Mood, Motivation & Hormones: 5 Brain Chemicals That Could Be Sabotaging Your Spark (And How to Balance Them Naturally)
Ever feel like you’re doing everything right—eating well, trying to stay active, staying positive—but you still feel foggy, moody, or just... off?
Here’s the truth:
It’s not all in your head.
It might be in your hormones—or more specifically, your brain chemistry.
At Itasca Naturopathic Clinic, we specialize in helping women rebalance their hormones and reignite their energy, mood, and motivation. And part of that healing? Supporting the 5 feel-good brain chemicals that play a huge role in how you think, feel, and function every day.
Let’s take a closer look at each one—and how you can start supporting them naturally.
💛 1. Serotonin: The Mood Stabilizer
Serotonin helps regulate your mood, sleep, digestion, and appetite. When it’s low, you might feel anxious, irritable, or have trouble sleeping.
How to naturally support serotonin:
Get morning sunlight (this sets your circadian rhythm and boosts serotonin!)
Eat tryptophan-rich foods like eggs, seeds, and turkey
Support your gut health—about 90% of serotonin is made in the gut!
🧠 2. Dopamine: The Motivation Molecule
Dopamine is all about focus, reward, and that “YES I did it!” feeling. But today’s world (think social media, sugar, and non-stop notifications) can mess with its natural rhythm.
How to naturally boost dopamine:
Eat enough protein (amino acids = dopamine building blocks)
Listen to your favorite music or move your body to a beat
Celebrate small wins—we love tracking progress with our patients
🤗 3. Oxytocin: The Connection Hormone
This is your “warm & fuzzy” hormone—the one that helps you bond, trust, and feel safe. When oxytocin is low, you might feel isolated or disconnected.
Ways to naturally increase oxytocin:
Physical touch (hugs, massages)
Meaningful social connection (our group coaching is perfect for this!)
Acts of kindness (to others and yourself)
💥 4. Endorphins: The Natural Painkillers
Endorphins help reduce physical pain and emotional stress. They also spark feelings of joy, laughter, and energy.
Endorphin-boosting ideas:
Laugh! Yes, even funny videos count
Exercise (even just a walk can help)
Try something new like acupuncture or dance breaks in the kitchen
🧘🏽♀️ 5. GABA: The Calming Chemical
GABA is your brain’s built-in chill pill. Without enough of it, you might feel wired but tired, anxious, or overstimulated.
To gently increase GABA:
Sip calming teas like chamomile or lemon balm
Practice yoga, stretching, or breathwork
Try guided meditations to activate your parasympathetic nervous system
But What If You’re Already Doing These Things and Still Don’t Feel Like You?
That’s where our root-cause approach comes in.
Hormone shifts (hello, perimenopause and menopause), stress, nutrient deficiencies, chronic inflammation, and thyroid issues can all impact your brain chemistry—and your mood.
We help women uncover what’s really going on under the surface.
Whether it’s low magnesium, vitamin D, iron, B vitamins, or omega-3s…
Or deeper imbalances like PCOS, thyroid dysfunction, or adrenal burnout…
We create a personalized plan to help you feel like yourself again.
💬 Ready to Reclaim Your Mood, Motivation & Hormonal Harmony?
✨ Book your free discovery session with Dr. Rachel Oppitz or Jaclyn today.
✨ Download your FREE “7 Steps to Hormone Harmony” Guide.
✨ Join our transformational group coaching—open to patients and non-patients alike!
Let’s get your brain, body, and hormones back in sync—naturally.
Rachel Oppitz, ND
