Our Brains and Happiness

Science research has come up with two major findings in relationship to our brains and our emotions. The first is that unlike what was thought previously; it is found that emotions do not come for a single source that emits the emotions in the brain to the body.  It is found that different emotions stem from different sources in the body. Another noted find was that men and women's activity patterns in the brain and body vary in relation to their emotions. These patterns between men and women do not mirror each other they are distinct based on gender.

These things were found when fast imaging was done on various subjects that allowed the researchers to snap images when different emotions occurred in both men and women. These images have allowed researchers to draw new neurological maps depicting emotional activity. Previously it was believed that the limbic system, which is a ring of structures around the brain stem was the emotional center for humans. These snap images show that when emotion occurs activity occurs both in the limbic system and beyond to other parts of the brain and body. It was also noted that happiness and sadness are not registered the same way in the brain. Both have independent patterns of activity based on those two different emotions.

Emotions can be contributed by two sources; the chemicals the brain produce and the nutrition we take into our bodies. When we don't get the right nutritional intake it effects the chemicals our bodies produce including the ones associated with being happy. The brain chemical serotonin is a neurotransmitter or hormone which is produced in the brain. It is the neurotransmitters that carry messages between the nerve cells. The substance that produces serotonin in the brain is an amino acid tryptophan.

It is certain aminos in the body that causes us to have a feeling of well being. Serotonin is once such amino acid that helps us maintain a happy feeling. It also helps us control our moods by helping us with sleep, anxiety and depression. When our bodies don't produce enough serotonin we experience states of depression and anxiety.

It has been found that certain foods like bananas and turkey have  a specific protein which helps the body convert them to the chemical serotonin. It has been found that poor diets do contribute to depression as eating junk food because they do not help in the production of serotonin. 

A balance of chemicals in the brain and body is achieved when the diet contains a combination of complex carbohydrates and protein. 

Consume more carbohydrates than protein if you are nervous and wish to become more relaxed. Eat more protein than carbohydrates if you are tired and wish to become more alert. A depressed person who needs his spirits lifted would benefit from eating foods like turkey and salmon, which are high in tryptophan and protein.   

GLORIFY BODY MIND AND SOUL