Catecholamines are a class of neurotransmitters and hormones that play a crucial role in the body's response to stress, as well as in regulating various bodily functions. The main catecholamines are dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline). They are synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine and are involved in the regulation of mood, arousal, attention, and the fight or flight response. Dysregulation of catecholamines has been linked to a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease. Research in this area aims to better understand the role of catecholamines in these conditions and to develop new treatments that target the catecholaminergic system.