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Scientists Reveal The Link Between Genetics and Mental Illness

January 28, 2018 by Power of Positivity

What causes mental illness?

The causes of mental illnesses are a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Scientists have long since eliminated character defects or personal weakness as legitimate causes of mental illness.

Regarding the coping and recovery process, it is also not a matter of “sucking it up” or “pushing through,” despite what some uninformed individuals say; nor is coping and recovery a matter of self-discipline or willpower.

While it is believed that our biology, environment, genetics, and psychology influence – to some extent – the onset of mental illness, genetics (heredity) seems to correlate the strongest. That is, developing a mental illness from parental genes is more likely than through biological, environmental, or psychological experiences.

Scientists Explain The Link Between Genetics and Mental Illness

Heritable Mental Illnesses

“Most psychiatric disorders are highly heritable; the estimated heritability for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism (are) 80 % or higher … much higher than that of diseases like breast cancer and Parkinson’s disease.” – Burmeister, M., McInnis, M.G. & Zöllner, S.

Prior research has shown a relatively high heritability rate for the following mental illnesses:

Alcohol dependence
Anxiety disorders
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Autism and autism spectrum disorders
Bipolar disorder
Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa)
Major depressive disorder (MDD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Schizophrenia

Per a study published in Nature Reviews, the estimated heritability for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and autism are between 75 to 90%, which is much higher than that of breast cancer (5-60%) and Parkinson’s disease (13-30%).

Mental Illness Symptoms and Rates of Heritability

Alcoholism

Alcohol dependence records a heritability rate of 50-60%, affecting around 5% of the population. The disorder is characterized by persistent problems involving tolerance, psychological cravings, and behaviors centered around alcohol use or its consequences. Alcohol dependence has an age of onset around the mid-twenties.

Anxiety and Panic Disorders are Among the Most Common Mental Illness

Anxiety disorders are quite common, with a prevalence rate of nearly 30%. Every diagnosed case of clinical anxiety involves a “heightened sense of arousal or fear.” Physical symptoms include rapid heartbeat and sweating; with psychological symptoms centering around worry and fear.

Panic disorder, defined as “debilitating anxiety and fear that arises frequently and without reasonable cause” has a heritability rate of around 50%.

Childhood Mental Illness

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms include impaired attention capabilities and inappropriately-high levels of activity in quiet places, at work, or at school. Childhood ADHD is often marked by impulsivity, interruptive behavior, and constant fidgeting.

The prevalence of ADHD is around 8%, with an inheritability rate of 60-90%.

Autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a category of development delay disorders observed before age 2. Communication difficulties and engaging in repetitive behaviors are typical of autism and ASD patients. Symptoms of autism and ASD in toddlers include: not using gestures, withdrawal, loss of verbal or social skills, not using single words by 16 months or two-word phrases by 24 months, and not walking.

The heritability rate for autism and ASD is high – around 90%. The disorders are rare, with autism prevalence at .04% and ASD at .8%.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, also referred to as manic-depressive disorder, involves periods of mania and severe depression. Manic symptoms include compulsive fluctuations in energy, mood, and rates of thought and speech. Depressive symptoms mirror those of MDD, which are described below.

The onset of bipolar disorder (BP) occurs during late teens or early adulthood. The heritability rate of BP is between 60-85% and affects approximately 1% of the population.

Eating disorders, consisting of anorexia nervosa (AN), and bulimia nervosa (BN), have an early average age of onset: in the early to mid-teens. Heritability rates are around .6% and 1%, respectively.

Signs of AN include low body weight, an intense fear of weight gain, and a disordered body image (overweight). People with AN may restrict food intake or resort to self-induced vomiting or diarrhea.

BN signs include episodes of regular and recurrent binge-eating and loss of control of eating behavior. Feelings of severe guilt follow the episodes. During those times someone may self-induce vomiting, abuse laxatives, or engage in prolonged periods of intense exercise.

Mental Illness: Depression and Personality Disorders

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) symptoms include severely depressed mood, extreme lack of energy and motivation, feelings of guilt, and pessimistically-inclined disturbances of thought.

