Happy DOSE Oxycontin

In the presentation, Leah,  went on to talk about the hug drug. This is another chemical we produce that helps us stay healthy and happy. Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and is secreted into the bloodstream by the posterior pituitary gland. Secretion depends on the electrical activity of neurons in the hypothalamus – it is released into the blood when these cells are excited.

In the brain, oxytocin acts as a chemical messenger and has been shown to be important in human behaviours including sexual arousal, recognition, trust, anxiety and mother-infant bonding. As a result, scientists call oxytocin the 'love hormone' or 'cuddle chemical'. So if we give someone a hug, we release oxytocin into our bodies.  Oxytocin is controlled by a positive feedback mechanism where the release of the hormone causes an action that stimulates more of its own release, the longer you hug the more Oxytocin released.

In 2012, researchers found that people in the first stages of romantic attachment had higher levels of oxytocin, compared with non-attached single people. These levels persisted for at least 6 months.

According to Medical News Today, Sexual activity has been found to stimulate the release of oxytocin, and it appears to have a role in erection and orgasm. The reason for this is not fully understood, but, in women, it may be that the increased uterine motility may help sperm to reach their destination. Some scientists have proposed a correlation between the concentration of oxytocin and the intensity of orgasm.

One review of research into oxytocin states that the hormone’s impact on “pro-social behaviours” and emotional responses contributes to relaxation, trust, and psychological stability.

In 2011, research published in Psychopharmacology found that intranasal oxytocin improved self-perception in social situations and increased personality traits such as warmth, trust, altruism, and openness.

In 2013, a study published in PNAS suggested that oxytocin may help keep men faithful to their partners, by activating the reward centers in the brain.

In 2014, researchers published findings in the journal Emotion suggesting that people saw the facial expression of emotions in others more intensely after receiving oxytocin through a nasal spray.

Brain oxytocin also appears to reduce stress responses, including anxiety. The presenter went on to talk about the ways she recommends that might raise oxytocin in our bodies. I have listed my top five.

Listen with your eyes. Instead of being glued to an electronic device, give the person with you your complete attention. Watch their face and listen to what he or she is telling you.

Share a meal. Eating moderately is calming and helps us bond with others. Including a glass of wine is fine, too. You can increase the effect by following #9 and making the meal you share a gift.

Use social media. OK, you are doing this anyway. Just don't forget to see your Facebook friends in person, too.

Pet a dog. This doesn't always work unless the dog belongs to you, but if you identify as a "dog person," any old dog will raise your oxytocin. The dog won't complain, either. And once your oxytocin is up, you'll connect better to the humans around you, too.

Tell those around you that you love them. Oxytocin is the love molecule so it is part of our evolved biology to love others (both "philia" and "Eros"). You've got to put it out there to get it back. With friends, too, and maybe even at work.

Eight hugs a day. We have shown that touch not only raises oxytocin, but it reduces cardiovascular stress and can improve the immune system, too. Try telling people that you hug rather than shake hands and see what happens when you give others the gift of oxytocin.

Happy DOSE Dopamine

Happy DOSE was written on the whiteboard and the presenter, Leah Palls, who went on to explain what she meant. Happy Dose is a term Leah wanted us to remember to help us stay healthy.  DOSE means Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphins. Over the next few posts, I will try to impart the wisdom Leah gave us in a very interesting two-hour presentation that I was fortunate enough to go to at the Tri-Cities Senior Planning Valentine Event. The chemicals work hard to help us stay healthy. Her position is that our body moves naturally toward healing and we need a healthy DOSE of these chemicals every day to keep us healthy and positive.

When we do something, we like we create a chemical messenger called Dopamine, which is a type of neurotransmitter. Your body makes it and releases it when we eat food that we crave or while we have sex, contributing to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction as part of the reward system.

Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It's a big part of our uniquely human ability to think and plan. It helps us strive, focus, and find things interesting.

Your body spreads it along four major pathways in the brain. Too much or too little of it can lead to a vast range of health issues. Some are serious, like Parkinson’s disease. Others are much less dire. It affects many parts of your behaviour and physical functions, such as Learning, Motivation, Heart rate, Blood vessel function, Kidney function, Lactation, Sleep, Mood, Attention,

Control of nausea and vomiting, Pain processing, and Movement.

The presenter went on that if we want to increase the amount of Dopamine there are a few things we can do, the first is to Move and to exercise. She talked about the Grind that she goes on every day to improve mood and may boost her dopamine levels. She also told us that studies on music and the creation of Dopamine have shown an increase in Dopamine due to melodic music. Finally, she said that a lack of sleep can reduce dopamine sensitivity in the brain, resulting in excessive feelings of sleepiness. Getting a good night’s rest may help regulate your body’s natural dopamine rhythms.

