Serotonin deficiency can be very harmful to our body and mental health. It is commonly associated with illnesses like anxiety, depression, insomnia, eating disorders, and many others. When our body doesn't get the proper amount of it, we can feel like there is something wrong with us, our self-esteem can be lowered, resulting in social and work problems, but there are few ways to prevent that.
By some, serotonin is called “the molecule of happiness”.
It’s a naturally occurring substance that works as a neurotransmitter to carry information all across the nervous system. In the brain, it helps regulate our mood and memory, but it also helps with sleep, bone health, sexual functions, and anxiety levels.
Not many people are aware that most serotonin is found in the digestive system. It is made from a particular kind of amino acid that has to be provided to the body. It’s not that difficult, as it can be found in various foods like nuts, cheeses, and red meat.
Serotonin deficiency can be very harmful to our body and mental health. It is commonly associated with illnesses like anxiety, depression, insomnia, eating disorders, and many others. When our body doesn’t get the proper amount of it, we can feel like there is something wrong with us, our self-esteem can be lowered, resulting in social and work problems, but there are few ways to prevent that.
Supplements
Some herbs and plants can help activate the receptors that affect serotonin production; however, you have to be sure which one to use safely. Research suggests that some herbal supplements, such as those that contain Rhodiola Rosea or Ashwagandha, can even reduce the symptoms of mild depression.
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CBD
Scientists have recognised the positive impact that CBD can have only recently, which is one of the factors that led to it becoming legal in the UK. It was discovered that CBD could attach itself to the 5-HT1A receptor and cause the improvement of sleep and appetite while reducing nausea and anxiety. You can buy CBD in numerous forms like CBD gum, oil, gummy bears, etc.
Kava
Kava-Kava is a plant that grows commonly in Polynesia. It is proven that Kava has a positive effect on our mind, as it makes it less worried. The extracts bind the dopamine, serotonin, and opiate receptors. Kava also helps with good sleep, and it’s used as a supplement in cancer treatments. The effects vary depending on the strain, but all of them will help manage the anxiety and sleep.
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Dark Chocolate
Who doesn’t like chocolate? It’s sweet, tasty, and has a beautiful smell. Aside from that, chocolate contains serotonin and some of its precursors like L-tryptophan. Regular consumption of small amounts can lower stress levels and blood pressure.
Diet
In order to regulate serotonin levels, you have to consume an amino acid called tryptophan. It is found primarily in high-protein foods like turkey or salmon. This amino acid needs to be consumed with carbohydrates that can be found in pasta, potatoes, bread, and pastries to enter the brain. That’s one reason why carbs can be so addictive – they can simply make you happy. Too much of them may result in weight gain, which can be bad for your health, but there are ways to do it the healthy way. More complex carbohydrates can be found in apples, carrots, and beans, and it’s best to mix them with ingredients like spinach, eggs, nuts, soy, or poultry. Like chocolate, all of them contain L-tryptophan.
Exercise
Regular exercise can be the serotonin booster you need to live your life better. Multiple studies show that sport is the best way to prevent certain types of mental illnesses and make your life easier. Even as little as five minutes outside can improve your mood for a whole day, as sunlight triggers serotonin synthesis. Just find something you like, it could be anything from running to yoga or basketball.
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Massage
Massages are a great way to relieve your body of stress. Cortisol is a hormone that your body produces when you are stressed. It works with certain parts of the brain and has an impact on your mood and motivation. After the threat has passed, cortisol levels will lower gradually, but nowadays, a lot of people live in constant stress. That’s why we need more things that can reduce it. When cortisol levels decline, serotonin’s increase; and as a result, you are helping your body fight off pain, anxiety, and sadness.
Meditation
It’s another natural way to reduce stress. Meditation and mindfulness can help you calm down and turn your thoughts to a more happy direction. It’s commonly practiced with some breathing exercises that can lower the heartbeat and blood pressure. Evidence has shown that it can boost dopamine and serotonin levels, so you will feel much more peaceful.
When you start meditating, try to do some mental exercises as well. Thinking about good things and remembering positive memories can help increase serotonin levels. Think about positive experiences with your friends and family, visualize a happy moment and go with the flow.
The Bottom Line
Serotonin matters a great deal for our body. It regulates so much, from proper bowel movement to our mood. Keeping it on a proper level is crucial for the life we want to have.
Unfortunately, due to the times we live in and the sedentary lifestyle, more and more people struggle with mental health each year.
Remember that you are not alone and if you see any signs of depression in yourself, you should contact your doctor immediately.
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The full list of Greater Manchester Olympians representing Team GB at Paris 2024
Danny Jones
The Paris Olympics are nearly here and this year Greater Manchester happens to have eight athletes competing at the 2024 Summer Games.
