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Sex, Sugar, Salt – Why we crave it

It’s natural response to want sex, sugar, or salt. The body wants to have sex to reproduce and create offspring. The body’s cells need sugar for energy and salts to control movement of water. 

To understand the natural urge to want sex, sugar, and salt we need to dive deeper into the endocrine system and the organ that produces the hormone that create this response.

The adrenal gland, located on top of each kidney, assists the body coping with stress. When the body experiences stress the adrenal glands secrete the hormone adrenaline. It’s adrenaline that makes the body want sex, sugar, salt, which can offer the body a temporary boost of pleasure followed by a crash. What comes up must come down, figuratively and literally! 

 

If the body is already severely depleted, the crash is not going to be fun and it cause more harm than good within the body. When the body is well taken care of the pleasures of sex, sugar, and salt can fully be enjoyed in a restful and heartfelt way instead of acting from a place of stress from the mind. This is where an Ayurvedic approach to balancing the body and mind come into play by looking at lifestyle and food choices.

Stressed adrenal glands can come from staying up too late and dehydration. Ayurvedic knowledge teaches us to do opposite of what is causing stress.

For example:

“Stay up too late?” --> “Go to bed earlier.”

“Dehydrated?” --> “Drink at least 7-8 cups of water per day”

"Eating Processed foods?" ---> "Eat more fresh organic foods"

I know this can be easier said then done.

So, here’s some general creative support that I can offer you.

Intention: "I want to go to bed earlier." 

  • Drink a warm herbal nighttime tea to wind down. 
  • Reframe from TV or phone use after 8pm and instead draw, do light reading, write what you are thankful for. 
  • Do legs up the wall and take slow deep breaths for 10-20 minutes. (Avoid if you are on your moon cycle) 
  • Rub warm oil on your body starting from head to feet. Strokes going towards the heart followed by a warm bath. 

Intention: "I want to drink more water throughout the day." 

  • Get a water bottle and figure out how much water it holds so each time you finish the bottle you will know how much water you had. Example, 16oz = 2 cups of water. 
  • Drink two cups of water upon awaking. 
  • Make a reminder on your phone to drink water. 

Intention: "I want to eat foods that will help me to stay calm" 



Sources:

Applegate, Edith J. Study Guide for the Anatomy and Physiology Learning System, Third Edition. Saunders Elsevier, 2006.

Telpner, Meghan. “Long-Term Effects of Abusing Our Stress Hormones.” Undiet: the Shiny, Happy, Vibrant, Gluten-Free, Plant-Based Way to Look Better, Feel Better, and Live Better Each and Every Day!, Skirt!, an Imprint of Globe Pequot Press, 2013.

 

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