Who doesn’t want to be happier? Finding ways to activate your “happy hormones” can improve your mood and overall health. Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins (DOSE) are both hormones and neurotransmitters that contribute to feelings of happiness, well-being and motivation.
Serotonin: The Natural Mood Booster
When you are feeling like all is right in the world and feel happy or even euphoric, this is the effects of serotonin.
Feeling?
- anxiety
- panic attacks
- overly sensitive
- social phobia
How to Increase Serotonin
“Low levels of serotonin are linked to depression. The most commonly used antidepressants, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
It’s also possible to increase serotonin levels without taking medicine. One natural way to increase serotonin is by working out. When you pedal your bicycle or lift weights, your body releases more tryptophan, the amino acid your brain uses to make serotonin. This boost in serotonin (along with other endorphins and other neurotransmitters) is why many people get that feeling of euphoria known as a “runner’s high” after an intense workout.
Exposure to either the sun or to the bright light meant to replicate it is another way to naturally increase serotonin levels. Light therapy is one of the main treatments for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the winter blues that may be triggered by a drop in serotonin levels.
Getting extra serotonin from foods is a bit trickier. Protein-rich foods such as turkey are high in tryptophan, but our bodies don’t convert it to serotonin very efficiently. One way to possibly sneak more tryptophan into your brain is to get it from complex carbohydrate sources, such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains.”
Next: Endorphins for Pain Relief
