Have you heard of the happiness hormone? It's a chemical called serotonin that our body produces naturally and it's essential for our overall well-being. Did you know that Serotonin, like Dopamine, it's a neurotransmitter produced mostly in the gut?
Serotonin, the Happiness Hormone, is associated with feelings of happiness, relaxation, and self-confidence.
In his latest book, Mental Fitness: Maximizing Mood, Motivation and Mental Wellness by Optimizing the Brain-Body-Biome, Shawn M. Talbott, PhD, writes, “a wealth of studies in mice show that changing the bacteria in the gut can change behavior related to introversion/extroversion, depression/anxiety, and obesity/leanness.” Part of why this occurs, according to Dr. Talbott, is because, “up to 95% of the body’s serotonin (the neurotransmitter of happiness) is made in the gut. Likewise, up to 70% of our dopamine (for motivation) along with the majority of our norepinephrine (for focus) and GABA (for relaxation) and many others.”
“up to 95% of the body’s serotonin (the neurotransmitter of happiness) is made in the gut.
What if your serotonin production is low? What might you be experiencing?
anger
binge eating and carbohydrate cravings
constipation
digestive complaints
feeling glum from lack of sunlight
feeling overly dependent on others
feeling overwhelmed
hypervigilance
insomnia
joylessness
low self-esteem
migraines
pain sensitivity
poor cognitive function
tinnitus
When we have balanced levels of serotonin, we feel happy, content, and confident. It can help with anxiety, mood swings, and even depression. Here are 10 benefits of having balanced serotonin:
1. Improved sleep quality
2. Reduced feelings of stress and tension
3. Reduced appetite and cravings
4. Increased energy
5. Improved memory and cognitive function
6. Reduced pain and migraines
7. Lowered risk of heart disease
8. Improved digestion
9. Increased social behavior
10. Reduced symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Overall, when we have a healthy amount of the happiness hormone in our body, we feel better both mentally and physically. We feel happier, more fulfilled, and more at ease with ourselves and our surroundings. It's an amazing feeling that we often don't notice has begun to slip away and our overall wellness is declining (and often misdiagnosed). So, take steps to increase your serotonin levels, such as feeding your gut proactively, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and spending time in the sunlight. Trust me, your body and mind will thank you!
Happy Gut. Happy Summer. Happy You.
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xoxo
Nelea R. Lane
a/k/a The Happy Juice Chick
Founder of Legacy Wellness Entrepreneurs
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