The age of onset for MDD typically ranges from mid-twenties to mid-forties, with around 17% of the population affected at some point. The heritability percentage for MDD is approximately 40%.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a subtype of anxiety that includes intrusive, reoccurring, and repulsive thoughts. Also, these couple with habitual behaviors. The prevalence rate of OCD is around 1.5% and is inherited 60-70% of the time. The typical age of onset is 19 years. However, it may occur later.

Schizophrenia falls into the diagnostic category of severe psychosis and includes the subtype classifications catatonic, disorganized, or paranoid. The clinical hallmarks of acute (short-term) schizophrenia include delusions and interference with thought processes. Chronic schizophrenia is the primary phase of the illness and is marked by apathy, lack of motivation, and social isolation.

Schizophrenia develops in the late teen and early adulthood years; has a heritability rate of 70-85% and affects about 1% of the U.S. population.

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

Source:
Burmeister, M., Mcinnis, M. G., & Zöllner, S. (2008). Psychiatric genetics: progress amid controversy. Nature Reviews Genetics, 9(7), 527-540. doi:10.1038/nrg2381

7 Reasons to Try Activated Charcoal

January 28, 2018 by Power of Positivity

What is ‘activated charcoal’?

No, activated charcoal is not the same stuff used to heat the backyard grill!

Activated charcoal is among one of the biggest natural health crazes – and for a good reason. Also called activated carbon or active charcoal, it is fine black powder made from bits of bone char, coconut shells, coal, olive pits, peat, petroleum coke or sawdust.

The charcoal undergoes a very high-temperature heating process which alters the coal’s internal structure. Molecular changes in the charcoal result in a product that is more porous and absorbent.

Why do people use activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal is incredibly absorbent; a property that allows it to trap toxins and chemicals from damaging the body. As the body does not absorb activated charcoal, it effectively traps toxins and gases, which exit the body as feces.

Because of its toxin-binding properties, activated charcoal has numerous medical uses. Perhaps it’s most well-known application is as a poison antidote; treating prescription drug overdoses, as well as overdoses of over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and sedatives.

Here are 7 other reasons to try activated charcoal

1. Teeth Whitener/Oral Health

Activated charcoal whitens teeth and promotes oral health by changing the acidity levels (pH) in the mouth. The product also freshens breath while preventing cavities and gum disease.

It works to whiten teeth by absorbing bacteria and plaque that stain teeth. Consuming certain foods and beverages, including berries, coffee, tea, and wine, can also stain the teeth.

2. Relieves gas and bloating

In a study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, scientists conducted a double-blind experiment on two population groups in the United States and India. (The two countries were chosen solely for the fact food differences vary considerably.)

Measuring breath hydrogen levels to measure amounts of gas produced in the colon, “activated charcoal significantly reduced breath hydrogen levels in both groups.” The scientists conclude that abdominal cramps and bloating are both significantly reduced by activated charcoal.

3. May help lower blood alcohol levels

Because of its extraordinary absorbent properties, activated charcoal can help eliminate toxins that contribute to alcohol poisoning. Further, some studies show that when someone consumes the charcoal immediately before drinking, it helps to regulate the body’s blood-alcohol levels.

Active charcoal is so efficient in relieving the physical effects of alcohol that it is often the first used when a person is unconscious or showing signs of acute poisoning.

4. Water filtration

Activated charcoal helps remove impurities in water. Some substances that active charcoal efficiently neutralize include chlorine, sediment, volatile and organic compounds. (It doesn’t adequately remove minerals, salts or dissolved inorganic compounds.)

Activated charcoal may also improve the taste and smell of water. Per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): “Activated carbon is commonly used to absorb natural organic compounds, taste and odor compounds, and synthetic organic chemicals in drink water treatment … (it) is an effective absorbent because it is a highly porous material and provides a large surface area.”

5. May reduce cholesterol levels

Activated charcoal appears to be effective in binding cholesterol within the gut and preventing absorption. In one study of patients diagnosed with high cholesterol, researchers note that plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol fell by 25% and 41%, respectively. HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels increased by 8%.

A second study reduced LDL cholesterol by 29-41% in those with high cholesterol levels.

6. May promote kidney health

In a study published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, researchers concluded that activated charcoal was successful in removing urinary toxins in rats. Additionally, rats with induced chronic renal failure (CRF) showed improvements in kidney health following an activated charcoal regimen.

