Most people have heard of and probably have a pretty good understanding of how hormones affect your mood. But brushing up on the role that several important hormones play can be valuable because hormones not only affect how you feel — they affect how your body functions.

Some of the hormones people may be most familiar with are the “feel good” hormones — dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins. They get attention in all kinds of articles about everything from long-distance running (which triggers the release of endorphins) to dating advice (with oxytocin being released during the infatuation stage of a relationship). Harvard Health Publishing describes them, saying they have their reputation “because of the happy and, sometimes, euphoric feelings they produce.” But there’s more to them than simply being mood enhancers. “They’re also considered neurotransmitters, which means they carry messages across the spaces between nerve cells.”

Another reason these hormones are in the popular spotlight is because you can often boost their levels with changes in lifestyle, diet and exercise. Research has also shown the power of meditation to affect hormone levels, primarily by reducing the level of the stress hormone cortisol — the opposite of a feel-good hormone. Beyond such well-known means of affecting hormone levels, there are less well-publicized means of influencing hormonal activity — intimate conversations (see Why We Feel So Good After A Wonderful Conversation) and positive social interactions have been shown to be a significant benefit to mental health.

Aside from these natural means of affecting hormones, there’s a burgeoning industry of supplements that have entered the picture. These can be beneficial, but as Harvard Health Publishing points out, “In some cases, supplements can cause unwanted and even serious side effects. For example, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) supplements may cause headaches, drowsiness or an upset stomach with nausea and vomiting. In the past, some 5-HTP supplements were linked to a very rare condition called eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS) that affects the muscles, skin, and lungs.” This points to the need to check with your medical doctor before adding supplements to your diet.

In an upcoming blog, I’ll delve more into the role that dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins play in your everyday life. I’ll also address a fad that is attracting some attention: dopamine fasting, which anyone should research carefully before jumping on the bandwagon.