How to Know if You Have Enough Happiness Neurotransmitters?
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Jonny Bowden

how to balance neurotransmitters e1570207803200
Brain Health, Focus, Healthy Lifestyle, Ingredients, Mood

Do you ever feel emotional or irritable for no reason? What about feeling anxious or worried? Do you struggle with being unfocused? All these can be linked to neurotransmitter levels being out of whack. Proper neurotransmitter balance is absolutely essential for optimal brain function. (1)

What Are the Happiness Neurotransmitters?

Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers released from neurons so that they can communicate to neighboring cells throughout your brain and body. While the exact number is not known, there are well over 100 neurotransmitters. (2) Here are the functions of three major “happiness neurotransmitters:”

SEROTONIN

Serotonin is known as the “don’t worry, be happy” soothing neurotransmitter. It plays multiple roles in the brain’s biochemistry including:

  • Facilitating sustained and deep sleep (3)
  • Maintaining a balanced mood (4)
  • Boosting self-confidence and social engagement (5)
  • Supporting a healthy appetite (6)
  • Decreasing worries and concerns (7)

Additionally, serotonin is associated with learning and memory. (8) Interestingly, although serotonin is manufactured in the brain, where it performs its primary functions, it is estimated that about 90% of our serotonin supply is found in the digestive tract and in blood platelets. (9)

DOPAMINE

Often called the “motivation molecule,” dopamine provides the drive and focus you need to be productive. Dopamine delivers a sense of satisfaction in our mind after accomplishing a task. It also is released when playing sports, learning something new, finishing a task or project, or getting the big promotion you wanted at work. (10) It is heavily involved with:

  • Attention span (11)
  • Focus (12)
  • Follow-through (13)
  • Motivation (14)
  • Motor movements (15)
  • The ability to experience pleasure (16)

GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID (GABA)

GABA is an amino acid that also functions as a neurotransmitter that is considered the brain’s main “calming” neurotransmitter. It is essential for brain metabolism and works to decrease neuronal activity and inhibit nerve cells from excess firing. (17)

Although GABA’s primary responsibility is to help regulate the activity of neurons, it is also very important for the maturation of new nerve cells (neurogenesis). (18) In addition, GABA has mild relaxation properties and can enhance mood and support sleep. (19)

Better Brain Chemistry = Better Quality of Life

Since your brain and life are inseparably linked, when your neurotransmitters are out of balance, you may experience difficulties in school, at work, at home, in relationships, or emotionally within yourself.

The brain is constantly seeking to keep itself balanced through increasing or decreasing amounts of these substances. (20)

NeuroLink 1

NeuroLink

BrainMD’s NeuroLink supports a diverse array of such key transmitters as adrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate. NeuroLink provides an exclusive blend of nutrients that can help you maintain a positive mood, keep your focus, and deal with stressful challenges by helping your neurotransmitters stay in balance.

NeuroLink delivers powerful brain-balancing ingredients:

    • 5-HTP – In the brain, 5-HTP is readily converted to serotonin to help maintain mental and emotional well-being, reduce anxious feelings, and promote calm and relaxation.
    • GABA – This amino acid regulates excitability of nerve circuits in the brain and is considered the brain’s main calming neurotransmitter.
    • Taurine – Taurine, an amino acid that helps stabilize our nerve cell electrical activity, is known to enhance GABA’s calming effects.
    • Tyrosine – Tyrosine is required for the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Having sufficient tyrosine in the brain promotes mental clarity in dealing with stress.

When your happiness neurotransmitters are balanced, you can think more clearly, feel happier, and experience greater well-being. Let NeuroLink support and promote balance in YOUR brain!

NeuroLink helped me feel a better sense of well-being. Great product! It helped me feel more emotionally balanced, calmer dealing with stress and my mood is better.” – Shirley

No more feelings of “fly off the handle” impatience and instant anger. Wow. Thank you. I got my life back.” – Paris

 

At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about NeuroLink and our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.

References:

1. Young SN. How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2007;32(6):394-399.
2. Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, et al. Neuroscience. 5th edition. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates; 2012.
3. Berger M, Gray JA, Roth BL. The expanded biology of serotonin. Annu Rev Med. 2009;60:355-366.
4. Meyer JH, McMain S, Kennedy SH, et al. Dysfunctional attitudes and serotonin synthesis in unmedicated depression. Am J Psychiatry. 2003;160(4):883-885.
5. Panksepp J. Affective neuroscience: The foundations of human and animal emotions. Oxford University Press; 1998.
6. Nemeroff CB. The neurobiology of depression. Sci Am. 1998;278(6):42-49.
7. Young SN. Serotonin’s role in anxiety. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2007;32(6):394-399.
8. Dunlop BW, Nemeroff CB. The role of serotonin in mood disorders. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007;64(3):327-337.
9. Berger M, Gray JA, Roth BL. Serotonin in the gut and its systemic effects. Annu Rev Med. 2009;60:355-366.
10. Montague PR, Hyman SE, Cohen JD. Computational roles for dopamine in behavioural control. Nature. 2004;431(7010):760-767.
11. Grace AA. Dopamine system dysregulation by the hippocampus: implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia. Neuropharmacology. 2016;107:126-135.
12. Farrant M, Nusser Z. Variations on an inhibitory theme: phasic and tonic activation of GABA(A) receptors. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2005;6(3):215-229.
13. Panksepp J. The Foundations of Human Emotions. Oxford University Press; 1998.
14. Erickson KI, Gildengers AG, Butters MA. Physical activity and brain plasticity in late adulthood. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2013;15(1):99-108.
15. Maddock RJ, Buonocore MH. MR spectroscopic studies of the brain in psychiatric disorders. Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2010;4:199-251.
16. Grace AA. The Role of Dopamine in Motivation. Neuropharmacology. 2016;107:126-135.
17. Farrant M, Nusser Z. GABA(A) Receptors and Brain Function. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2005;6(3):215-229.
18. Huang Y, Ferrell JE Jr. Ultrasensitivity in the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Cascade. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996;93(19):10078-10083.
19. Maddock RJ, Buonocore MH. The Role of GABA in the Brain. Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2010;4:199-251.
20. Panksepp J. Neurotransmitter Balance and Emotional Well-being. Oxford University Press; 1998.

Meet Our Expert

Jonny Bowden PhD, CNS

Jonny Bowden is a board-certified nutritionist and a three-time best-selling author. His many television appearances include Dr. Oz and the Doctors, and his books include “The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth”, “Living Low Carb” and “The Great Cholesterol Myth”. www.jonnybowden.com, @jonnybowden

Meet the Author

BrainMD Team, Writer

Recent Posts
, ,
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
TOP