A second study, published in the Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation, found that combining an oral activated charcoal treatment with a low-protein diet improved end-stage renal disease symptoms.

7. Reduces symptoms of Fish Odor Syndrome

A genetic condition known as trimethylaminuria (TMAU), or fish odor syndrome, causes the body to accumulate a fishy-smelling substance called trimethylamine (TMA).

Whereas healthy individuals convert TMA into a different chemical before excreting it via urination, people with TMAU do not. As a result, TMA builds up in the body, with only minimal amounts expelled in urine.

In a study published in the journal Life Sciences, researchers found that “the daily intake of charcoal and/or copper chlorophyllin may be of significant use in improving the quality of life of individuals suffering from TMAU.”

Final Thoughts on Activated Charcoal:

Many health claims surrounding activated charcoal are anecdotal and require additional research. You can try it as a supplemental, not a standalone, alternative treatment.

Although activated charcoal is safe for most individuals, certain medical conditions may inhibit it’s usefulness or produce undesirable side effects. Medical conditions that may cause complications include intestinal blockages, abdominal bleeding, poor digestion, or recovery from surgery. Activated charcoal may disrupt the absorption of medications, nutrients, and supplements.

When purchasing activated charcoal, make sure to look for fine, highly purified products. Coconut charcoal is a favorite among users because of its ease of digestion and very few side effects. As with any medication or supplement, please make sure to follow dosage recommendations carefully.

10 Things Alpha People Need In A Relationship

January 28, 2018 by Power of Positivity

What is an Alpha personality?

If there is one thing glaringly apparent about Alpha folks, it’s their unabashed proclivity to tell it like it is. There’s no “uhm,” “hmm,” or “yeah, but” anywhere in their vernacular.

It’s not that Alpha folks are more “tough” than anyone else, (though they may be at times); it’s that they have a keen and almost stubborn sense of right and wrong. When they “set things straight,” Alphas don’t like where the conversation or situation is heading (hence, the quote above.)

In their book Engineering the Alpha, authors John Romaniello and Adam Bornstein list seven character traits of the Alpha personality:

Helpful; but not condescending
Confident; but not cocky
Vain; but not conceited
Prideful; but not arrogant
Humble; but not self-loathing
Tolerant; but not weak
Dedicated; but not obsessed

Do the abovementioned traits carry implications for relationships? Absolutely.

In fact, here are ten things Alpha people need in a relationship:

“If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation.” ~ Donald Draper, ‘Madmen’

1. Stability

If you call an Alpha and cancel at the last second, you better have a dang good excuse. Alpha people cannot stand those who don’t keep their word; in fact, it isn’t unheard of for them to shut someone out who breaks a promise and fails to give a good reason why.

2. Organization

Alphas are highly-organized in every area of their life – work, personal, and otherwise. They are not okay with disorder of any kind, particularly in relationships.

But, don’t we all let things get messy once in a while? Of course, we do! Once in a while.

3. Ambition

Having some goals certainly puts you in good graces with Alphas – because they’re always striving for some personal aim. Being driven is more about self-respect than it is success; though Alphas tend to be successful in what they set out to do.

In short, better have some drive when you ‘get in’ with an Alpha.

4. Candor

In case you don’t know by now, Alphas are direct individuals. They don’t beat around the bush about anything. If you have something to say, it’s best to come forward and say it.

Personality type aside, this is something we should all embrace in our relationships.

5. Spontaneity

For all of their strengths, Alphas have some weaknesses too: their near inability to sit still, for one. Alphas tend to be very spontaneous and adventurous – almost to the point of mania. While this can be fun and exciting, us more relaxed folk may not be particular fans of the Sunday afternoon “Get up! Get up!” “Let’s go! Let’s go!”

6. Humor

Alphas can be just as funny – if not funnier – than anyone else. On the other hand, their mind is probably going 200 miles a minute trying to figure something out. If you can deliver a good dollop of humor during stressful moments, you may just turn out to be an Alpha’s soulmate.

7. Shared responsibility

The first question an Alpha will often ask themselves about a potential partner: “Is he/she self-sufficient?”

