Can Massage Change Your Mood?

THE BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF MASSAGE

A survey of the research on the effects of massage therapy suggests that massage can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

It has been suggested that massage causes the body to release and suppress certain chemicals in our body.

Researchers suggest that massage can:

increase dopamine and serotonin
reduce the stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline
increase the relaxation alpha brain waves
increase the release of endorphins
decrease levels of noradrenaline and the stress hormone ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone)
boost the immune system
stabilise blood sugar levels
improve lung functioning
make you feel better.