Are There Happiness Supplements? 'What Can I Take To Make Me Happy?' | Trio Nutrition

The information in this article and throughout Trio Nutrition’s blog is for informational purposes only, and should never be mistaken for professional medical advice.

While there may not be a single pill that can make you happy, there are supplements you can take that can support your mood, ease stress, and make coping with life's difficulties a little easier. These supplements can help you feel less stressed, which can lead to a happier, more relaxed life.

Learn more about natural supplement that helps you feel happier. Remember, these aren't magic pills that make you feel happy and energetic, but they do ease stress, especially when taken as part of a full self-care routine that includes:

• A healthy diet
• At least 8 hours of sleep every night
• Minimal to no alcohol consumption
• Talk therapy with a licensed, qualified practitioner
• A medical evaluation to rule out underlying health issues

Supplements that support mood and fight stress

Are there mood pills? Happiness may be a state of mind, but there are supplements that support your body and your mood. The following ingredients may have positive benefits that can help your body deal with the chemical processes associated with stress. In turn, your body can more effectively cope with stress and you can experience elevated moods, reduced anxiety and even improved sleep.

Ashwagandha for stress relief

Ashwagandha is an herb used in Ayurveda, which is a traditional form of medicine from India. It is officially classified as an adaptogen, which means it helps your body deal with stress. Studies indicate that ashwagandha supports several stress mediators in the body, including cortisol and an enzyme that is specifically activated by stress. It’s also been shown to reduce the activity of a system in our bodies that kicks in when we are stressed. While there are additional benefits to taking ashwagandha, it’s easy to see why so many natural supplements for happiness include this potent herb.

5-HTP for mood

What are the 5 HTP benefits? Chances are high that you’ve come across 5-HTP in your search for a natural way to boost moods and reduce stress and anxiety. This is actually an amino acid that your body already produces, so we know a good deal about it and its role in bodily functions. For instance, we know that our body utilizes 5-HTP in the production of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps send messages between nerve cells. It is often called the happy chemical because of how it impacts our moods. It also plays a role in functions like digestion, libido and sleep. By supporting the production of serotonin, 5HTP benefits include giving your body a powerful tool to improve your overall sense of well-being.

St. John’s wort for stress

St. John’s wort is a flowering shrub and one of the most well-known natural supplements for improving mood. Studies indicate that it can help mild to moderate depression. It seems to boost your body’s level of important feel-good chemicals. This makes it a powerful supplement for those looking to improve their moods. It is important to know that there are potential interactions with St.John’s wort and other medications. Always ask your medical professional or pharmacist before adding any supplement, including this one, to your daily regime.

How to use mood-enhancing supplements

Similar to many vitamins and minerals, many supplements are more effective when they are taken in combination. Sometimes this means taking certain active ingredients together in order to get a synergistic benefit. It may also mean adding vitamins or minerals to the mix to enhance your body’s ability to absorb or use the supplement.

For example, a supplement that combines ashwagandha, St.Johns’ wort and 5-HTP can be more effective than taking any single ingredient by itself. Adding magnesium and vitamin B6 may improve absorption and make the mood-boosting ingredients more bioavailable. Bioavailability is a measure of how much a substance is able to access the circulation and reach the targeted area.  Supplements that are formulated to have high bioavailability will be more effective, as they will help the body to absorb more of the appropriate nutrient, without having to take higher doses.

Therefore, it is important to remember that quality counts when shopping for supplements. Look for brands that focus on premium ingredients and products that are lab analyzed and certified for purity.