If not, you can pretty much forget it. This isn’t something to be taken either lightly or personally. Alphas, as with many others, work incredibly hard for what they have – and the thought of someone not contributing is unconscionable.

8. Respect

A no-brainer, right? Alphas, like pretty much everyone else, want a partner that respects them and their decisions. You can bet that they will respect yours. Of course, the respect thing applies to every aspect of life: boundaries, family and friends, opinions, speech, work, and so on.

9. Energy

Alphas are not easily worn down. As such, it can be exhausting to keep up with one in a relationship that is almost certain to be high-speed. The chances are that there will always be something that needs doing, and they will attack the job. But they need a partner who will commit to sharing the workload.

All of this requires a steady supply of personal energy.

10. Restraint

Alphas are generally highly-disciplined individuals. Like everyone else, they feel the whims and tugs of instant gratification, but they rarely give into them. Successful relationships – a successful life – requires personal restraint.

How to Let Go And Forgive Someone Who Doesn’t Say Sorry

January 28, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Forgiving someone doesn’t always have to be about the other person. When we forgive people, it’s mostly for ourselves and our own peace of mind. “Whether you realize it or not, if you hold on to resentment, you’re living in the past. When we’re fully present today, now, there is no past or future. And nobody’s making us feel bad,” says confidence coach and columnist Susie Moore.

When we forgive someone, it’s usually because they’ve already sought forgiveness from us. But what about when that never happens? What about the people who don’t say “I’m sorry”? Most people would think that they don’t deserve forgiveness, and continue carrying that hurt and pain with them. But there are ways for us to take steps to forgive them anyway. Not just for them, but for ourselves as well.

Here Are 6 Ways To Let Go And Forgive Someone Who Doesn’t Apologize

“Forgive, forget. Bear with the faults of others as you would have them bear with yours.” – Phillips Brooks

1. Focus on yourself rather than others

Forgiving seems to be about absolving the other person of wrongdoing. However, once you flip the focus from other people onto yourself, you’re now learning to heal from within. Allowing yourself to focus on how you feel and what’s best for you will make forgiving someone for your own peace of mind much easier.

“When you decide to forgive someone, you are essentially liberating yourself from the anger and resentment caused by whoever has hurt you. It’s a decision to learn from the betrayal, see your part in it (if there was any) and move on after you’ve processed your feelings sufficiently,” says Dr. Amy Wood.

It only hurts us to hold onto grudges, and the grudges of those who don’t seek forgiveness are often the worst. You’re the only person who should matter when it comes to who and what you have control over.

2. Take responsibility for your feelings

Other people only have so much power over you. While their words and actions can have an effect on us, ultimately, we are in control of our own feelings and behaviors. Taking responsibility for our own feelings is a way to stop blaming others for how we feel, and start moving past those negative feelings. When we stop feeling hurt by others, we lose both the blame and judgement that keeps us trapped by our grudges.

“By changing the way you choose to perceive the power that others have over you… you’ll see a bright new world of unlimited potential for yourself… you’ll know instantly how to forgive and let go of anything,” says Dr. Wayne W Dyer.

Recognize that you are the only person who has complete control of your feelings, and by doing so, you become able to free yourself of all negativity.

3. Accept responsibility

Not everything is one-sided. Because we can only see our own perspective, we often find that we perceive other people to be the wrong, judgmental ones. We don’t see that we could have done something to provoke their cold and icy personality. Accepting responsibility for the part you may have played in a grudge or argument means you’ll be able to let go of how the other person is acting much quicker. You may even be able to seek to reconcile the problem, and accepting your responsibility will make the other person more likely to reconcile.

4. Stop living in the past

When you refuse to release a grudge or past anger, you’re not able to fully live in the present. You may find that you’re always thinking back to the people who slighted you and you made you feel this way. When you keep thinking back and experiencing emotions that have long passed, you’re not giving your full self to the things in the present that need your attention.

“Research also shows that people who hold onto chronic unforgiveness experience long-term stress, which affects your immune system, making it more difficult to fight off disease. Harmful thoughts have negative health ramifications. Forgiveness allows you to let go, not take things as personally and find true acceptance, even in the midst of chaos or trauma,” says divorce attorney-mediator, Lori S. Rubenstein, JD, PCC.

