The hormone of happiness, the hormone of love, the hormone of pleasure… We usually hear these names of substances that our own body generates, but what are they, how do they arise and how can we stimulate them? In Practice we tell you.
First we need to understand which hormones we are talking about: oxytocin, dopamine, endorphin and serotonin.
Oxytoncin:
The first is directly related to childbirth and breastfeeding. In fact, the term derives its etymological origin from the Greek τόκος tokos (“birth”).
Oxytocin is a peptide that is produced in the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary. Apart from being related to motherhood, it is closely related to other functions which make it popularly known as the “love hormone”. Dr. Evelyn Benavides, neurologist at Clínica Dávila, illustrates: “It is called so because it has functions of regulating sexual arousal, trust, creation of emotional bonds.
This hormone increases, for example, when you hug a person or during orgasms. The Indisa clinic’s endocrinologist, Dr. Maritza Vivanco, highlights some of the effects of this hormone: “Oxytocin reduces stress and promotes the formation of bonds, since it would reduce anxiety in the interaction with others ; In addition, it would occur strongly in the first months of couple relations, favoring the phase of falling in love.
What behaviours, activities or habits generate oxytocin?
Dr. Benavides gives us some keys that we can integrate into our daily lives.
– “It has been found that, for example, having dinner with friends, seeing or talking with the mother, spending time with the children, hugging, petting the pet, receiving massages can increase the levels of oxytocin. It It has also been found that physical activity, practicing yoga and listening to music can increase it.
Dopamine:
Dopamine, generally called the “pleasure hormone”, is a neurotransmitter, that is, a substance that functions as a messenger in the nervous system and is released by the hypothalamus. Some of the functions of dopamine are behavior, reward – i.e. feeling positive when achieving a goal -, sleep, mood, attention, learning, and movement , among others. Its relationship with the latter is fundamental, which becomes evident when it is identified that dopamine deficiency is directly associated with Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Vivanco also comments that it is currently suggested that this hormone would have a role not only in the sensation of pleasure but also in the generation of motivation, that is to say “the desire to do something”.
What behaviors, activities or habits generate dopamine?
– Dr. Maritza Vivanco explains that the production of dopamine is stimulated by various pleasant activities, as well as by situations that cause surprise. Dr. Benavides also details: “In general, all activities that have strong emotions, such as skydiving; In addition, activity, meditation and a good diet can increase it. The specialist also specifies that certain dietary supplements such as curcumin and magnesium can make it go up.
Endorphin:
Endorphin is perhaps the hormone most often associated with pleasurable sensations, a substance the body releases to relieve pain and provide a state of well-being.
It is also a neurotransmitter, produced by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, which has a structure similar to that of morphine, hence its name.
When endorphin levels are high in a person, it increases feelings of happiness, “also decreases anxiety, improves mood, delays aging, improves immune function, and lowers blood pressure,” says Evelyn Benavides. Dr. Vivanco points out that “an anti-inflammatory role has also been postulated”.
What behaviors, activities or habits allow you to generate endorphins?
– Endocrinologist Maritza Vivanco points out: “It could be stimulated by exercise, dance, music, meditation, sex, consumption of dark chocolate (cocoa >70%) and acupuncture”, among others.
– Neurologist Evelyn Benavides adds that activities such as massages and laughter would add to this.
– Singing is also an action that would promote the increase of endorphins.
Serotonin:
Serotonin is also known as the “happiness hormone”, and this can be understood almost literally since, for example, in situations the absence or low level of this substance is linked to depression. In addition, it has a very relevant role in relation to the control of emotions, moods, weight regulation, sexual behavior, learning, memory and sleep cycles, among others. In addition, this neurotransmitter has the functions of controlling body temperature and motor activity.
What behaviours, activities or habits generate serotonin?
– Consuming foods such as eggs, bananas, nuts, broccoli, spinach, cocoa, and chia could help produce it.
– Have healthy sleep habits, sleeping the necessary number of hours at the right time.
– Do some physical activity.
– Practice mindfulness.
– Also, according to American neuroscientist Alex Korb, a simple way to increase serotonin in the body is to think of happy memories. He also posits that cuddling, sun exposure and aerobic exercise may help increase this hormone.
Source: Latercera
I’m Todderic Kirkman, a journalist and author for athletistic. I specialize in covering all news related to sports, ranging from basketball to football and everything in between. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, I have become an invaluable asset to my team. My ambition is to bring the most up-to-date information on sports topics around the world.
