Women are twice as likely to experience mental health issues. A new study sheds light on why this is. Women’s brains are wired differently. A part of the brain called the locus coeruleus is responsible in part for producing a hormone called norepinephrine. A deficit of this hormone is related to depression, anxiety, even trouble sleeping. In fact the female brain has 3x more receptors associated with stress and depression – which can explain why they are more likely to be affected.