So, take a deep breath and start living in the now. Once you find peace in your present life, you’ll be much more capable of letting go of the grudging and forgiving people who haven’t said sorry.

5. Don’t look to feel slighted

Sometimes, we deliberately look for reasons to be offended. Righteous anger can feel good sometimes, and we all know those people who are a little bit addicted to the feeling. But in that same vein, going through life looking to be slighted can mean gathering grudges that will never be met with an apology. Letting some of these things go and not allowing yourself to feel offended over every little thing will mean that you’re going to be able to forgive things much easier.

6. Look at life with a loving lens

This doesn’t mean that you have to look at all of the bad things with love, but rather take all of the things that happen in your life and turn them into a lesson for you to learn something from.

Late professor Lewis B. Smedes once said, “Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future.”

Therefore, if someone causes you harm, don’t hold the grudge. Look at what happened and learn from the experience. Do you need to be less tolerant of people walking all over you? Or do you need to learn to accept people for who they are? Whatever the lesson, take it and internalize it so you can keep moving forward in life.

Final thoughts

Forgiveness doesn’t have to be something that absolves another person of guilt at the expense of your own emotions. Rather, forgiveness should be something that helps heal you from the past and help you move forward. When you forgive someone who isn’t going to say sorry, it’s a way help heal your mind and soul. It’s “… a wonderful way to honor yourself. It affirms to the universe that you deserve to be happy,” says marriage and family therapist Andrea Brandt, Ph.D.

References:
https://greatist.com/live/how-forgive-someone-who-will-never-say-sorry
https://learnevolveandthrive.com/how-to-forgive-your-partner-even-when-he-she-is-not-sorry/
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=-n3AxT39SM4C&pg
https://www.yourtango.com/experts/lori-rubenstein/how-do-you-forgive-someone-who-not-sorry
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-therapy/201303/forgiveness-vs-reconciliation
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mindful-anger/201409/how-do-you-forgive-even-when-it-feels-impossible-part-1

How to Release Emotional Attachments to Someone Who Stopped Loving You

January 26, 2018 by Power of Positivity

I’ve heard of falling in love, but hardly have I come across people who have fallen out of love. Is this even possible? Can your partner suddenly stop loving you? Before we answer that question, you must know that there’s a huge difference between ‘loving’ and ‘being in love’.

“Falling out of love is one of those awful parts of life that we don’t want to think about until we sense that it’s happening to us. At first, we think we’re imagining things, it’s rare we stop and ask ourselves, “does he love me?” But pretty soon it becomes clear that something is really, really wrong,” says dating coach Elizabeth Stone.

Letting go of someone that you never thought you would have to let go of is a difficult thing. When someone has stopped loving you, it may feel like the world won’t continue spinning. However, we all know that isn’t true. Letting go and moving forward with life is entirely possible, and it’s the healthy solution to having to say goodbye to someone you once loved.

When it’s time to let go and say goodbye, we are often left wondering how to go about doing that. After all, it’s not something that’s taught to us in school. Here are the best ways to let go of someone who’s stopped loving you, and move forward to a better and healing tomorrow.

Here Are 5 Ways To Help You Emotionally Release Someone Who Stopped Loving You

“Nothing in the universe can stop you from letting go and starting over.” – Guy Finley

1. Understand why you broke up

What was it about the relationship that wasn’t working? What caused the rift that had the both of you part ways in the first place? If you can’t pinpoint the exact reason, you may want to think about what went wrong in the relationship. This doesn’t mean that it was your fault, their fault, or anyone’s fault.

Sometimes, people don’t work out in a relationship. That doesn’t mean there must be a good and bad guy in the breakup story. Even if it still hurts, understanding why the relationship ended is the first step to allowing yourself to let them go and learn to say goodbye.

You can stay civil and on speaking terms if necessary–or you can part ways for good. There’s no right or wrong answer, just what is best for your heart.

2. Take your time

You don’t need to get over your heartbreak right away. There’s a reason that the phrase “time heals all wounds” is as popular as it is. While it may not be true in the sense that time heals ALL wounds, taking your time can indeed make healing a lot easier. If you try to push yourself into feeling better and bottle up how you’re feeling, it will only come back ten times harder than before.

