Happiness is In Your Belly – Backed By Science…
You’ve probably heard the expression “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” This means that if you cook for a person, they’re happy after eating some good food. If you think about this old adage the underlying message is that happiness is something that exists in our bellies. According to science, this is actually true.
What is serotonin?
Serotonin is a chemical compound that acts as a neurotransmitter. It is responsible for mood regulation and helps to keep us happy. We hear about serotonin is present in the brain, but there are many serotonin receptors in our stomachs. There’s been research to show that if we can eat foods and take supplements that regulate our digestion, our brains actually get more serotonin and as a result, we are happier. People have noticed that taking probiotics has helped their gut feel better, they are often less bloated and their mood generally improves.
You can’t find serotonin in the foods we eat, but there are foods that are rich in tryptophan, which is another chemical that helps regulate our moods. Turkey is a good source of tryptophan, which is why people tend to be happy after eating Thanksgiving dinner. Eggs are a versatile food. They come in a variety of forms and have wealth of nutrients. They’re rich in omega-3s, and they have the ability to increase our blood plasma levels of tryptophan. This results in delivering more serotonin to your brain.
There are natural ways to get serotonin going in your body in addition to food. Exercise is an excellent method to stimulate your blood flow and increase serotonin levels in your brain. When you work out, your circulation improves, your endorphins or happy hormones are activated and serotonin travels through your bloodstream and into your brain. The result is that you’re feeling pretty great. You want to keep this feeling going, which is why some people get hooked on going to the gym.
Why is serotonin so important?
Serotonin is connected with mood regulation. People who suffer from mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety, often have low serotonin levels. That’s why some people choose to seek out help from a psychiatrist when they can’t manage their moods. A psychiatrist, whether they’re seeing you in-person or an online, has the ability to prescribe medications that help regulate the levels of serotonin in your brain. For more information on what psychiatrists do online as opposed to in-person, click here. It’s important to know your options when it comes to treating mood disorders. There’s no harm in consulting with a psychiatrist to find out whether or not your mental health issues can be treated with medication effectively.
Remember…
However you get your serotonin, it’s undoubtedly an essential chemical we need in order to lead a happy life. If you have a serotonin imbalance you will notice and your mood will start to suffer. Make sure you take this seriously and consult a medical professional to get help. Remember your happiness matters!
