Happy Shampoo

The brainchild of my eldest son George, this shampoo provides your hair with softness, shine and volume whilst the active natural ingredients help to lift your mood. Absorbed quickly through your scalp, the active ingredients can help to give your mental health that morning boost that it sometimes might need:
 
Saffron has been found to reduce depression and anxiety in people of all ages. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, but it also has antioxidant properties that remove free radicals from the body. Both effects can enhance the production of neurotransmitters, like serotonin.
 
Curcumin is the active ingredient found in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. It is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream when eaten but may absorb better through our hair follicles. 
 
Hops are the flower of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus) used to make beer. They have been used for centuries as a treatment for insomnia and to boost mood. Beer leaves your hair shiny and volumous. 
 
Many studies have found that the omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil can lower inflammation and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. 
 
Linseed (aka Flaxseed) Oil is also high in omega-3 fatty acids. This works in the same way as cod liver oil to reduce inflammation and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Although the current research is limited to test-tube and animal studies, there is also some evidence that linseed oil may help reduce the growth of cancer cells.
 
Hemp Seed Oil comes from the small seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. The seeds do not contain the same levels of compounds as the plant itself, but they still have a rich profile of nutrients, fatty acids, and useful bioactive compounds.  The fatty acid content of hemp seed oil can be good for the brain, which requires plenty of healthful fats to operate properly. Hemp seed oil is also rich in other compounds that may help protect the brain. A recent study in mice found that a hemp seed extract containing these active compounds was able to help protect the brain against inflammation. The authors note that hemp seed oil contains polyphenols, which may play a role in protecting the brain.
 
Pumpkin is a good source of the amino acids tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosine, all of which are associated with mood-regulating neurotransmitters. Tryptophan converts to serotonin in the brain. While antidepressants attempt to make serotonin more available, tryptophan is the only substance that can make serotonin. Pumpkin seeds are especially high in tryptophan. 
 
Cacao boosts the production of feel-good chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins bind with opiate receptors in the brain leading to feelings of euphoria, like the kind joggers get from “runner’s high.” They also reduce pain and diminish the negative effects of stress. Cacao is a top dietary source of tryptophan, an amino acid precursor to serotonin, the neurotransmitter of happiness and positive mood. The flavonoids in cacao have been shown to improve blood flow to the brain in young and old alike.
 
Spirulina is also an excellent source of tryptophan.