Your body contains hormones that facilitate countless everyday bodily functions, including regulating emotions. You don’t notice the hormones at work. However, you will likely notice when they stop operating as normal due to changes in your emotions and mood.
In this article, we will explore hormones and their impact on mental health (including what you can do to treat the problem).
Different Types of Hormones and Neurotransmitters
Serotonin and Dopamine
Dopamine and serotonin are a special type of hormone known as neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters serve as chemical messages between cognitive activity and your body. While dopamine and serotonin are different chemicals that work slightly differently, they work together to operate as the “happy hormones”. Dopamine promotes the reward center of your brain, which induces pleasure. Serotonin helps regulate your emotions, but it’s also highly associated with gut health. Too little of either hormone can lead to depression or anxiety.
Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine is a hormone found in your brain known for managing your flight or fight response. It’s also associated with arousal. Too much norepinephrine can lead to anxiety. Too little can lead to fatigue.
Cortisol
Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone”. It emits from the adrenal glands above your kidneys when it detects stressful situations. It works by putting sugar into your bloodstream. Too much cortisol can make you feel irritable. Too little cortisol can leave you lethargic.
HGH
The human growth hormone (HGH) refers to a natural protein produced by our body in childhood that contributes to proper physical development. The body still creates HGH in adulthood to facilitate physical activity. Too much HGH can lead to aggression.
Estrogen
Estrogen is the female sex hormone responsible for several female reproductive functions. It also helps create a feminine physique. During menopause, estrogen levels will naturally deplete, which can lead to weight gain and emotional fluctuation.
Testosterone
Testosterone is the male sex hormone that helps men reproduce and perform in bed. It also helps create a male physique. Too little testosterone can lead to reduced muscle mass and a reduced libido.
Impact of Irregular or Depleted Hormone Levels
Declined hormone levels can contribute to several mental health conditions, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar
- Postpartum Depression
People suffering from reduced hormone levels may also experience fatigue, headaches, hot flashes, and additional physical symptoms.
Hormone Treatments
Healthy Diet
One of the best things you can do to increase hormone levels in your body is to follow a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet complete with all of your required nutrients encourages optimal internal functionality inside your body. While you need to get all of your nutrients, you should avoid foods high in fat and cholesterol. If your body fails to distribute oxygen, water, and nutrients throughout your body properly due to a clogged circulatory or digestive system, your body won’t be able to have what it needs to produce hormones at your normal rate.
Exercise
In the words of the great Elle Woods from the movie Legally Blonde, “Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don’t shoot their husbands.”
It turns out that Elle Woods was correct. When you exercise, you will release serotonin. Serotonin will give you a calm, pleasant feeling after your workout. You may also produce dopamine as a result of your accomplishment. Men will also produce HGH and testosterone when they work out.
Stress Relief
You can throw your hormones out of whack when you experience abnormal levels of stress. Your hormones help regulate stress. However, if you put too much demand on your stress hormones, they won’t be able to perform regularly.
Extra stress can occur as a result of emotional trauma or certain physical factors. Things can also feel more stressful as you get older and your body isn’t producing as many stress hormones during extreme change.
Some of the ways you can manage your stress include:
- Minimize stressors.
- Perform meditation and mindfulness sessions.
- Rely on your support system.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Attend therapy.
- Practice self-care. telugutechpro
Hormone Therapy
If natural methods don’t resolve the problem, you may need to look into a medical solution to low hormone levels.
Your doctor will start with a physical examination, including a test of your hormone levels. Your demographics, physical condition, and test results will help you and your medical professional develop a successful treatment plan.
Hormone therapy is common in both men and women as they reach the end of their reproductive years. However, each gender requires something different. Estrogen therapy for women is designed to improve bone strength, manage hot flashes, and cure vaginal dryness. Hormone therapy for men (which consists of testosterone and HGH) is designed to increase muscle mass and increase libido.
The HGH results timeline can take up to six months to produce the desired results. Therefore, it’s important for both men and women to commit to the treatment plan even if it takes some time to work. However, you should stop hormone therapy and tell your doctor if you experience alarming or debilitating side effects.
Conclusion
Maintaining your hormone levels should be part of your regular health routine, especially as you age. Proper hormone levels can help you feel healthy and vibrant. More importantly, it will make you feel emotionally content and stable.
