Serotonin is your happy hormone but what is it & what does it do?

If there was a pill for being happy would you use it?
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter commonly known as the “feel-good chemical.” Brain & nervous system cells use it to communicate with one another. It’s a hormone that maintains our mood and general well-being.

Serotonin also helps to regulate several brain functions like:

• appetite
• learning
• sleep
• memory
• cognition

If your serotonin levels are low, you may be more susceptible to anxiety or depression. To boost your mood, you can increase serotonin levels naturally in the following ways:

#1 Sunlight & Vitamin D

The ultraviolet rays in sunlight absorbed through your skin promote vitamin D and serotonin production. Getting into nature can have a strong impact on your state of mind and inspire a feeling of peace and meditative calmness too.

#2 Gratitude, Mindfulness & Positive thinking

Gratitude (being grateful) can boost serotonin and activate the brain stem to produce dopamine. Dopamine is our brain’s pleasure chemical. The more we think positive, grateful thoughts, the healthier and happier we feel.

#3 Nutrient rich food, drinks & good gut health

Nutrient rich foods = good mood food… look no further than our Probiotic Foods range of powders & capsules to easily increase the amount of nutrition you are consuming each day.

Some foods naturally contain serotonin, but there are other nutrients that our body also needs to produce it, including tryptophan and omega-3 fatty acids. Try to include foods such as oats, nuts and seeds, plantains, pineapple, tofu and kiwis in your diet.

Need some help with your gut health? Give a little listen to our podcast – ‘Have you got the guts to be really healthy?’ Or watch Don’s documentary-film ‘No reason for disease’ it’s available to rent/stream or buy/download via VIMEO

#4 Giving & receiving physical touch eg. massage

Positive hormones are increased by massage. Which in tern increases the positive hormones endorphins, serotonin and dopamine which also encourages relaxation. An increase in relaxation reduces the feelings of anxiety and nervousness, decreasing stress and tension.

#5 Dark chocolate or Cacao

Dark chocolate and raw cacao are the ultimate mood booster, they contain an amino acid called tryptophan that your brain uses to produce Serotonin. Cacao also stimulates the release of phenylethylamine (PEA) which can boost focus and awareness.
We just started stocking our favourite brand of Ceremonial Cacao Freedom Cacao which is infused with freedom and love frequencies to make it extra special.

#6 Manage caffeine intake

Caffeine can immediately improve the mood by stimulating dopamine, although it depletes your serotonin over time, which will ultimately cause you to feel worse. So why not use a more natural energy boost instead? We recommend Green Barley Grass for a natural energy & immune boost and/or Freedom Cacao to boost focus and awareness.

#7 Regular exercise

Exercise can be helpful for people who deal with anxiety and panic attacks. Physical activity triggers a release of dopamine and serotonin, which can improve mood.

#8 Meditation

Meditating can help relieve stress and promote a positive outlook on life, which can greatly boost serotonin levels. Your body has a greater chance to heal & rebuild in a meditative state.

#9 Sleep

If you have been doing all of the above during the day then you should have been producing lots of serotonin molecules that the brain can then naturally convert the serotonin into melatonin which is your main sleep hormone.

If you need additional help getting some good Z’s you could also try our Sleepy Herbs