Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals from one brain area to another, and serotonin acts exactly like these chemicals in the brain.
It is considered that serotonin affects various psychological and other functions in the body, including cells related to appetite, sexual desire, mood, memory, sleep, learning, behavior, and temperature regulation.
This brain chemical is usually related to depression, but most people don’t know the other various functions of serotonin in the brain, and they think that serotonin can be reproduced with drugs available only with a prescription from a doctor, which can cause severe side effects.
But we can increase serotonin completely naturally, and this should be exciting news!
Low amounts of this brain chemical are in some part connected to various diseases, both acute and chronic.
We strongly encourage you to read and use the following valuable information to increase your physical and mental health.
These are the 5 natural ways to increase the level of serotonin in the brain:
1. Take Some 5-HTP
This substance which was initially called 5-Hydroxytryptophan has been proven to effectively Healthline, hypertension, anxiety, insomnia, and fibromyalgia. It succeeds in doing these things by stimulating serotonin production.
Moreover, 5-HTP showed positive results on weight levels, since it suppresses the appetite. One Italian study conducted on females showed that those who ingested this substance lost an extra 10 pounds in 2 weeks, as opposed to the placebo group who managed to lose 2 pounds in that period.
Inexperience the boosting effects of 5-HTP on serotonin, it is recommended 100 to 400 mg daily dosage, consumed in multiple doses, for example at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Expect noticeable results of 5-HTP supplementation after a period of 4 to 6 weeks.
2. Get Some B Vitamins
Vitamin B6 especially helps in both the function and development of serotonin in the brain. Since it has numerous effects on brain chemicals, people prone to stress should add a B-complex product to their diet.
Vitamin B6 and B12 are both effective in reducing symptoms of depression while at the same time preventing erratic neutral brain activity.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published Healthline which showed that a diet supplemented with B vitamins improved the condition of older adults with depression or depressive-like symptoms.
The recommended daily dosage of B-complex product, like a supplement, is 50 to 100 milligrams.
People with additional symptoms such as exhaustion or chronic stress/fatigue should add pantothenic acid daily. B5 vitamins in 250 mg dosage should be sufficient for the improvement of these symptoms.
3. Embrace The Light
Have you ever wondered why our mood is drastically improved by opening the shades on a sunny day? This may be because our brain produces serotonin chemicals by itself. Even on a cool, cloudy day, a little sunshine has a noticeable, positive influence on our mood.
A healthy and productive practice is to have about 15-20 minutes walk, once or twice a day. The best time of the day to have a walk is in the morning, and here are the 2 reasons for that: (1) at this time of the day we can burn more calories, and (2) in this way we’re mentally preparing for the whole day.
So in this way, our brain will produce serotonin, while at the same time, we will burn some calories.
4. Get a Massage
You already know that massages feel so good, but did you know that they directly influence the levels of serotonin? On a physiological level, massages lower cortisol- the stress hormone which blocks serotonin production.
According to many types of research, professional massages reduce cortisol levels by 31%. Once the production of cortisol is prevented, the brain is capable of producing serotonin. Moreover, massages can increase the production of dopamine – a “reward and pleasure” brain chemical.
According to many experts, guided massage therapies are the most efficient method of increasing the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, along with other beneficial effects. Nevertheless, even a simple message by someone close will be enough for the majority. People with turmoil and trauma are advised to consult a licensed massage therapist.
5. Meditate
Numerous scientific studies have shown that meditation has physical and psychological benefits, which is why any article on ‘serotonin-boosting” includes meditation. There are several meditative practices, all of which improve serotonin production.
The most beneficial meditation practice for boosting serotonin is probably Transcendental Meditation (TM).
According to researchers, TM is a potent stimulant on the levels of serotonin as a result of the increase of 5-HIAA- one of serotonin’s building blocks. Science has found that increased levels of serotonin in the brain are directly related to increased amounts of 5-HIAA.
Meditation lowers the cortisol levels in the brain, similar to massages. Moreover, meditation is exceptionally proficient in causing a relaxed brain response while repressing the natural fight or flight” reaction of the brain.
Another meditative practice related to increasing serotonin levels is mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). The reason is that MBSR additionally sensitizes the receptors of serotonin.
An interesting fact is that military personnel exposed to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are using this MBSR type of meditative technique.