Neurotransmitters (also known as 'feel good' chemicals) act as messengers in the brain, and catalyze mentally healthy thought patterns and behaviour. The production of neurotransmitters fluctuates throughout our day, along with our other hormones, and can change due to internal and external events, thoughts, and situations.
We cannot properly function without the production of neurotransmitters, and over time if we are not producing the right number of neurotransmitters (and an increase in stress hormones in their place) this can lead to serious health complications, including: Depression, anxiety, insomnia, IBS, panic attacks, eating disorders and disorderly eating, Fibromyalgia, O.C.D, adrenal dysfunction, chronic pain, migraines and headaches, and more.
Neurotransmitters keep us alive in many ways, in that they bring your attention to important information, and take you away from pain into pleasure. There are over 40 different types of neurotransmitters, the 4 main ones being: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins.
Each of these neurotransmitters function slightly differently and can be catalysed by participating and experiencing different things. Getting your 'Daily DOSE’ refers to intending to get the right amount of each of the four main neurotransmitters by engaging in activities or connection that encourage them to be produced.
So what is the purpose of the four main neurostransmitters?
Dopamine- Creates feelings of pleasure and reward and supports learning. It also helps motivation to meet goals etc.
Oxytocin- Helps with empathy, trust, bonding, and connection. Helps to build relationships, also known as the ‘love’ hormone.
Serotonin- Is a mood stabilizer, it creates a sense of calm, it helps self-acceptance and feeling significant amongst friends and family.
Endorphins – Help to deal with stress and pain, and our response to pain, which alleviates depression and anxiety.
How to get your DOSE of feel-good chemicals…
When serotonin is at a normal level, we feel more focused, emotionally stable, happier, and calmer. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression.
Many medications used to treat anxiety, depression and other mood disorders often target ways to increase the level of serotonin in your brain regulate a wide variety of processes including: emotions, fear, pleasure, joy, anger, mood, memory, cognition, attention, concentration, alertness, energy, appetite, cravings, sleep, and the perception of pain.
You can increase your serotonin levels by: taking in sunlight, doing exercise (especially types of excercise which you enjoy), getting a massage and taking cold showers.
You can prompt dopamine production by: meditating, experiencing hypnosis, setting and achieving goals, creating, music, art and journalling.
Oxytocin can be catalysed through: tactile touch, meditation, hypnosis, massage, getting enough sleep and connecting and socialising with people.
You can increase your endorphin levels by: spending time in sunlight, doing exercise, laughing and stretching your body.
When we have an increase in the production of neurotransmitters the neurons in our brain fire up and produce new connections. Our brain builds new neural pathways (thought patterns) which in turn hugely change our internal experience and external behaviour.
To find out more about how Hypnotherapy could help support you in your life, contact me for a free Initial Consultation at: lucy.collins@groundedchoicehypnotherapy.com
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