" Everybody’s brain chemistry is different so different drugs work better on different people. "
Brain "anatomy" is unique from person to person as fingerprints differ from person to person.
- Dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced by the hypothalamus, a small region of the brain that helps you feel pleasure. ...
- Serotonin. ...
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A complex process occurs whenever you experience a thought or feeling. First, an electric signal in the neuron travels through the axon where molecules bind to receptor sites. A second neuron either accepts or rejects the signal. The first molecule can then take back some of the remaining molecules, a process known as reuptake.
The end result is what makes us experience emotions such as joy, laughter, happiness, sadness, anger, or enthusiasm.
__________________________What are happy chemicals?
Four main brain chemicals, dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins, all play a role in how you experience happiness.
- Dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced by the hypothalamus, a small region of the brain that helps you feel pleasure. It’s an important part in your reward system, meaning the brain releases dopamine when you do things that feel good or pleasurable or when you complete a task. Dopamine also helps with movement and motivation.
- Serotonin. Serotonin is another neurotransmitter produced when you feel satisfaction or importance. It also helps regulate your sleep, appetite and mood. Many anti-depressant medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) that help boost levels of serotonin.
- Oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland that produces feelings of love and connection. Also known as the cuddle hormone, the brain may produce oxytocin during sex or maternal behavior such as childbirth or breastfeeding.
- Endorphins. Endorphins are opioid peptides produced by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands that operate as neurotransmitters. They trigger positive feelings when you do something you enjoy such as having sex, laughing, or exercising. They also stimulate pain relief, which is the same reaction that occurs chemically when taking prescription opioids. The euphoric feeling endorphins produce helps mask pain.
________All it takes is a few simple tasks and basic planning to boost these chemical messengers.
For starters, eat well and incorporate exercise into your diet. A 20-minute workout or a light jog can help stimulate dopamine due to the pleasure you receive from accomplishing a feat. Exercising can also stimulate serotonin and endorphins by causing you to feel satisfied and enjoy the positive results of a workout.
Exercising primarily influences boosting endorphins, but remember to laugh, too.
A simple meditation can help boost serotonin. There are ways to achieve this even without physical activity. Self confidence can go a long way in stimulating serotonin. The feeling of believing in yourself will translate to others respecting you, which ultimately promotes serotonin production.
To boost dopamine, complete simple tasks that make you feel good or set a goal you can easily achieve. The simple fact of even approaching a reward will stimulate these neurotransmitters. This explains why seeing the finish line at the end of a race activates dopamine.
For oxytocin, give someone a compliment. You may not see this as building trust, but communicating with others — even strangers — in social settings can reward you with positive feelings. Being kind also can boost serotonin and dopamine.
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QUESTION:
Can there be a kind of feedback loop at play with depression?
1. Something happens to a person which strikes a blow triggering unhappiness, ill-health, etc.
2. Inactivity results
3. Diet changes
4. Brain chemistry CHANGES
5. Prescription drugs REPLACE the natural mechanism of the body/brain - and atrophy of natural production commences. (What you use develops - what you don't use trophies."
RESULT? Depression worsens and the ability to recover flags into a downward spiral.
IF THERAPY began with dramatic EXERCISE and DIET focus instead of DRUGS -
the "profit motive" of prescribing drugs would be impacted.
CAN WE NOW ASK: Is the Doctor/Pharma alliance (profit motive) contributing to
the outrageous proliferation of Depression among the population??
- We have too little to lose from giving EXERCISE, exposure to sunlight (Vitamin D), and healthy diet
a fair chance to improve Happiness vs. Depression
