Massage increases the production of the neurotransmitters

• A. serotonin and dopamine
• B. norepinephrine and acetylcholine
• C. GABA and glutamate
• D. endorphins and epinephrine

Answer: (A)

Massage can shift brain chemistry by boosting mood-regulating chemicals. The most consistent finding is an increase in serotonin and dopamine, which are central to feeling calm, satisfied, and motivated. Serotonin helps stabilize mood, supports better sleep, and reduces anxiety, while dopamine is linked to pleasure and reward, contributing to an overall sense of well-being after a session. This combination helps explain why many people feel calmer and more content, with reduced perception of stress and pain following massage.

Other neurotransmitter pairs don’t align as clearly with the typical mood and relaxation effects of massage. Norepinephrine and acetylcholine are more tied to alertness, arousal, and peripheral signaling than to the calming, mood-boosting impact described. GABA and glutamate are fundamental for brain excitability balance but aren’t the primary players in the observed mood elevation from massage. Endorphins can increase, supporting pain relief, but epinephrine (adrenaline) is associated with stress responses, which massage generally dampens rather than amplifies. The serotonin and dopamine combination best captures the mood-enhancing effect of massage.