Hormones and neurotransmitters are two different types of signalling molecules – that means they carry messages around the body (Purves et al., 2001). Hormones and neurotransmitters are not the same thing although in some instances they can be the same chemical (Chaudhuri, 2018):

• Neurotransmitters belong to the nervous system, whereas hormones belong to the endocrine system.
• Neurotransmitters travel through neuronal connections, while hormones are carried in the blood.
• Hormones are produced by endocrine glands while neurotransmitters are produced by neurons.
• Neurotransmitters travel very short distances to specific postsynaptic cells (where one neuron ends and another neuron or cell begins) or to other cells, whereas hormones can travel quite far throughout the body.
• Neurotransmitters send their signals very quickly – up to a few milliseconds. The effect of hormones last longer – from a few seconds up to a few days.

There are so many different kinds of hormones and neurotransmitters in the body, so  we will cover the ones most relevant to SOMA Breath.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a hormone that is produced in the hypothalamus. Located in the midbrain, the hypothalamus is also responsible for our circadian rhythms and regulating our body temperature (and more) (“What is Oxytocin?”, 2018).

Widely reduced to being the “love hormone” oxytocin is associated with much more than that: feelings of trust, recognition, bonding, sexual arousal, orgasm, and maternal behaviours all require oxytocin. Oxytocin is involved in childbirth and lactation, and it is also thought to play a much larger role in social behaviour than previously acknowledged (“What is Oxytocin?”, 2018).

Oxytocin does a lot for us, but oxytocin’s biggest role in SOMA is neuroplasticity. When oxytocin is released, it allows our brain to change as we create new neural pathways. That means we can rewire limiting beliefs, change habits that aren’t in our highest good, and generally improve our mood on a day-to-day basis. This rewiring happens naturally when we fall in love with our partner or when we instantly fall in love with our children (Froemke & Carcea, 2017).

In SOMA we consciously increase the amount of oxytocin released into our bodies by raising our Level Of Vibrational Energy (L.O.V.E.) and embodying feelings of gratitude and universal love to create a heightened emotional state (Petrocchi & Couyoumdjian, 2016).

Serotonin

Serotonin is a chemical that is widely believed to be a neurotransmitter, but some consider it a hormone. Most serotonin is produced in our gastrointestinal area – hence the gut-brain connection – and it is also produced in the central nervous system (McIntosh, 2018).

Serotonin plays a large role in regulating mood, so it is often labelled the “happy chemical”. But serotonin also plays an important role in transmitting messages between nerve cells, regulating appetite, bowel movements, blood clotting and healing wounds, and in motor, cognitive, and autonomic functions. Serotonin also plays a part in patience and impulsivity (Miyazaki et al., 2012).

Some serotonin neurons are activated by CO₂ (Buchanan & Ricerson, 2010), which means SOMA Breath techniques could positively contribute to the activation and increase of serotonin. Serotonin is also released into our system when we activate the Mula Bandha.

Dopamine

Dopamine is another neurotransmitter, produced in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. The dopamine produced in these two parts of the brain actually take different roles in the body: coordinating movement and activating our internal rewards system respectively (Brookshire, 2017).

Dopamine also plays a role in learning, sleep, concentration, emotional responses, and addiction. Low dopamine levels are linked to low mood, low libido, and depression (Dunlop & Nemeroff, 2007). High dopamine levels are linked to more positive beliefs by reducing negative expectations about the future (optimism bias) (Sharot et al., 2012).

Every time we contract the Mula Bandha in an Awakening Session, it causes an increase of serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. SOMA Breath techniques are accompanied by music, which is directly linked to increased levels of dopamine (Blood & Zatorre, 2001; Koelsch, 2014). Similarly, meditation has been shown to increase dopamine levels too (Kjaer et al., 2002).

Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

Adrenaline is the “fight or flight” hormone, produced mostly in the brain in an area called the medulla. In a stressful situation, it takes just a few minutes for adrenaline to enter your bloodstream (“Adrenaline”, 2018).

Adrenaline triggers the fight or flight response. It causes the airways to dilate so that more oxygen can be supplied to your muscles, it also increases blood flow to areas like the heart and lungs.

Adrenaline reduces your body’s ability to sense pain, making you more resilient, and it increases your strength and performance. It can also increase your awareness of your surroundings.

Adrenaline also comes into play during the rapid breathing in the final round of breathing exercises during an Awakening Ceremony (Ranawat et al., 2015; Ehrmann, n. d.). Breathing exercises reduce the chronic activation of the fight or flight response, leading to better long-term health (Patel, n. d.).

Cortisol

Cortisol is a steroid hormone and it is produced in the adrenal glands. Cortisol is often labelled the “stress hormone”, but it is not only released during stress. Almost every cell in the body has cortisol receptors because it has so many functions in the body. For example, cortisol is important in regulating metabolism, memory, reducing inflammation, and controlling blood pressure (“Cortisol”, 2019).

Cortisol is produced as a response to the release of adrenaline into the body. Cortisol interacts with the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which helps trigger the healing response in the body (Kunz-Ebrecht et al., 2003), but this is also why elevated stress levels can slow down healing time (Christian et al., 2006). Cortisol plays an important role in the healing effects of SOMA Breath.

If you or any participants feel concerned about the stress hormones released during SOMA techniques, please know that the body has a feedback system which reduces cortisol release at a certain level – that means the stress response will be switched off before causing any stress damage on the body (Peters et al., 2017; Gjerstad, 2018; “Cortisol”, 2019).

Acetylcholine

Acetylcholine is the body’s most abundant and important neurotransmitter. It is found in our central and peripheral nervous systems.

Regarding the peripheral nervous system (outside of the brain and spinal cord), every single movement in the body involves acetylcholine – voluntary or involuntary – from running, jumping, or blinking, right down to your heart beat and the movement of your other internal organs.

In the central nervous system (the nervous system of the brain and spinal cord), acetylcholine is associated with motivation, attention, memory, learning, and arousal (Cherry, 2019).

In a SOMA Awakening Ceremony, acetylcholine is released when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated. Acetylcholine is what slows down your heart rate, relaxes the smooth muscles in your body, and encourages vasodilation (dilating blood vessels, decreasing blood pressure) (Singh et al., 2009; Ramya 2018).