Most often we hear the second name of serotonin – “the hormone of happiness.” This is wrong, because serotonin is not a hormone, because it is a carrier of nerve impulses in nerve cells. The so-called depression is the result of a failure in this well-coordinated work. When all is well, then we feel joy and happiness.
“The hormone of happiness”: myth or reality?
It should be noted that serotonin is not found in foods. It is synthesized by our body. The products contain an important substance such as tryptophan… He is responsible for the well-coordinated work of serotonin metabolism in the body.
Why does our body need serotonin?
In addition to being happy, serotonin can lower blood pressure, regulate kidney and liver filtration, and constrict blood vessels. Optimum body temperature and good breathing are also messengers of the normal metabolic process of serotonin. Serotonin in our body is found in the brain and spinal cord. This is because it is here that there are most of the accumulations of nerve cells.
How to cheer up?
In order to cheer up a bad mood, psychologists recommend setting yourself up for positive thinking. Not only your mood depends on this, but also your well-being and self-esteem. In this case, it also does not do without serotonin.
After a positive thought arises in our head, serotonin processes this information, transfers it to nerve cells, after which our body begins to implement an action plan. If the thoughts are extremely negative, then serotonin is produced in very small quantities. If you are constantly in this state, then a very terrible disease can develop – schizophrenia.
What do you need to eat to feel happy?
Probably, each of us has heard that some foods can increase a bad mood. Judging by social surveys, sweet products are most often referred to as such well-known products. These products do not increase serotonin levels, because they work by releasing sugar into the bloodstream, and this does not have a very positive effect on our health. In large quantities, the “hormone of happiness” is found in dark chocolate and coffee.
Fruits such as banana, citrus fruits, figs, dates, and pineapples are more beneficial. Many people claim that there is a surge of joy after eating such delicacies. It is difficult to say whether this is true or a huge power of self-hypnosis.
When it comes to everyday foods, tryptophan is found in beans, millet, buckwheat, and tomatoes.
To saturate your body with the “happiness hormone”, it is not necessary to go over the mentioned foods. Scientists have proven that a person experiences happiness not only from eating food, but also from active movement, sports or dancing. These recipes work much more efficiently than just eating fruits.