dopamine: sense of pleasure
Posted inHealth Blog

Dopamine: The pathway to pleasure

Dopamine can provide an intense feeling of reward. Dopamine is most notably involved in helping us feel pleasure as part of the brain’s reward system. Sex, shopping, and smelling pie baking in the oven can all cause dopamine release, often known as a "dopamine rush."This feel-good neurotransmitter also plays a role in reinforcement. That is why, after tasting one of those pies, we may return for another (or two, or three). Dopamine's darker side is…
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endorphin: pain reliever
Posted inHealth Blog

Endorphins: The brain’s natural pain reliever

Endorphins can also release stress and create a feeling of well-being. The body's natural painkillers are endorphins. Endorphins are peptide hormones released by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in reaction to pain or stress. They relieve pain while also creating a general sense of well-being. The term "endogenous morphine" inspired the naming of these hormones. They're called "endogenous" since they're made in our bodies. Morphine is the name of the opioid painkiller that they imitate.…
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mother and child-oxytocin
Posted inHealth Blog

Oxytocin: The Love Hormone

Oxytocin can help us bond with loved ones and can be released through touch, music and exercise. Oxytocin is a hormone that’s produced in the hypothalamus, which is then released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland.Its primary function is to promote childbirth, which is one of the reasons it is called the "love drug" or "love hormone." Oxytocin causes the contraction of uterine muscles while also increasing the production of prostaglandins, which also intensify…
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CERTAIN BLOOD PRESSURE DRUGS ASSOCIATED WITH BETTER MEMORY
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CERTAIN BLOOD PRESSURE DRUGS ASSOCIATED WITH BETTER MEMORY

The blood-brain barrier shields the brain from toxic substances. While some medications are able to cross this defensive wall and cause memory problems, some medications for the treatment of high blood pressure appear to be linked with better cognitive function. In a study published in the August 2021 issue of Hypertension, researchers assembled information from 14 observational studies of nearly 12,900 adults ages 50 years and older with high blood pressure. It looked specifically at…
ARE YOU HAVING FREQUENT MIGRAINES? FATTY FISH MAY OFFER SOME COMFORT
Posted inArticles Health Blog

ARE YOU HAVING FREQUENT MIGRAINES? FATTY FISH MAY OFFER SOME COMFORT

People who suffer from chronic migraines could find relief by eating more of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) found in fatty fish like salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel, and trout.A clinical trial in the July 3, 2021, issue of The BMJ involved 182 people who averaged about 16 headache days per month with attacks lasting more than five hours each.Study participants were randomly assigned to one of three diets: One…
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