Did you know that you can slowly sip your way to happiness? Try these happy teas that boost serotonin to make you feel happier. Yes, if you’re feeling the blues, sipping on tea can actually help! Scroll down to see 7 happy teas that boost serotonin naturally for a jovial you!
Serotonin is the ‘happy’ chemical. It is the star hormone for improving mood and create feelings of well-being and contentment within us.
But serotonin doesn’t only do that! It is a major hormone in our bodies necessary for proper communication between nervous system cells including brain cells.
It doesn’t stop there – serotonin also plays a role in sleeping, eating, digestion, bone health, anxiety management and reducing depression.
Now if the brain doesn’t have enough serotonin, it can cause depression. Low levels of serotonin cause you to feel emotionally unstable, have a low mood, be sad and generally gloomy.
No one in the world wants to feel these things! That’s why we are always in the quest for happiness or simply, contentment. One of the ways you can boost serotonin naturally is through drinking herbal teas!
Here are 7 teas that boost serotonin and can trigger your brain to feel happy, content and peaceful:
7 Happy Teas that Boost Serotonin
1. Chamomile Tea
Sometimes the process of making tea or relaxing over a cup of tea can be a stress reliever by itself! However, there is a certain herbal tea that is incredibly stress relieving and calming – chamomile tea!
Chamomile tea is made from the cute white flowers of the chamomile plant. It is popular as a bed time tea. This study demonstrates that chamomile tea showed a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms for those with moderate to severe symptoms in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Another reason why chamomile is one of the teas that boost serotonin is because it contains a chemical compound apigenin, which directly stimulates the brain’s neurotransmitters and receptors, inducing relaxation. This creates good feelings, contentment and happiness.
2. St. John’s Wort Tea
Research says that St. John’s wort extract is as effective as standard antidepressants and have fewer side effects than them. St. John’s wort tea is made from the flowers of the plant.
According to another research, St John’s wort is known to interact with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), in the same way as serotonergic drugs such as tramadol and citalopram, by further increasing the serotonin level in the brain.
However, if you are planning on taking St. John’s wort tea, please consult your doctor first as it may cause drug interactions. It is important to ask your doctor if you are already taking antidepressants or drugs that mimic serotonin because it may interact with these and cause undesirable effects.
3. Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm is another one of the teas that boost serotonin. This study shows that lemon balm extract increases cell proliferation, neuroblast differentiation and integration into granule cells by decreasing serum corticosterone levels as well as by increasing GABA levels.
GABA is a chemical messenger or class of receptors widely spread throughout the brain. It is believed to control the fear or anxiety experienced when neurons are overexcited. This means that it is beneficial in anxiety management. By increasing GABA levels, it thereby helps increase serotonin levels.
4. Green Tea
Green tea is one of the most well-known health teas on this planet. As such, it has been researched about greatly.
One study shows that drinking green tea increases serotonin (happy hormone) and dopamine (‘feel good’ hormone), both of which are needed to prevent depression and cause feelings of goodness.
5. Passionflower Tea
Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Passionflower tea is made from the dried petals of passion flowers that grow on the passion fruit plant. Since long ago, passion flower has been used to treat anxiety, sleep problems, pain, menopausal problems and more.
This study showed that drinking passionflower tea improved the quality of sleep which means it helps boost serotonin, since serotonin is one of the major hormones that help in sleep-wake rhythms.
6. Turmeric Tea
Turmeric is a golden yellow spice that originates from India. It contains a key chemical compound known as curcumin that is highly anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relieving). Turmeric tea is made from the knobbly turmeric roots.
Research shows that curcumin in turmeric may help reduce depressive symptoms and anxiety in people suffering from depression.
7. Ginseng Tea
Last but not least on this list of teas that boost serotonin is ginseng tea! Drinking ginseng tea, which originated from China, helps reduce high stress levels, quells anxiety, energizes a tired body and helps fight depressive feelings.
According to this study, panax ginseng, also simply known as ginseng, helped elevate moods and improved cognitive function in individuals when consumed.
You have reached the end of the article 7 Happy Teas that Boost Serotonin. Thanks for reading!
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