Having a healthy brain is important for balancing your emotional and mental health. How do you create this balance, though? Do you watch hilarious movies and make sure you exercise? While exercising can boost your mood, the brain needs healthy fats to function properly. When you lack proper brain nutrition, you can develop mood swings, depression, or increase your risk of cognitive disease or decline.
Enter virgin coconut oil into the equation. Coconut oil has incredible anti-stress properties and it is rich in antioxidants. In fact, a study found that when treated with virgin coconut oil, mice exhibited higher levels of brain antioxidants. They also found that cholesterol, triglyceride, and stress levels decreased.
People with depression or anxiety often get prescribed medications that have a tranquilizing effect on the brain. These medications typically block the production of cortisol (a stress hormone) and you get a rush of hormones that help you relax and feel good. The problem is that these medications don’t address the problem, and they can cause the following side effects:
- Fatigue
- Muscle spasms
- Lack of sleep
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Double vision
- Rage
- Loss of balance
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Rash
- Difficulty breathing
The list keeps going, but we figured that you got the gist. If you stop using these medications, you can experience the following withdrawal symptoms:
- Digestive problems
- Light-headedness
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Confusion
- Muscular pain
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Heart Palpitations
- Fatigue
- Paranoia
- Seizures
- Hand Tremors
Contrary to popular anti-anxiety drugs, virgin coconut oil helps lower cortisol levels naturally by relaxing the adrenal glands, which are responsible for producing cortisol. There are no known withdrawal symptoms of coconut oil, but there are tons of side effects. Aside from naturally reducing stress levels and boosting your mood, you may experience the following from taking 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil every day.
- Improves digestion
- Improves thyroid function
- Stronger immune system
- Increases testosterone levels in men
- Kills colon cancer
- Attacks viruses and bacteria
- Kills yeast overgrowth
- Inhibits ulcer formation
- Boosts metabolism
When it comes to reaping these benefits, it’s important to consume cold-pressed, unrefined virgin coconut oil. Coconut oil that is hydrogenated contains trans fats, which are bad. Avoid genetically modified coconut food products and always try to buy organic. Consuming 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil once a day is better than taking anti-anxiety or depression medications. Don’t suppress the problem. Address it to promote a healthier future.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
