{"id":36950,"date":"2016-08-04T11:30:22","date_gmt":"2016-08-04T15:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hhoupgrade.wpengine.com\/?p=36950"},"modified":"2025-01-29T21:08:33","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T02:08:33","slug":"ways-to-increase-serotonin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthyhempoil.com\/ways-to-increase-serotonin\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Natural Ways to Increase Serotonin and Up Your Happy Hormone"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Health and happiness go hand in hand\u2014you can\u2019t have one without the other. In fact, the<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.who.int\/about\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">World Health Organization<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (WHO) states that \u201c[h]ealth is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing.\u201d So how healthy are you?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In this article, you\u2019ll learn about one of the key components to both health and happiness: serotonin. You&#8217;ll also discover natural ways to increase serotonin and boost your physical and emotional wellbeing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Happy Hormone<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Serotonin is often referred to as the body\u2019s \u201chappy\u201d or \u201cfeel good\u201d hormone. It is one of the most important neurotransmitters for health. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that enable information to be communicated between the brain and the rest of the body by sending signals from one nerve cell to another.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You\u2019ve probably heard of serotonin\u2019s effect on mood, but did you know it also affects your physical body? Serotonin plays a role in many of the body\u2019s functions, and this fits in with how it is produced; while some serotonin is made in the brain, the vast majority is manufactured in your enteric nervous system, otherwise known as the &#8220;gut-brain.&#8221; Around<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/depression\/features\/serotonin#1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">90% of the body\u2019s serotonin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is found in your digestive tract.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What It Regulates<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Serotonin affects nearly all of our 40 million brain cells, so it is no surprise that it has a part to play in regulating many aspects of your health:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mood<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sleep<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Memory and learning<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Social behaviors<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sexual desire<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Body temperature<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Muscles<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Endocrine system (hormones)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cardiovascular system<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>The Importance of Serotonin<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Because serotonin affects so many aspects of mental and physical wellbeing, it is paramount to keep your levels topped up. Low serotonin levels are linked to a host of issues, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Low mood<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Anxiety<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Depression<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sleep disturbances<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Chronic pain<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What\u2019s more,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2077351\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> published in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience finds that people with frequent low moods are more likely to experience chronic illnesses like heart disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The link between mind and body has been studied widely and gains in support each year. Indeed, happiness is important in its own right but also because it has been found to protect against both mental and physical disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Limits of Pharmaceuticals<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are usually prescribed to people experiencing<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">anxiety or depression<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. As we\u2019ve seen, serotonin is a messenger chemical. Once it has delivered its message, it is usually reabsorbed by the nerve cells. This is known as \u201creuptake.\u201d SSRIs work by blocking (inhibiting) this reuptake, which results in more serotonin being available in the brain. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These medications take a while to work because, initially, the brain\u2019s serotonin receptor (known as <\/span><a href=\"\/5-ht1a-the-serotonin-receptor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">5-HT1A the Serotonin Receptor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">) blocks the release of extra serotonin. Coupled with a long list of side effects, pharmaceutical anti-depressants may not be that helpful after all.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The good news is that there are plenty of natural ways to increase serotonin. Take a look at the tips below, and see how easy it can be to boost your levels of feel-good hormone.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Eat Your Way to Happiness<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As we\u2019ve seen, there\u2019s a definite brain-gut connec<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tion; the majority of serotonin is found in the intestines. So it will come as no surprise that diet plays a key role in increasing your levels of serotonin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The body synthesizes serotonin from the amino acid tryptophan. This is an essential amino acid because the body doesn\u2019t produce it on its own; you need to obtain it from your diet. Foods that are high in protein, vitamins B2 and B6, and iron tend to be rich in tryptophan. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nuts and seeds like sesame, sunflower and walnuts<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Oily fish like salmon<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Eggs<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dairy<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Meat<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vegetables like spinach, broccoli, watercress and mushrooms<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fermented foods like sauerkraut<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To boost your absorption of tryptophan, pair these foods with healthy carbs like whole grains or grain-like seeds such as amaranth, millet, quinoa and buckwheat. These are great sources of high-protein carbohydrates that will give your serotonin levels a boost.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reducing your consumption of processed foods, which are high in chemical additives, refined carbohydrates, sugar and trans-fats, will also have a direct impact on your mood.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturalnews.com\/037021_foods_depression_mental_health.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These foods<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> are known to cause mental and physical health conditions. What\u2019s more, they rob the body of energy, which creates feelings of lethargy and depression. Focus instead on natural wholefoods. Fill your plate with a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, go for healthy sources of protein, snack on nuts, and see how quickly you start to feel better.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Think Your Way to Happiness<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Many a life-coach has extolled the virtues of positive thinking, but this has a basis in science too. A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/18043767\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> carried out by the Department of Psychology of the University of Montr\u00e9al finds that self-induced changes in mood can influence serotonin levels. In other words, if you think happy thoughts, you boost your happy hormone and, therefore, increase your feelings of happiness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoid activities that will cause you to think dark thoughts. TV and newspapers can be filled with negative and stress-inducing messages; turn away from media, and do something that makes you feel good. Spend time with friends, try a yoga or meditation class, read an uplifting book, or surround yourself with<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tinybuddha.com\/wisdom-quotes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">inspiring quotes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Thinking happy thoughts CAN alter your brain chemistry\u2014choose to see your glass half-full.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Light Up Your Way to Happiness<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is probably one of the easiest things you can do to make yourself feel happier. Natural light is a well-researched and established treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder, but<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/15800134\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">researchers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> have found that it also affects levels of serotonin in the brain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In our fast-paced modern lives, we spend much of our time indoors, either at our place of work, on the train, or at home. Make a point of including more light into your day by taking a walk at lunchtime or a gentle stroll after dinner instead of watching TV. The fresh air and movement will also do your mood a world of good.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Happy and Healthy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Being healthy doesn\u2019t just mean being free from disease. It means feeling happy, contented, and at peace. You have the right to complete health. With a holistic diet of whole foods, positive thoughts and natural light, you can boost your levels of serotonin and start feeling happy and healthy. What are you waiting for?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What are your thoughts on the WHO\u2019s definition of health? Do you feel healthy? How to do you make yourself feel happier? What do you think of the tips above? We always love to hear your thoughts and experiences, so feel free to drop us a line in the comments section below.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Health and happiness go hand in hand\u2014you can\u2019t have one without the other. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that \u201c[h]ealth is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing.\u201d So how healthy are you? In this article, you\u2019ll learn about one of the key components to both health and happiness: serotonin. 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