How to Increase Your Positive Mood with Natural Mood Enhancers and Boosters
We all have days where we don’t feel our best. But if you’ve been feeling sluggish and meh for a while, you might be looking for something to change that– a solution that doesn’t require a trip to a doctor. For some folks, mood boosters really do work wonders. And the good news is, they’re really effective, and safe for you, too. We share how mood enhancer supplements work and some of our favorite natural mood boosters, too.
What are Natural Mood Boosters?
Mood problems affect more than 60 million adults– and these numbers don’t affect those that haven’t been formally diagnosed, or that just occasionally worry or catch a bit of the blues. For depression alone, the annual cost of treatment, lost wages, appointments, and medication can be as high as 52 billion dollars. When you see these statistics, it’s no wonder that so many people are on the hunt for natural mood boosters to bring them back to a baseline.
Mood enhancer supplements are defined as over-the-counter (OTC) products that are designed to improve your feelings, thoughts, and overall well-being. You might find them marketed as “mood pills”, “brain supplements”, or nootropics. It’s important to remember that mood-boosting supplements are not a stand-in for medications and that if you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health condition, natural mood boosters are not a replacement for proven mental health treatments. It’s best to understand mood-enhancing supplements as general tools to help and support a happy, healthy, life.
Luckily, there are plenty of natural mood boosters, and mood-enhancing supplements, that bring tons of benefits to those that use them for treating occasional bouts of depression and anxiety. You’ll find a wide variety of natural plants, including St. John’s wort, Valerian, and lavender, as well as amino acids like SAMe, L-tyrosine, and L-theanine, that all have unique benefits that have been scientifically proven to help. You’ll find these natural mood boosters at your local pharmacy, in superfoods like kombucha and other sparkling beverages, and online, too.
How do Mood Enhancer Supplements Work?
So how do mood enhancer supplements actually work? Many natural mood boosters are scientifically proven to work, with lots of research surrounding their purported benefits. Most work by enhancing your body’s production of neurotransmitters, which are the chemicals involved in regulating your feelings and thoughts. The two most common neurotransmitters that are targeted may already sound familiar– serotonin and dopamine. These are thought to moderate your levels of happiness, anxiety, and emotional stability. When using natural mood boosters, you may experience a boost in the levels of one of these two chemicals, leading to a better state of mind.
Other mood enhancer supplements work by supporting your general cognitive health. You’ll find this with common food-based supplements or vitamins, like omega-3 fatty acids or vitamins that are linked to a reduced risk of cognitive impairment. Below, we share some of our favorite natural mood boosters to increase your energy levels and deal with general anxiety and depression.
6 of Our Favorite Natural Mood Boosters
1. St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort has been used in natural medicine for centuries, and for good reason. Today, it’s commonly used for sleep disorders, anxiety, and mild depression. It also shows potential in aiding those that have premenstrual syndrome and perimenopausal mood changes. You’ll find St. John’s Wort in capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, and teas, and it’s recommended that you should take it for at least one to three months to see the best effects.
2. Saffron
Saffron is more than just a fragrant spice. Numerous scientific studies have shown that saffron, known formally as the Crocus sativus plant, is a safe and effective natural mood booster. It works by increasing the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain and also modulating our natural stress response. Studies show that this mood enhancer supplement is safe to use with conventional antidepressants and may even offset some of their side effects.
3. 5-HTP
5-HTP, a natural mood booster extracted from the seed of the African plant Griffonia, Simplicifolia, is the direct precursor to serotonin, the key brain chemical that regulates our mood. 5-HTP also increases levels of natural endorphins and other neurotransmitters that are proven to boost our mood. 5-HTP has also been shown to be helpful for those that experience occasional binge eating, or sleep issues.
4. Creatine
Creatine is used for more than just building muscle. Creatine is a natural organic acid that plays an important role in maintaining our brain function, which has been thought to be involved in the development of depression. Studies show that this natural mood enhancer supplement takes on a protective effect, especially in women. You can find Creatine in powdered form at most supplement stores, and it’s considered generally healthy.
5. Oxytocin
Oxytocin, along with serotonin and dopamine, is known as a happy hormone. It’s the hormone behind life’s most pleasurable moments, positive emotions like trust and happiness, as well as sexual functions, too. It’s known to have a calming effect and has been scientifically proven to lower stress, anxiety, and build trust between yourself and those around you. You can find oxytocin in capsules or pheromone products.
6. Pheromones
Pheromones are often considered another natural mood enhancer supplement. Scientific studies have shown that these hero hormones can be used to help regulate or improve your general mood, aid in relaxation, and even reduce anxiety and decrease depression. Pheromones like oxytocin, the hormone we release after sex and life’s most pleasurable moments, are shown to increase a user’s overall well-being.
Pheromone products are also a helpful natural mood booster when it comes to intimacy, which is linked to overall happiness.
Your Home for the Best Natural Mood Boosters
Whether you’re single and looking for love, or are in a committed relationship and just want to ignite the spark again, using pheromone products is a great way to get things started - and Heaux Cosmetics has created an array of enticing and calming formulas that can help boost your mood with a simple spray or application.
Explore our favorite pheromone products and oxytocin formulas and experience the difference in yourself and those around you today.