Natural Mood Enhancers: Serotonin and Endorphins
These Two Common Natural Enhancers are Often Mistaken for Each Other
Nov 6, 2009
Being able to live a more holistic lifestyle and promote feelings of well being within the self is easier to achieve than people might think. Many people are wanting to feel happier and they are wanting to do it in a natural way. There are different ways people can increase serotonin and endorphins within the body. It is a combination of these two components which are known as being natural mood enhancers that promoting a sense of well being.
Often, these two mood enhancers are used interchangeably with one another, but the fact is, these two "feel good" chemicals have similarities and differences. Below is the definition of serotonin and endorphins, as well as the difference between these two natural enhancers that occur within the human body.
What is Serotonin?
According to The Columbia Encyclopedia (2009), serotonin is a mood enhancer compound that is a neurotransmitter found within the human body. It has been noted that humans contain about five to 10 mg of this compound. Ninety percent is found within the intestines and the remainder is found within the brain. It has been said to help in functions such as sleep and learning and is a natural enhancer that impacts mood.
The MedicineNet.com website says that serotonin is a compound that "acts both as a chemical messenger that transmits nerve signals between nerve cells and that causes blood vessels to narrow."
People with depression are known for having a low serotonin level within the brain, which is why many people are put on certain types of anti-depressants. These anti-depressants are said to increase serotonin within the brain, which helps with an individual's feelings of well being.
What are Endorphins?
Endorphins are "feel good" chemicals that are known to be released during vigorous physical exercise. There are also reasons to believe that other types of mental stimulation trigger the release of endorphins.
According to the article, "Endorphins and Natural Stress Fighters," written by Melissa Conrad Stoppler, a medical doctor and writer for Medicine.Net, there is also speculation among researchers that certain types of mental stimulation, such as laughing, may also trigger the release of endorphins.
These neurotransmitters have a profound effect on mood and promote feelings of well being. They are also known for having pain relieving properties that are similar to drugs like morphine.
There are three different types of endorphins produced within the body, two of which are distributed throughout the central nervous system and one that is found within the pituitary gland.
Natural mood enhancers like endorphins are thought to be associated with feelings of euphoria, appetite control, and the release of sex hormones. It has been known that prolonged continuous exercise, release endorphins within the body and produces a feeling of euphoria, most often referred to as the runner's high (The Columbia Encyclopedia).
The Difference Between Serotonin and Endorphins
The difference between serotonin and endorphins is that serotonin is the neurotransmitter and a catalyst that promotes well being. Endorphins are the chemicals released during physical or mental stimulation that are natural enhancers that promote feelings of well being.
The more one knows about the difference between serotonin and endorphins and how these mood enhancers contribute to a person's mood and well being, the easier it is to find ways to incorporate strategies to live a happier more fulfilled life. This can be accomplished by incorporating natural methods to increase the low serotonin level in the brain and effective ways to release endorphins within the brain.
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