26/08/2026
Spot on! 👌
1. Dopamine — The Drive Chemical
Dopamine is about wanting, not liking. It fuels motivation, focus, and the pursuit of a goal. Low dopamine doesn’t feel like sadness; it feels like not being able to start.
Ways to support dopamine: exercise, protein-rich foods (tyrosine), and morning sunlight.
2. Serotonin — The Stability Chemical
Serotonin underpins mood balance, sleep, and a sense of security. When steady, you feel grounded; when low, everything can tilt toward irritability, worry, and rumination.
Ways to support serotonin: morning sunlight, regular exercise, and tryptophan-rich foods such as eggs, dairy, and turkey.
3. Norepinephrine — The Alertness Chemical
Norepinephrine is the brain’s focus-and-energy signal. It sharpens attention and helps you rise to a challenge. Too little and you’re foggy; too much and you’re wired. The sweet spot is feeling engaged.
Ways to support norepinephrine: exercise, brief cold exposure, and quality sleep.
4. GABA — The Brake
GABA is the brain’s main calming signal, quieting overactive circuits so you can switch off. When it’s low, the mind races and activation can tip into overwhelm.
Ways to support GABA: slow breathing or meditation, yoga and gentle movement, and moderating alcohol and caffeine.
5. Oxytocin — The Bonding Chemical
Released through connection, touch, and trust, oxytocin lowers stress and deepens the sense of safety with others. For the brain, connection isn’t a luxury; it’s part of regulation.
Ways to support oxytocin: physical touch, quality time with people you trust, and acts of kindness.
6. Endorphins — The Built-In Painkillers
Released by hard effort, laughter, and even singing, endorphins blunt pain and lift mood. This is one reason intense exercise can leave you feeling better than when you started.
Ways to support endorphins: intense exercise, laughter, and singing or music.
7. Acetylcholine — The Focus and Memory Chemical
Acetylcholine sharpens learning, attention, and memory encoding. It helps you lock in and absorb information.
Ways to support acetylcholine: deep single-task focus, quality sleep, and choline-rich foods such as eggs.
WHICH ONE DO YOU NEED MOST TODAY?
