Welcome to Part 4 of 4 podcasts about Amino Acids and more specifically, the book written by Dr. Julia Ross called The Mood Cure.  The information contained in this little book, published in 2004 by Penguin books, was such a game changer in my life.  It taught me I didn’t have to accept the “hand” of emotional missteps my body handed to me, on a regular basis.  I didn’t have to be that weak person who, once a month, not only suffered PMS but huge self doubt about myself and my abilities to handle anything “stressful”.  And of course the burden of the whole world’s problems would overwhelm me on any given Sunday (or any day, for that matter!), how could I possible take on any more while I worry about the starving children in Africa…  Along comes this book, The Mood Cure, – and a couple of others like Change Your Thoughts Change Your Life, by Wayne Dyer and The Seven Habits of Effective People by  Stephen R. Covey, and I am cured of all that ails me!  Well almost!  

Have you been accused of being “way too sensitive!”  Do you often feed sad for no real reason?  Do you crave pleasure foods – sugar, chocolate, sweets, baked goods, dairy (cheese please!)?

Do you know someone who is so “bah humbug” that they do not find joy in simple pleasures like sunsets, a beautiful day or lovely meal out (and someone else cleans up!)?  These are sure signs of being deficient in the feel good chemical “endorphins”.   Endorphins are natural comforting substances that transmit enjoyment, contentment and even euphoria! Hallelujah!  

What could make someone such an unhappy Scrooge like character that is hooked on simple carbs and cheese?  Or alcohol or drugs?  Could it be  they were just born that way?  Well genetics does play a part in this.  There is a bio-chemical pre disposition to having too little endorphins that runs in families (the ones who ALL seem miserable?  All the time???). Then if you are born female versus male, you are more likely to have lower endorphin levels than your brother. If you have Premenstral Syndrome (PMS), you won’t have the usual uptick of endorphin levels mid cycle.  You stay low throughout.  And of course, there’s menopause – when endorphin levels sag.  As estrogen levels drop, so does levels of endorphins.  Estrogen actually runs the show here!  It’s the director that is responsible for releasing endorphins (and serotonin) in the brain.  WOW – challenges on every front if you are a typical woman!  And they accuse us of being too emotional, too sensitive and easily upset… well, now we know why – often, we couldn’t help ourselves!  Until now!  

What else can cause persistent depleted state of endorphins? Prolonged stressful circumstances.  These circumstances can be emotional distress or physical pain.  Chronic pain can have concrete biochemical repercussions.  Prolonged stress from upset, injury sickness or just being scared, taxes the endorphin levels.  

Take the time to find a good functional medical professional to help you with this journey, or call Jr. Julia Ross’s clinic for virtual appointment.  The mood assessment questionnaire is on the clinic website and is a great place to start.  I’ll leave the URL in the show notes on our website:

https://www.thewisewomansway.com or short version http://www.annerad.com will redirect you to it. 

Dr. Julia Ross’s Website.  Find access to her clinic and her questionnaire to determine what your “false moods” are and how to start fixing them!

https://www.juliarosscures.com/