590: The science of dopamine, oxytocin, & serotonin | Neuroscientist Tj Power

“ If you can fix your relationship with your phone and food, big shifts happen with your mental health,” explains Tj Power. 

Power, lead neuroscientist, author, and founder of the DOSE Lab, joins us today to explore the vital role neurotransmitters play in our health, how to naturally boost dopamine, and how to build routines that set you up for long-term success. Plus: 

- Neurotransmitters 101(~2:25) 

- Dopamine levels (~3:20)

- How to naturally support dopamine levels (~4:00)

- Boredom & the impact on the brain (~5:30)

- Health implications for low dopamine (~6:55)

- Routines to set yourself up for success (~7:55)

- Dopamine & technology (~10:55)

- What is oxytocin (~15:15) 

- How to increase oxytocin (~16:20)

- Serotonin & the gut (~22:18)

- Endorphines & destressing (~26:10)

- Exercise as an elixir (~28:55)

- The importance of play (~32:00)

- Time alone (~33:45)

- Reward systems & dopamine (~36:00)

- The importance of sleep (~43:00)

Referenced in the episode: 

- Follow Tj on Instagram (@tjpower) 

- Learn more about his research (https://thedoselab.com/lab) 

- Pick up his book, The Dose Effect

 - What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan

- Research on texting vs calling on hormones (PMCID: PMC3277914) 

We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: podcast@mindbodygreen.com.

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