The best natural mood enhancer
The best natural mood enhancer
Your mood depends on the neurotransmitters in the brain.
On the other hand, their concentration depends on internal and external factors.
Everything that happens in the environment, including food,
water and air quality, quality of life, stress factor and everything that has an emotional internal component
affects the level of neurotransmitters and therefore this levels of neurotransmitters have reflex on your mood.
The four key neurotransmitters that regulate how you feel are: serotonin, dopamine,
nor epinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid.
They are in a certain balance. They send stimulating or inhibitory impulses in the brain that change during the day depending on the need of the person.
To improve mood, an increase level of serotonin is required.5 hydroxytryptamine is a serotonin precursor.
Serotonin improves mood, anxiety and is beneficial in weight loss. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid that is the intermediate step between tryptophan and the important brain
neurotransmitter serotonin.
There is a lot of evidence that suggests that low serotonin levels are a common consequence of modern living.
The lifestyle and dietary practices of many people living in this stress-filled era results in lowered levels of serotonin within the brain.
What is GABA?
A non-essential amino acid found mainly in the human brain and eyes. GABA is referred to as the “brain’s natural calming agent”.
The best way to change brain chemistry is the safest, healthiest and the longest acting method – using natural whole foods and herbs.
The key to using herbs and foods to nourish healthy brain chemistry lies in knowing which specific brain
chemicals need to be enhanced or reduced, and what herbs and foods, activities and attitudes will do that.
Five excellent mood enhancers are the following:
Griffonia simplicifolia-
the Griffonia seeds contains a largest amount of the compound 5-HTP.5-HTP acts as a precursor to the synthesis of serotonin in your brain.
Since ancient time it has provided health beniffits especially in impoving mood and sleep.
When serotonin levels increase, feelings of anxiety and depression drop, feelings of well-being elevate, and you will have a good night’s rest.
This plant comes from central Africa and it has been established that the seeds of this plant have positive effects on health.
Griffonia seed has been shown to reduce stress and produce a sense of calmness, well-being, selfconfidence and improves sleep.
Griffonia seed into your diet can use in several way. One way is adding Griffonia seed extract powder to your morning coffee, smoothies, or night time tea. Another option is through
Griffonia seed capsules, where the recommended dose is taking one 100 mg pill per day.
Other alternatives include an oral spray.
Extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. (St John’s wort)
are now successfully competing for status as a standard antidepressant therapy.
Because of this, great effort has been devoted to identifying the active antidepressant compounds in the extract.
From a phytochemical point of view, St John’s wort is one of the best-investigated medicinal plants.
Researchers in Europe have studied St John’s Wort for decades.
They discovered a combination of elements in the plant, foremost of which is “hypericin”, react with specific chemicals in the brain to lowerd emotional discomfort, lift depression, and calm the nerves.
Working very much like the common synthetic prescription antidepressants natural extracts from St. John’s Wort have shown that tthe psyche is relaxed and soothed by them with minimal side effects.
Gotu Kola Leaf (Centella Asiatic)
Gotu Kola is highly reminiscent of the shape of the human brain.
After all, it has been revered for thousands of years for its ability to enhance cognitive function. This plant has been used for its health benefits for thousands of years in India and China.
This plant increased intelligence and cognitive functioning, rebuilds the nervous system and reduces anxiety and stress.
It is an extremely healing herb for the nervous system and has been shown to repair and restore axons which are used to transmit nerve impulses throughout the brain and body.
As such, it has been used as an anti-anxiety, anti-stress and anti-insomnia medicine throughout its long history of human use.
Many cultures still use the leaves as an herb in food. Recent studies have found the supplement to have a calming effect which can be beneficial in dealing with occasional anxiety and nervousness. Another way Gotu Kola Leaf may protect the brain and improve mood is by reducing the effects of free radicals.
Kava Kava —
Also known as piper methysticum, Kava is a plant primarily grown in the western Pacific.
Kava Kava is commonly used to provide relief for intermittent anxiety and occasional depressed moods, and this herb consumed as a drink by the indigenous people of the Polynesia. They dry out the roots or crush them into a powder
Then they add water and drink the mixture. It making you feel calm, and relaxed. The plant is also thought to relieve pain and relax muscles. It also improves anxiety,stress, problem with sleeping. Kava works in part byincreasing levels of GABA.
Oat Bran (Avena Sativa) —
Oat bran was once reserved for use as livestock feed.
Thankfully, it was finally recognized as one of the most important foods for good nutrition.
Oat bran is an effective mood booster because of its low glycemic index (GI), it slowly releases energy into the bloodstream, which helps keep blood sugar and mood stabilized.
Oats also contain the mood-boosting mineral selenium, which can help in keepining balanced brain levels of serotonin and overall well-being. Selen also aid in thyroid and immune function.