by Kay Spare Login | Aug 1, 2025 | be well, mental health, mind-body, neurology, resilience, strategy, workingwithkids
As @thehappybraintrainer I help people empower their personal wellbeing and bite-sized chunks is so often the way to go!
So let’s go …
Neurochemicals are essential messengers in the brain that play a crucial role in regulating our moods, emotions, and cognitive functions. By learning how to influence the production of key neurochemicals, such as serotonin, GABA, oxytocin, dopamine, endorphin, and acetylcholine, we can nurture a healthier brain and cultivate a more fulfilling life.
There are said to be around 100 neurochemicals vital to our wellbeing, both for Survival and for Thrive, all ebbing and flowing in a multitude of combinations.
The 3 major stress chemicals are adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine and they help to power fight or flight reactions, which is important in appropriate situations, but we don’t want them to dominate the quality of our brain chemistry.
My super 6 neurochemicals are no more important than the other 94, but they are listed here because they are well know, easy for you to research, and easy for us all to influence.
Serotonin
Often referred to as the ‘happiness molecule’. Essential for self- esteem and feeling calm. Promote through relaxation, deep breathing e.g. Balloon Breathing, meditation, bath soaks, and diet (e.g. good quality 85% cacao chocolate and herbs such as St. John’s Wort**) |
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GABA
This is known as nature’s Valium since it regulates anxiety by blocking or inhibiting stress chemicals. It also helps to support bodily movement. Promote through whole foods and vegetables, fermented foods, and herbs such as chamomile* and lavender*. |
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Oxytocin
Known as the hug hormone, this is essential for social bonding. Mothers and newborn babies are flooded with oxytocin (nature is very smart). Promote through skin touch e.g. hand holding, hugs, massage, cooperative activities, and herbs such as chamomile* and lavender*. |
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Dopamine
The feel-good reward for taking action, sets up motivation circuits. Promote through novelty, music, sport, dairy, omega 3, nuts and protein rich foods. |
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Endorphin
Nature’s ‘high’ that provides an analgesic effect. Promote through walking, dancing, exercise and laughter. |
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Acetylcholine
Helps to support memory signals, especially through deep restorative sleep. Supports movements. Promote through choline foods (eggs, fish, meats and whole grains) and herbs such as sage* and rosemary*. |
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*I use herbal teas and essential oils to help prepare myself – or my environment – for the task ahead.
I may want to calm my nervous system (lavender or chamomile), liven it up (bergamot or lime), or help memory (rosemary or sage).
Note – This is not prescriptive; you should always consult a health professional or medical herbalist before making
dietary changes. ***St John’s Wort is known to interact with medication – please seek advice before using.
Did you know?
o Phytochemicals in lavender inhibit sympathetic nervous system & bind with GABA receptors.
o Phytochemicals in chamomile bind with GABA receptors.
by Kay Cooke | Jun 1, 2022 | next generation
Click here for preview video where I set the scene for what I’ll be talking about:
Introduction to The Happy Brain
by Kay Cooke | Jan 31, 2022 | next generation
Society talks a lot about mental and emotional health problems but talking is not enough – we need to do at least these two key things to drive change:
- Understand what is happening inside the brain to produce motivation/de-motivation and good decisions/bad decisions.
- Build new strategies for doing mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing and happiness rather than knowing about it!
Join us in Hexham, Northumberland, for the next LIVE 2-day Happy Brain training FEB 12 & 13, 10am – 4pm where you get to step inside the uniquely practical Happy Brain model and discover:
* ‘what’ happens during the processes of thinking
* ‘how’ the brain makes sense of its chemical signals we call emotions
* ‘why’ we need to pay attention to neurological patterns that guide our auto-pilot brains
Short promo video: https://youtu.be/KAbrBvZLOeQ
What previous delegates have said: https://youtu.be/fkttVCsLzIc
Website info & booking: https://thehappybrainco.com/product/happy-brain-online-training/
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