“Sometimes time shows us that the feelings we felt were only to be felt in passing — as we passed on by and on to the next individual we love. That’s why you have to give time a chance. Even if it doesn’t do the trick of healing all your wounds, it will most certainly numb the pain. It will turn those vivid memories into blurry renditions,” says entrepreneur Paul Hudson.

When you’re learning to let go, the most important thing to do is to let yourself take all the time you need to heal. One day, you’ll wake up and realize that you aren’t feeling the same pain as when it first happened.

3. Understand why you need to let them go

Relationships don’t always end for good. There are times where a relationship can be rekindled and put back together. However, when you’re saying goodbye to someone who has stopped loving you, it’s best to understand that the relationship will not likely be fixed. Sometimes, we need to understand that relationships end so we can move forward and find that special relationship we’re meant to be in forever.

Understanding why you need to let them go is a great tool in healing “because if you don’t those emotions will catch up with you, and you’ll end up doing something that you’ll later regret,” adds Hudson. Once you have that understanding, you will no longer feel the need to be drawn back into a relationship that has reached its expiration date.

4. Meet new people

This doesn’t mean that you have to start going on dating apps and meeting people in bars right after you’ve said goodbye. Hooking up with people won’t fix that feeling of heartbreak. However, surrounding yourself with new people will aid in your recovery. You won’t fall in love with someone new right away, but if you allow yourself to enjoy new people, you may “fall in love” with parts of people, which can help you get the feeling back in your life as it moves forward.

Surrounding yourself with new people will also allow you to fill your days with learning about new people instead of wallowing. Also, be careful with rebounding because “at these early stages of grief, it’s easy to have tunnel vision: You dwell on what was wrong in the relationship—what hurt and wounded you,” says doctor and author Robert Taibbi, L.C.S.W.

So, what does this mean?

Whenever you are ready–you get to decide! Don’t cave into peer pressure. Let your heart heal, then consider relaunching your social life.

5. Open yourself to finding love

When we say goodbye to someone we truly love, it can feel like that was it for us. We met the love of our lives, and it didn’t work out, and there’s no one else for us. But that isn’t true! Spiritual matchmaker Heather Kristian Strang says, “In a spiritual sense, all true love is eternal. Death, breakups, divorce — whatever it may be — cannot destroy a true love.”

Therefore, closing yourself to love can shut you off from finding the person you were meant to be with. Sometimes, relationships end so that we can find the love of our lives. When you meet that person, all of the pain from saying goodbye to your last love will heal like never before. Keeping yourself open to love is going to be the thing that helps you heal and move forward, every time.

Final Thoughts on Moving on When Someone Stops Loving You

Saying goodbye is a difficult task. When we think that the person we were with will be with us forever, figuring out how to let them go isn’t easy. However, it can be done, leading us to richer, more fulfilling lives. It can even lead us to meet the love of our lives. Don’t be afraid of letting go and healing, even if it hurts for a while.

Scientists Explain How Low Dopamine Levels Make You Gain Weight

January 26, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Dopamine is one of the important neurotransmitters in your brain that sends communication signals through the nervous system, and science explains why low levels of it may make you gain weight. It affects our neurological system in multiple ways, and low levels of this important chemical can have serious negative health effects.

Low dopamine levels and weight gain

Your ability to cope with stress is better when you exercise, and your workout may also help prevent depression because it improves the effectiveness of dopamine transmission. Eating bad to feel good and avoiding exercise are both common unhealthy behaviors in those who have symptoms of depression. Low levels are also associated with depression.

Our overall mood improves when we have normal levels compared to low levels. Researchers studying the causes of weight gain and obesity found that less depressed rats are more likely to exercise than depressed rats with low dopamine. The study found that changes in activity levels were associated with low levels. Furthermore, diet was not as important as dopamine in determining how much exercise a rat would make the effort to do.

low dopamine in brain could cause weight gain

10 Ways To Increase The Dopamine In Your Brain

Exercise and dopamine levels

Most of us know that to avoid gaining weight. So need to be mindful of the food we consume and the amount of exercise we get in a day. Researchers know that when we finally do exercise, we get a burst of dopamine in response to exertion. Exercise improves our ability to cope with stress. Furthermore, it may help prevent depression because it improves the effectiveness of dopamine transmission.

