Art and food are very much related and one sometime, can replace the other. The fact is that when an artist creates a piece of artwork, compose music or listen to it, write or even dance; experiences feelings of pleasure which normally are triggered in the brain by certain food. These activities stimulate the brain and produce the needed amount of Dopamine and Serotonin for the well-being.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that serves as the chemical messenger in the nervous system and permits individual nerve fibers (neurons) to communicate with each other. Neurotransmitter is a chemical that is released from a nerve cell which thereby transmits an impulse from a nerve cell to another nerve, muscle, organ or other tissue. The dopamine neurotransmitter belongs to the class of compounds known as monoamines particularly to a subclass of chemicals called catecholamine. Dopamine acts either as an inhibitory mechanism or as an excitatory mechanism in the nervous system. This process depends on the location of dopamine neurons.

Serotonin is as important as Dopamine, why? It promotes and improves sleep, self-esteem, relieves depression, diminishes, cravings, prevents agitated depression and worrying. The serotoninergic system is known to modulate mood, emotion, sleep and appetite and thus is implicated in the control of numerous behavioral and physiological functions.

When we have enough Dopamine and Serotonin, we experience the following:

• Feelings of / contentment/enjoyment/pleasure

• Feelings of affection/attachment/ intimacy/love

• Sense of philanthropy (unselfish concern and feeling compassion for the welfare of others)

• Assimilation of thoughts and feelings

From experience, we notice the above when seeing genuine artists are happy upon creating artwork, have self-esteem, in a good mood, excited, energetic, calling for peace, caring for others, attached easily to others, sharing their love and passion, regardless of they do not make enough living from their artwork!

When we have deficiencies of both Dopamine and Serotonin, we experience the following:

• Anhedonia (lack of pleasure, enjoyment or satisfaction)

• Lack of ability to have the feel of love or sense of attachment with others.

• Lack of remorse about actions.

• Distractability in different ways.

How about the time when artists are not painting or what about most people who are not artists? How can they manage the balance of their moods and the common human feelings? Our brains need good amount of Dopamine and Serotonin which are found in Apples, Bananas, Beets, Chicken, eggs, Cheese, Cottage Cheese, Almonds, Chocolate, Fish and Strawberries.

From personal experience, I can sit straight for 13 hours painting and forget that I did not have a meal but only some juice or healthy snakes while still feeling full, energetic, content and happy. Not that I am a starving artist as still love and enjoy good food specially seafood and delicious desserts with chocolate or Amaretto! Who would like to join me! Stay healthy and happy.

© Mona Youssef - Realist fine artist