It just so happens that eight is also the exact same number of local Olympians who brought home medals from Tokyo 2020, and we’re hoping these lot will help Team GB bring back a record number, with the previous competition seeing them match their all-time record (65) set at London 2012.
Honestly, there are few times in the year that we love as much as when the summer of sport fully kicks in and with the heartbreak of the Euros finally starting to drift, we can fully throw ourselves into the Olympics and get behind our Mancs flying the flag for 0161.
But who exactly is representing Greater Manchester at Paris 2024 and what events are they competing in? Look no further.
Greater Manchester’s 2024 Team GB athletes and their sports
Without further ado, let’s meet our local Olympic heroes:
Keely Hodgkinson – Wigan – Athletics
Starting out over in the home of the Latics, pie barms and The Verve, we have Wigan‘s very own Keely Hodgkinson: a two-time European champion who also recently broke the all-time British record in the 800m at the Diamond League in London on 20 July.
Born in Atherton, the 22-year-old middle-distance runner’s career is already off to a flyer and having already picked up the silver in her event at the last Olympics at just 19, we have every faith she’ll be bringing home the gold this time.
Aimee Pratt – Stockport – Athletics
Over to Stockport (don’t start with that Cheshire nonsense today, just be proud she’s from around here) and our 3000m steeplechase specialist, who already broke the national record twice in 2022 and produced the UK’s best-ever finish (7th) in the women’s event at the World Athletics Championships.
A long-standing member of Sale Harriers running club and a University of Manchester graduate, Aimee Pratt, 26, has got so much local backing behind her and has quickly gone from rising star to very much looking like she’s going to live up to the expectations of becoming ‘world-class’ as coaches predicted.
The third and final Manc representing us in athletics events is Bury-born and bred Hannah Kelly, 23, who is also a member of nearby Bolton United Harriers.
She was part of the crack team at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow that helped Great Britain reach a women’s 4x400m national record, picking up the bronze medal and will no doubt be looking to go on further in her Olympic debut.
Now into the world of combat sport and the incredible story of Trafford boxer Pat Brown’s journey to Paris 2024 who beat Poland’s Mateusz Bereznicki in a qualifier back in March and now finds himself heading to his first-ever appearance at the Olympics.
Coming through the ranks at his local clubs Moss Side Fire Station and Sale West ABC, the 24-year-old has gone through his fair share of challenges of late, losing his best friend and cousin shortly after sealing his place at the Games but now has more spirit and motivation behind him than ever.
Moving over to the world of cycling and there’s just one local name taking part in two-wheeled events this year: 28-year-old sensation, Charlotte Worthington, from just down the road in Chorlton.
One of the select few Team GB athletes who managed to pick up an Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, the BMX star is not only ready to defend her title – becoming the first women’s champion freestyle park champion in history – but is looking to come back stronger than ever after some time out.
Insane stuff.
Anthony Harding – Ashton-under-Lyne – Diving
On to those wading through Paris waters in the name of Manchester, the first of two aquatic athletes competing at this year’s tournament is Antony Harding from Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside.
Joining forces will Britain’s first-ever Olympic diving champion, Jack Laugher (who won the gold at Rio 2016), the duo have already brought home Commonwealth and European gold in the 3m synchro, as well as a pair of World Championship silver medals in the last two years. Is 2024 set for more gold?
And completing the water-bound Team GB athletes hailing from 0161 is multiple-gold medal-winner James Guy who, to use a phrase the kids are using, really is ‘that guy‘.
Another Bury native, the 27-year-old swimmer already has a big collection of gold medals in both the 200m and 4x200m freestyle at the Worlds, as well as silvers across multiple events over the past few years. With five Olympic medals in total to date, we’re desperate for him to add a gold to that list.
Georgia Taylor-Brown – Droyslden – Triathlon
Last but certainly not least is Droyslden’s Georgia Taylor-Brown, who was born to be an Olympian after her mum and Dad swam and ran, respectively, but continues to chase her own story of greatness, having picked up silver on her Olympics debut at Tokyo 2020 – even whilst nursing an injury.
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With two golds at the 2019 World Triathlon Mixed Relay Series and AJ Bell World Triathlon in Leeds as well, we already know the colour looks good on her. You can listen to her full interview about going for gold yet again on BBC Sounds HERE but, for now, we’ll admit that her talking about coping with missing her dog come race time has made us love her even more:
Passport ✅ Hotel ✅ Alfie the cavapoo 🥰@TeamGB triathlete Georgia Taylor-Brown from Droylsden on what she can't live without at the Olympics.
Fingers crossed out Greater Manchester Olympians will absolutely smash it at Paris 2024 and regardless of how many medals they come home with, we already know they’ll give it their all.
No matter what, they’ll be welcomed back with a lovely homecoming party over at the AO Arena and we already have a great place to watch the events too.
Best of luck to our Mancs and all of Team GB – now go and do us proud!
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
The Manc -
16th February 2021 