A lack of mindfulness can lead to an inability to remain disciplined in our actions, including how frequently we exercise. Mindfulness includes an innate knowledge of what someone must do to improve one’s health and well-being and attend to those needs. Low dopamine levels may prevent you from being able to see that action needs to be taken to avoid gaining weight.

Willpower and low dopamine levels

How much you control your behavior relies largely on your willpower to do the things you do. Without willpower, we would have no drive to accomplish anything. Willpower, it turns out, may be largely a result of the amount of dopamine in your brain. Low dopamine levels connect with a lack of activity and willpower to act.

In humans, the prefrontal cortex plays an important role in the sensation of fatigue and the perception of effort during exercise. Exercise, without actually making the effort, correlates with increased striatal and medial prefrontal cortex dopamine transmission. Researchers found that rats with improved transmission were likelier to choose voluntary exercise over a sweet food reward.

Dopamine affects many functions throughout the body, including your ability to pay attention. Of course, this can impact your motivation to work out. Desiring exercise over food and gaining pleasure from exercise are two reasons healthy levels are important for your body. Increasing willpower to be active in your life is an additional benefit of dopamine. To increase your levels with little effort, write down one small task and do it. Crossing it off your list and enjoying your accomplishment should send your brain a wave of dopamine.

Sources:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/314978.php
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marta_Pardo/publication/283718554_Choosing_voluntary_exercise_over_sucrose_consumption_depends_upon_dopamine_transmission_Effects_of_haloperidol_in_wild_type_and_adenosine_A2AKO_mice/links/5684007908ae1975839375df/Choosing-voluntary-exercise-over-sucrose-consumption-depends-upon-dopamine-transmission-Effects-of-haloperidol-in-wild-type-and-adenosine-A2AKO-mice.pdf
https://eprints.lib.hokudai.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2115/66416/1/Psychoneuroendocrinology69_1.pdf

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Scientists Explain The Link Between Genetics and Mental Illness

Heritable Mental Illnesses

Mental Illness Symptoms and Rates of Heritability

Alcoholism

Anxiety and Panic Disorders are Among the Most Common Mental Illness

Childhood Mental Illness

Bipolar Disorder

Mental Illness: Depression and Personality Disorders

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

Source: Burmeister, M., Mcinnis, M. G., & Zöllner, S. (2008). Psychiatric genetics: progress amid controversy. Nature Reviews Genetics, 9(7), 527-540. doi:10.1038/nrg2381

Why do people use activated charcoal?

Here are 7 other reasons to try activated charcoal

1. Teeth Whitener/Oral Health

2. Relieves gas and bloating

3. May help lower blood alcohol levels

4. Water filtration

5. May reduce cholesterol levels

6. May promote kidney health

7. Reduces symptoms of Fish Odor Syndrome

Final Thoughts on Activated Charcoal:

In fact, here are ten things Alpha people need in a relationship:

1. Stability

2. Organization

3. Ambition

4. Candor

5. Spontaneity

6. Humor

7. Shared responsibility

8. Respect

9. Energy

10. Restraint

Here Are 6 Ways To Let Go And Forgive Someone Who Doesn’t Apologize

1. Focus on yourself rather than others

2. Take responsibility for your feelings

3. Accept responsibility

4. Stop living in the past

5. Don’t look to feel slighted

6. Look at life with a loving lens

Here Are 5 Ways To Help You Emotionally Release Someone Who Stopped Loving You

1. Understand why you broke up

2. Take your time

3. Understand why you need to let them go

4. Meet new people

5. Open yourself to finding love

Final Thoughts on Moving on When Someone Stops Loving You

Low dopamine levels and weight gain

Exercise and dopamine levels

Willpower and low dopamine levels

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Source:
Burmeister, M., Mcinnis, M. G., & Zöllner, S. (2008). Psychiatric genetics: progress amid controversy. Nature Reviews Genetics, 9(7), 527-540. doi:10.1038/nrg2381

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Master Your Day with the Ultimate Positive Morning Guide + Checklist