment, she’s the one who makes you feel that rush of pride.
Her weak point: she becomes obsessed with “likes” and quick notifications.
Serotonin: “The Balanced One”
She rides a scooter calmly, wearing sunglasses. She loves the sun, gentle exercise, and spending time with friends. She’s the one who tells you: “Relax, everything will be fine”. Thanks to her, your mood stays stable.
Her weak point: if there’s too little of her, everything looks gray and boring.
Cortisol: “The Alarm”
He always carries a megaphone and a siren. “Danger, danger, study now or you’ll fail!”. He’s useful because he puts you on alert during an exam or if someone challenges you.
His problem: sometimes he doesn’t know when to stop, and if he shouts for too long, he makes you nervous and freezes you up.
Oxytocin: “The Hugger”
She always arrives with balloons, hugs, and smiles. She makes you trust people and enjoy being in a group. If you feel accepted by your friends or your team, it’s because she’s doing her job.
Her weak point: she hates isolation and gets sad when there are fights or rejections.
Adrenaline: “The Super Fast One”
He arrives running, wearing sneakers and an excited face. He activates you when you’re on a roller coaster, in a game, or when you have to speak in public.
His problem: sometimes he overdoes it and makes your hands shake or your mouth feel dry.
Endorphins: “The Cheerful Ones”
They’re a group of triplets, always laughing, dancing, and cracking jokes. They show up when you run, dance, sing, or watch a good movie. Their mission: to make you enjoy yourself and even feel less pain.
Their problem: if they’re missing, everything feels heavier.
GABA: “The Calm One”
He walks slowly, with headphones and a soft voice. He tells you: “Relax, breathe, you’ve got it under control”. He’s the one who keeps everything from getting out of hand when the rest get intense.
His weak point: if he doesn’t show up, it’s hard for you to concentrate.
Activity: create your mini comic
Now that you know these characters, imagine a story where they interact. To help you, here are five possible settings where they could have an adventure:
- In an important exam: Dopamine cheers you on, Cortisol shouts, and GABA tries to calm the situation.
- In a soccer or basketball game: Adrenaline runs, Endorphins celebrate, and Oxytocin brings the team together.
- On social media: Dopamine gets excited about the likes, Cortisol fears the negative comments, and Serotonin reminds you to go out and get some sun.
- On a class field trip: Oxytocin hands out hugs, Adrenaline gets excited while climbing, and GABA calms things down when someone gets scared.
- At a concert or dance: Endorphins laugh, Adrenaline jumps, and Serotonin keeps things calm so you can enjoy it.
Challenge: Make a 3-step mini comic where these characters interact. Choose the setting you like best and show how neurotransmitters and hormones organize themselves (or get tangled up) to help you in that situation.