Biochemical Foundations of Emotion Regulation: Implications for Pharmacological and Psychological Interventions-A Narrative Review

OBM Neurobiology. 2025. Vol. 9. No. 4. Article 310.

Gerges M., Kosonogov V.

Emotion regulation (ER) involves processes by which individuals modulate the intensity, duration, and expression of emotional responses, and its dysregulation is associated with a broad spectrum of psychological disorders. While traditionally conceptualized within psychological frameworks, ER is increasingly recognized as biologically grounded, involving intricate interactions between neurochemical, hormonal, and metabolic systems. This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on biochemical substrates of ER, with a specific focus on integrating findings across neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, GABA, glutamate), classical regulatory hormones (cortisol, oxytocin), and metabolic hormones (leptin, ghrelin, insulin). We critically examine how these systems interact with both adaptive and maladaptive ER strategies, and how they are modulated by pharmacological treatments (e.g., antidepressants, mood stabilizers) and substances (e.g., alcohol, illicit drugs). A particular contribution of this review lies in its emphasis on metabolic hormones. This domain remains underrepresented in mainstream ER models despite emerging relevance in stress reactivity and emotion-linked behavior. Although evidence suggests compelling associations, much of the existing research remains correlational, and further longitudinal studies are warranted. Although structured to capture key developments, the narrative design may not encompass every relevant study, and variations in methodologies across research contexts suggest that comparisons should be interpreted with caution. Nevertheless, this work identifies conceptual gaps and outlines practical implications, including the potential to tailor interventions based on individual neurochemical and behavioral profiles.

Keywords: Biochemistry, Hormones, emotion regulation strategies