Anxiety, low mood, cravings, panic — most women don’t realize these are brain chemistry signals. Here’s what’s really going on and how to feel better faster.
Your moods aren’t who you are
Today I want to talk about moods.
Because moods can really take us out. And we take ourselves so seriously when we’re in one, which just perpetuates the feeling we’re in. We think this is who I am. This is how life feels. This is just how I am.
But here’s what I want you to know, you can change your moods. And the first step is recognizing what they really are.
Moods are like the weather
Moods are transient. They come. They go. Especially when you’re aware. And that awareness makes all the difference.
Yes, life is happening. Sometimes very serious things, a death in the family, a relationship crisis, something with your kids. Life is happening all the time. And the more you can roll with it, the more you can let go, the more you can support yourself to feel better, the more you can be in the present moment and be happier more of the time.
So today let’s talk about the biology of moods. Because when you understand what’s actually happening in your brain, you have real power to shift things.
The three brain chemicals running your moods
Your moods are largely driven by chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters. Three of them, in particular, matter most.
1. Serotonin — the “life is good” chemical
Serotonin is your happy neurotransmitter. It’s what helps you feel content, at peace, and like life is good. And here’s the wild part — 90% of your serotonin is made in your gut. Not your brain. Your gut.
Which means if your digestion isn’t well, your mood isn’t going to be well either.
2. Catecholamines (especially dopamine) — your motivation chemicals
The catecholamines include dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Dopamine is the one you have the most influence over. It gives you:
— Really good energy
— Libido
— Motivation and drive
— The desire to achieve
When dopamine is low, you feel flat. Unmotivated. Blah. Nothing sounds fun.
3. GABA — the relaxation chemical
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is what allows you to relax your muscles, calm your nervous system and feel at peace. It’s your body’s natural chill signal.
When GABA is low, everything feels tight. You’re wound up. You can’t unwind. You may even edge toward panic.
The surprising truth about anxiety and panic attacks
Here’s something that surprises women, anxiety and panic attacks are actually low mood states.
They feel like your body is too much — too amped, too on edge, too electric. But underneath, they’re often signs of a deficiency in serotonin and GABA. Your inhibitory neurotransmitters, the ones that keep you from going “splat on the ceiling,” as I like to say, aren’t strong enough to balance out the catecholamines that are firing.
Which is why supporting these brain chemicals can help so much.
Why your cravings make total sense
Every neurotransmitter deficiency has a craving profile. Once you learn them, you can start decoding what your body is really asking for.
Low serotonin → Afternoon or evening cravings, especially for carbs and sweets
Low dopamine (catecholamines) → Cravings for stimulation — sugar, chocolate, caffeine
Low GABA → Cravings for carbs to relax, and often for alcohol (because alcohol helps produce GABA)
Here’s the picture that usually emerges. You wake up needing catecholamines to get going, so you reach for coffee. You push, push, push all day on artificial energy. By evening, you’re wired but drained and you crave a glass of wine to help you relax.
The cycle makes sense. But it’s exhausting. And it doesn’t actually rebuild anything.
Because coffee artificially energizes you (pushing your body harder than it can go) and alcohol raises cortisol overnight and slows your metabolism.
The nutrients that actually shift your moods
Nutrients are the #1 biohack for feeling better faster. And when it comes to moods, we’re talking specifically about amino acid therapy.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein — and the raw material your body uses to make neurotransmitters. Which means when you give your body the right amino acids in the right form, you can shift your brain chemistry pretty quickly.
But amino acids don’t work in isolation. They need a foundation of minerals and B vitamins to do their job well.
And they need a foundation of real food. That means:
— Eating enough protein at every meal
— Eating three balanced meals a day
— Healthy protein, healthy fats, and healthy carbohydrates at each meal
— A little extra of your whole, real carbohydrates at dinner (this helps serotonin cross the blood-brain barrier, which is a tricky journey from gut to brain)
— Healing your digestion (remember, 90% of your serotonin is made in your gut)
Small steps. Big change.
A story from the tennis court
I want to share a personal example.
When I first started playing competitive singles tennis again after years away, I would step on the court and my heart would start beating out of my chest. I thought how am I supposed to focus and play a match feeling like this?
My chiropractor said “just go run a mile first, that’ll settle you down.” And I laughed, because I already run about five miles during a match. Adding another mile would leave me exhausted before I even started.
So I found a wonderful supplement that helped me build up my GABA and serotonin. And when I stepped on the court, I was focused. Calm. Ready to play. It was unbelievable.
Here’s the best part, after about four to six months, I didn’t need the supplement anymore. I had retrained my nervous system to be calm. That’s the power of amino acid therapy, it doesn’t just mask symptoms, it rebuilds you.
What shifts when your brain chemistry shifts
When you start supporting your neurotransmitters, everything changes.
You respond to life better. Your nervous system stays calm. You stop feeling like you have to control everything (controlling is actually a brain chemistry imbalance, did you know?). You start being present instead of managing. You appreciate life more. You’re just happier.
That’s what I want for every woman reading this.
Key takeaways
— Moods are like the weather — transient, and you can shift them
— Three brain chemicals drive your moods: serotonin, dopamine (catecholamines), and GABA
— Anxiety and panic attacks are actually low mood states — often signaling low serotonin and GABA
— Your cravings for coffee, sugar, and alcohol are your brain chemistry asking for help
— Amino acid therapy — supported by minerals, B vitamins, and real food — can shift things fast
— 90% of your serotonin is made in your gut, so healing digestion is foundational
Ready to shift the weather?
Understanding your brain chemistry is one thing. Actually rebuilding it is where the real change happens and it’s so much easier with support.
Inside NHS Circle, we help women understand what their bodies are asking for, connect the dots between symptoms and root causes and walk the healing journey together. It’s a beautiful community of like-minded women, weekly small steps and real answers from my team.
Small steps. Real support. Every week.
Love,
Robin xo
