MOOD, FOOD and DOPAMINE – part 2

MOOD, FOOD and DOPAMINE – part 2

More than 100,000 chemical reactions go on in your brain every second! The brain is also a radio transmitter, which sends out measurable electrical wave signals. In fact the brain continues to send out these signals for as long as 37 hours after death!

Last time I talked about the Pleasure homone ‘Dopamine’ and how it controls our mood. There are three more such hormones which are responsible for our mood, feelings, empathy etc and they are Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphins. Today we will discuss about two of these.

A HORMONE THAT MAKES US HUMAN, MAKES US GENEROUS:

Oxytocin is secreted from the pituitary gland. It has a major role in social behaviour, like ‘bonding’ in many species, including humans. In a study, it is found that both in humans and in dogs, oxytocin levels rose after five to 24 minutes of a petting session. This is possibly the reason why humans and dogs are such great pals. Increase in Oxytocin also increases the sexual receptivity.

Oxytocin is a hormone that initiates maternal behaviour. It is higher in mothers when they interact with unfamiliar children rather than their own. It prepares the foetal neurons for delivery. Mother’s oxytocin reaches the foetal brain and switches the action of neurotransmitter, which in turn silences the foetal brain for the period of delivery and reduces the risk of damage due to deprivation of oxygen. Also high levels of oxytocin is related to romantic attachment. It is Oxytocin that may aid romantically attached couples by decreasing their feelings of anxiety when they are separated. When we hug or kiss a loved one, oxytocin levels drive up. One of the great things about oxytocin is that you can fix anywhere and at any time. All you need to do is simply hug someone or shake their hand. The simple act of bodily contact will cause your brain to release low levels of oxytocin — both in yourself and in the person you're touching.

MDMA or Ecstasy

This particular pleasure hormone develops tolerance towards various addictive drugs like, cocaine, alcohol and reduces withdrawal symptoms, where as MDMA commonly known as ‘Ecstasy’ may increase feelings of love, empathy and connection to others by stimulating Oxytocin activity via activation of serotonin. Well, that does not give a lead to try ‘Ecstasy’ and get addicted!!

SEROTONIN

Serotonin is also known as the happy hormone. It seems to help keep our moods under control by helping with sleep, calming anxiety, relieving depression. It is important for our memory and learning, temperature regulation, and some social behaviour. Research says, it might also have a role in anxiety, migraine, vomiting and appetite. About 80% of our body's total serotonin is in the gut, where it controls intestinal movements, that is why it controls our appetite. Rest of it is in the central nervous system and blood platelets.

The body’s natural urge is to have positive feelings and humans will do anything to get that rush. The object of the game is to find the best way to maximize the natural high and push the body's limits without jeopardizing the individual's delicate, natural balance needed for survival. And what would be better than the natural ways to get that high?

Next time, we will discuss about the last celebrated Pleasure hormone, ‘The Endorphin’ and the kind food and way of life one should have, that will create the natural balance of these ‘The Pleasure Hormones’ , to lead a happy healthy life.