Skip to main content

Where is my Happy Pill?


You may know that low levels of the brain's chemical serotonin are often associated with depression. However, it's been difficult for scientists to measure its natural fluctuations. A recent study provides the first glimpse at monitoring Serotonin in humans in real-time.


 Several patients scheduled for brain surgery without full anesthesia volunteered to have a special microelectrode inserted during their procedure. The device tracked their serotonin levels while they performed a psychological test following the movement of a random dot.

 

In addition to providing a breakthrough in measuring Serotonin, this study by neuroscientists at University College London produced several other important findings. It confirmed Serotonin's involvement in a wide range of cognitive functions and showed how it affects different parts of the brain.

 

These findings could help create more effective treatments for many conditions, including depression and Parkinson's Disease.

 

Meanwhile, there are things you can do to increase your serotonin levels now. Learn more about the benefits of Serotonin and how it affects your health.

 

Understanding the Benefits of Serotonin

 

Serotonin does much more than help govern your brain's pleasure and reward centers. It's also involved in general cognition and many body functions.

 

Did you know Serotonin:

 

  1. Reduce depression and anxiety. Imbalances in Serotonin can affect your mood. Some of the most popular antidepressants like Prozac work by blocking the reabsorption of Serotonin, so you have more available in your brain.

  2. Enhance your digestion. You might be surprised to hear that most of your Serotonin is in your gastrointestinal tract. Your gut microbiome helps control your digestion, as well as your immune system and brain health. This is why what you eat affects your mood.

  3. Lose weight. Serotonin is also a natural appetite suppressant. Balancing your brain chemicals could curb your carbohydrate cravings.

  4. Sleep well. Do you have trouble sleeping? Different serotonin receptors help control both sleeping and waking. They could be the answer to your insomnia.

  5. Be social. Serotonin might even help you to make friends and impress your boss. It's one of the brain chemicals that makes it easier to cooperate with others and deal with challenging situations.

 

So How Can I Increase My Serotonin Levels?

 

Brain chemistry is complicated, so Serotonin is just one factor in mood regulation and other processes.

 

Try experimenting with these natural home remedies for boosting your serotonin levels:

 

  1. Exercise regularly. Staying active helps your body to produce more Serotonin and use it more effectively. Smart choices include aerobic activities like biking and running. If you don't have time for formal exercise, just get your body moving; dance around the house or go for a brisk walk (walking in mather nature is a double whammy!!)

  2. Adjust your diet. Your body makes Serotonin by breaking down tryptophan, an amino acid found in certain foods. You can find it in nuts, cheese, poultry, eggs, and salmon. You may also want to eat more probiotics like yogurt and tempeh that increase tryptophan levels too.

  3. Turn up the lights. Inadequate exposure to light can lead to serotonin deficiencies. Spend time outdoors each day. If you experience winter depression, ask your doctor about light therapy.

  4. Manage stress. Help Serotonin along by staying upbeat. Make time in your schedule for laughter and relaxation. Time with family and friends, watch a comedy or read a good book.

  5. Book a massage. One study found that a massage increases serotonin levels by almost 30%. Get a professional massage or learn to do it yourself or with a partner.

  6. Consider supplements. Products that may increase Serotonin include pure tryptophan, folic acid, and vitamin B12. For your safety, let your doctor know about any supplements you take.

 

There's abundant evidence that Serotonin helps make us happy, as well as affecting many aspects of our behavior and decision-making. Try natural methods for increasing serotonin and talk with your doctor if you think you may be depressed or have other symptoms that concern you.


Like my posts? Please follow me on Facebook or Instagram under Recovery Enthusiast. I also have a podcast on Anchor and Spotify under Motivations 4U. I'm also on YouTube; you can follow my journey. And to learn more about my guides to recovery, go to recoveryenthusiast.com

 

As always, stay blessed and live your life Enthusiastically!!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Empowering Women in Recovery: A Journey of Self-Discovery with Recovery Enthusiast Online Courses

Are you a woman on the path to recovery, seeking guidance and empowerment? Our life coaching courses are specifically designed to support and inspire women like you. Discover a transformative journey that fosters resilience, self-love, and lasting change. Why Our Courses Stand Out 1.      Tailored for Women in Recovery : Understand the unique challenges and strengths of women in recovery. Our proven approach provides a safe, supportive environment where you can thrive. 2.      Holistic Approach : Our life coaching method goes beyond traditional recovery programs. We integrate mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness to help you rebuild your life from the ground up. 3.      Community Support : Join a sisterhood of empowered women who share your journey. Connect, support, and grow together with our dedicated community. Testimonials "These courses have changed my life. They gave me the tools and confidence to reclaim my future. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Wasting Time With Micro Timewasters

I t's   funny how we  notice when we waste time on a large scale. We notice that we spend an hour on social media or watch TV for three hours. However, these aren’t the only ways we waste time. We waste time in dozens of ways each day. Many of these time wasters aren’t always obvious, but the time can really add up over the course of a day, a week, or a decade. Your time is your most valuable commodity. Think about it, you can always make more money, but you can never make more time. We all have the same 24 hours a day. So in order to make the most of it, we need to be very cautious about time wasters. Don’t let your time just be frittered away! Imagine how much you could accomplish in that time! What could you do that really matters to you? Guard your time from the micro timewasters with these strategies: 1. Always have a phone charger with you. How many times a week do you need a phone charger and have to go into the other room to fetch it? Have multiple chargers and keep th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Coming Back From Burnout: 5 Tips for Reaching Recovery

Burn out The human brain and body are powerful learning machines. They adapt to new experiences and environments remarkably well. However, when the brain is overloaded, it can shut down. When this happens, the body ultimately shuts down as well. When recovering from burnout, it's essential first to regain mental clarity.   You need to think clearly to restore balance in your life. Exercise is one of the best ways to do this. As you start regularly exercising, your brain will see gains in your cognitive function. Proper rest is also essential.   All these points prove that although burnout is a serious problem, you can work to recover. What, then, can you do to recover from burnout? Consider the following tips:   You first need to admit that you've reached a state of burnout. If you're feeling burned out, it's a sign that you're not working to your strengths anymore.   ●       Take the time to figure out what's getting to you an...
Post a Comment
Read more