Thanks to much research on intestinal health in recent years, we know that intestinal health is closely related to brain health today. So much so that the intestine is now called the “second brain”. But how deep does the metaphor take us? Do you know about mood boosting supplements that enhance the relationship between our gut and brain? We will learn answers to all of these questions in this article.
The nervous system that provides the relationship of the intestines with the central nervous system is called the enteric nervous system (ENS). There are approximately 500 million neurons in this system. The enteric nervous system, just like the brain, has an impact on our behavior and spiritual balance. They both work independently and affect our behavior with the signals it sends to the brain via the vagus nerve. The beginning of the enteric nervous system is the esophagus and the end is the anus.
There is communication between the brain and the gastrointestinal system through a two-way pathway. 40,000 types of bacteria and approximately 100 trillion microorganisms live in the gut. This is 10 times more than the total number of cells in the human body. This microorganism community in the intestine is called “Microbiota” for short. It is claimed that the microbiota communicates with the brain through various mechanisms as well as having a role in the development of many neuropsychiatric and metabolic disorders, especially autoimmune diseases.
Bidirectional brain-gut communication has an important role in the regulation of gastrointestinal functions such as motility, secretions, blood flow, intestinal permeability, immune activity, and feeling pain. Intestinal microbiota plays an important role in cerebrospinal communication. 90 percent of serotonin, known as the happiness hormone, is in the digestive system. It is also home to a nervous system network consisting of approximately 100.000.000 nerve cells located in two layers.
How can mood boosting supplements help?
The number of nerve cells in the enteric nervous system is close to the number of nerve cells in the brain. ENS releases neurotransmitters that affect our emotions and behavior. Its primary job is to regulate the movements of the digestive system and the release of hormones, enzymes, and various secretions involved in the digestive process. It does not need the brain to do this, but it is in constant communication with the brain.
90 percent of the neural communication pathways between the brain and the digestive system are the pathways that carry the stimuli from the digestive system to the brain. In other words, our digestive system almost bombards our brain with a warning. These impulses are filtered in the lower parts of the brain, and we only feel a part of them. If there was no filter system, we would perceive every bowel movement as pain.
There are also blood-borne communication signals between the brain and digestive system. There is an astonishing similarity between the brain and the digestive system neural network in terms of cell biology. There are 30 different neurotransmitters in the digestive system nervous network.
Mood boosting supplements contain psychoactive substances such as serotonin, dopamine and opiates, which affect our brain and psychological state. 90% of serotonin is in the digestive system. This is why you tend to eat certain foods when stressed or unhappy. We naturally produce these agents that will make us happy in the body naturally through consuming some mood boosting supplements.
Top 5 natural mood boosting supplements
1. Ginseng
Ginseng has been an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine. The root can be eaten raw or steamed but is also available in other forms such as tea, capsules, or pills. According to studies ginseng can improve cognitive skills and help regulate emotions. Many animal and test-tube studies show that these benefits may be due to ginseng’s ability to increase dopamine levels.
It has also been suggested that certain ingredients in ginseng, such as ginsenosides, are responsible for the increase in dopamine in the brain and its beneficial effects on mental health, including cognitive function and attention. A study on the effectiveness of Korean red ginseng against attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children observed that low dopamine levels were associated with ADHD symptoms.
2. Curcumin
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric. Curcumin comes in capsule, tea, extract, and powder forms. It is thought to have antidepressant effects as it increases dopamine release. Here’s a quite interesting fact: a study has shown that taking 1 gram of curcumin had similar effects to Prozac on mood improvement in people with depression!
3. Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is an herb native to China that has been used as a remedy for various health conditions for hundreds of years. Similar to ginseng, ginkgo biloba could also improve cognitive function and support mood regulation by increasing dopamine levels.
4. Probiotics
In addition to all their benefits on our digestive wellness and overall health, probiotics may also support a healthier brain and foster better emotion regulation. More recent research suggests that they may also affect our psychological health, the gut-brain axis. Although the research is in its early stages, probiotic bacteria are now believed
to have indirect effects on our brains by regulating serotonin production in the gut wall. In fact, although harmful gut bacteria have been shown to reduce dopamine production, probiotics have the ability to increase it, which can boost mood.
A study in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) found that those who took probiotic supplements had a reduction in depressive symptoms compared to those who took a placebo.
5. HTP
5-Hydroxytryptophan or 5-HTP is an amino acid found naturally in the body that can be converted to melatonin, which helps regulate the sleep cycle, as well as serotonin, which regulates mood. 5-HTP seems to improve the structure of your sleep by extending the time you spend in REM sleep where your brain processes memories. Getting adequate REM sleep is essential for feeling energized during the day and this will inevitably affect your mental state and ability to perform daily tasks.
If you’re looking to build new habits and enhance your health, then it’s time to start thinking about what you should be doing differently in your life. The good news is that there are many ways to make changes to your lifestyle that can improve your health and lead to better overall wellness. If you want to learn how to live a healthier lifestyle, download wannawell app for free.
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