How to fill ourselves with serotonin, the hormone of happiness

You’ve probably already heard about serotonin and its benefits for the whole body. First of all, it is known as the hormone of happiness.

But do you know what serotonin is?

It is a neurotransmitter that is synthesized in the brain (but also in other tissues) from the essential amino acid tryptophan, which is a protein molecule that is taken in mainly through food.

In other words, it is a sedative substance that has a direct relationship with mood level and other bodily functions.

Increasing the level of serotonin in the body means increasing the feeling of well-being and general good mood. How do you do that?

Here’s everything you need to know to get your fill of serotonin.

As we have seen, serotonin is a neurotransmitter that, coming into contact with numerous receptors, performs various functions of great importance for the well-being of our organism.

From a physical point of view, this hormone is mainly involved in bone metabolism, appetite and sleep-wake rhythm regulation.

Specifically: it regulates the appetite, because it contributes to the feeling of satiety, regulates circadian rhythms, synchronizes the sleep-wake cycle, and also regulates the intestines and improves digestion.

But the best-known effects of serotonin are certainly those on mood and the psyche in general. On the other hand, we called it the hormone of happiness.

If serotonin is present at adequate levels, it creates a sense of satisfaction and well-being, while at the same time reducing anxiety and stress levels.

Considering the benefits that serotonin brings, its deficiency can – consequently – be associated with depression, panic attacks, insomnia, headaches, hypertension and anxiety.

Because of this, it becomes necessary to fill up with serotonin. Yes, but how?

For years, scientific research has questioned how to regulate the serotonin system, and the most common answer is: proper nutrition.

In fact, diet plays a fundamental role in the amount of serotonin in the body. Low-calorie foods, rich in tryptophan, but low in other amino acids, should be introduced.

Among other “tricks” to increase the hormone of happiness, it is recommended to do sports, which is an inexhaustible and natural source of serotonin, and exposure to the sun.

Food can make us happy. This is confirmed by science that has studied the relationship between certain foods and serotonin.

To increase the happy hormone, tryptophan, an essential amino acid found in some common foods, must be included in your diet.

There are various foods of this type: for example, some fruits, such as papaya, bananas and dates, and vegetables, especially those with green leaves because of their high content of vitamins and mineral salts.

Milk and milk products, such as yogurt and cheeses, also contain tryptophan, as do eggs and legumes.

Then blue fish, walnuts and whole grains and sugar in melted chocolate, “comfort food” par excellence.