How Does the Brain Impact Mental Health?

The brain is an incredibly complex organ that responds to all of the inputs and outputs of day-to-day life. Every second, there are hundreds of thousands of chemical reactions in the brain that enable the body and brain to respond to what is happening both outside and inside the body. Taking time to understand what chemicals influence the brain and how you might be able to promote a healthy brain will lead to a better quality of life.

Chemistry

The three most commonly discussed brain chemicals are dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. Dopamine is the chemical that is associated with reward-seeking behavior. Serotonin is known as the happy chemical that can help contribute to your happiness and wellbeing. Norepinephrine mobilizes the body and brain for action.

More than 80% of doctors believe that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. There is no doubt that chemicals in the brain do play a part in anyone’s mental health, but there is an important distinction to make. Depending on the person, your depression or other mental illness may not be caused by a chemical imbalance.

Other Factors

Depression and mental illness are very complicated and complex diseases that even the top researchers in the world do not fully comprehend. These diseases can be brought on by a chemical imbalance, but many other factors as well. Psychosocial causes, such as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), can lead to a wide variety of mental illnesses.

There are several natural remedies that can help promote a healthy brain. Exercise is a great way to increase the amount of dopamine present in the brain and can help lift your mood. Eating healthy foods is another way to promote good mental health. Your body and mind both crave food with a lot of nutrients to be able to create the necessary chemicals to promote good mental health.

Necessary Medication

It should be noted that natural remedies do not work for every patient. If there is a chemical imbalance in a patient’s brain, there are medications and treatments that can make a real difference in their quality of life. There are people whose brains simply do not produce enough dopamine or serotonin no matter how much they exercise or eat healthy.

Talk to a healthcare professional about your mental state and what you specifically can do to improve it. They can develop a plan that is specific to your health and mental state. Every patient is unique and a medication or form of therapy will not work for everyone. There is hope no matter how desperate your case might seem.