This chemical usually plays a secondary role in the body, but in certain medical situations, it’s literally a lifesaver. Doctors use prescription dopamine (Inotropin) to treat:

Low blood pressure

Poor cardiac output (when the heart doesn’t pump out enough blood)

Poor blood flow to vital organs

Some cases of septic shock

There are possible complications with any drug, even if taken under close supervision. So, because many drugs interact with it, it’s important that your doctor knows all the medications you take if you are considering using prescription dopamine, we recommend that you find ways to increase the body's natural creation of the drug before you turn to medication.

Conserving energy

Many of us as we get older can begin to experience chronic conditions and/or chronic pain. the following is from Oregon Health and Science University, Occupational Therapy and it addresses the issue of managing your energy while dealing with a chronic illness or condition.

Before  beginning a task, determine:

1.   WHY is it necessary?

2.   WHAT is the purpose?

3.   WHEN should it be done?

4.   WHERE should it be done? 

5.   HOW should it be done?

SCHEDULING: Plan ahead to schedule daily tasks, rests and appointments according to your abilities. Spread things out throughout the day, week, month, etc.

Spread heavy and light physical tasks throughout the day, considering what the best time is for you.

Prioritize tasks according to your needs and desires. When do you want or need to do for yourself that is realistic within your present abilities?

Delegate responsibilities and determine what you need help with, who can help you and a date and time you will be receiving help.

PACING: Balance work and rest. Include rest periods during and between activities.

·      Avoid rushing.

   ·      Allow more time to complete a task.

   ·      Know your limits.

   ·      Pain is no gain – listen to your body.

   ·      Analyze the demands of the task:

   ·      Are they physical, cognitive or 

          emotional.

   ·      Balance and vary each type of task 

          throughout the day

   ·      Include rest periods

   ·      Schedule high demand tasks for your 

          peak performance time of day

SIMPLIFYING: Analyze each task and determine the easiest way to do it

·       Avoid unnecessary motions

·       Avoid unnecessary details

·       Sit instead of stand

·       Use two hands instead of one

·       Slide instead of lifting

·       Use modern equipment

ORGANIZING: Set up your environment to avoid unnecessary steps.

·       Have things in easy reach

·       Have chairs to sit on

·       Keep things in the same place each 

        time to avoid search time

·       Avoid unnecessary clutter

STRESS MANAGEMENT: The above-mentioned techniques will help you decrease your stress through increased energy efficiency, knowing your strengths and limitations and sharing this with others, and avoiding over-fatigue which ultimately leads to increased stress.

·       Set realistic goals

·       Live in the present, not the past or  

        future

·       Think about what you can do not what you are unable to do

·       Accept what cannot be changed

·       Practice good posture and breathing 

        techniques

·       Eat nutritionally

·       Learn from your success AND your 

        mistakes

·       Listen to your body

·       Save time and energy for fun

·       As questions. Take control of your 

        illness. Don't let it control you.

Time for a bit of humour, if you can call it that.

Why isn't "phonetic" spelled the way it sounds?

I'm offended by political jokes. Too often they get elected.

A guy knows he's in love when he loses interest in his car for a couple of days.

The U.S. Postal Service was ordered to create a stamp with a picture of President Trump. 

However, it was found that in daily use the stamp was not sticking to envelopes at all. 

So Trump ordered a blue-ribbon commission to determine who to punish for the defect. 

After a month's testing, the commission reported the following findings:

1. The stamp was found to be in perfect order.

2. There was nothing wrong with the adhesive.

3. People were spitting on the front side.

Q: What did the beaver say to the tree?  

A: Nice gnawing you!

If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.

99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

I'm seventy-three and I don't have any political affiliation, but I'm

thinking of becoming a Republican. If you're a Democrat and seventy-three, you're over the hill.

But if you're a Republican, you're one of the youngest guys out there.

t was rush hour, and when the bus finally arrived, it was packed. I 

tried to force my way on, but no one would budge, although there was ample room in the back. Then the bus driver took over.

"Excuse me, Ladies and Gentlemen," he shouted. "Will all the beautiful, smart people please move to the back of the bus, and all the ugly stupid people stay upfront?"

Hey, it worked!!....there was plenty of room for me upfront... :o)

Hard work pays off in the future, laziness pays off now.

I've been told that your memory is the first thing to go as you grow

older.

Can anyone remember what they said was after that?

Do "good things really come to those who wait"??

I personally suspect they are just the leftovers from the people who got there first.

A man was killed in Manila recently for singing off-key.

In an unrelated story, Bob Dylan has postponed his tour to the

Philippines.

Finally, historians have recently discovered that Annie Oakley, famed sharp-shooter of the Old West, had a sister. The sister, 

Carrie gained some renown in her day as a singer in various saloons throughout the West, but it was not until after her death that she was very widely known. Today, countless bars are dedicated to Carrie Oakley. 

I will leave now.