existhormones

Existhormones are a hypothetical class of signaling molecules proposed to influence existential aspects of cognition and behavior. The term is used in speculative discussions of how organisms assess meaning, agency, and threat under conditions of uncertainty. In these frameworks, existhormones are envisioned as endocrine-like or paracrine signaling agents that modulate brain circuits involved in self-referential processing, value attribution, and decision making.

Chemical nature and signaling mechanisms attributed to existhormones vary in theoretical models. They are sometimes described as lipid-derived mediators or short peptide hormones produced in neural tissue and certain peripheral organs. Proposed release pathways include circulating endocrine routes and local synaptic or paracrine signaling. Putative receptors, referred to in some accounts as existhormone receptors (ExR), are imagined to activate diverse signaling cascades, including G protein–coupled and intracellular receptor pathways. The precise molecular identity, synthesis triggers, and degradation processes remain speculative.

Functions and effects attributed to existhormones center on modulating existentially relevant states. In theory, they could influence mood, anxiety, risk assessment, and motivational drives related to seeking meaning, social belonging, or purposeful action. They might alter threat appraisal, tolerance for ambiguity, and prioritization of long-term goals over immediate rewards, particularly under uncertain or mortality-related stressors.

Status and research directions are cautious, given the lack of empirical validation. Existhormones are discussed primarily as a conceptual framework in theoretical neuroscience and philosophy of biology. If studied, researchers would seek candidate molecules, receptor pathways, and behavioral paradigms to evaluate potential roles in existential cognition. See also existential neuroscience, neurochemistry, hormonal signaling.