Happiness is often an emotional state marked by emotions of pleasure, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfilment. Ever wonder what triggers feelings of happiness, closeness, and joy? It’s the magic of brain chemicals!
The foundation of the positive emotions you experience daily rests upon four core chemicals: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins, collectively known as D.O.S.E. By gaining a basic understanding of how these chemicals function, we can make better-informed decisions about whether the latest trends will enhance or detract from our happiness.
According to a study, at least 1 in 3 people in the world who were surveyed in 2020 were unhappy. That’s a huge portion of the population. People with clinical depression have increased levels of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A). This is an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters.
What are happy chemicals?
- Dopamine: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced by the hypothalamus, a small region of the brain that helps you feel pleasure. It’s an important part in your reward system, meaning the brain releases dopamine when you do things that feel good or pleasurable or when you complete a task.
- Serotonin: Serotonin is another neurotransmitter produced when you feel satisfaction or importance. It also helps regulate your sleep, appetite, and mood. Many anti-depressant medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) that help boost levels of serotonin.
- Oxytocin: Love and connection-inducing oxytocin is a hormone generated by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. The brain may release oxytocin, sometimes referred to as the “cuddle hormone,” during maternal behaviours like birthing or nursing.
- Endorphins: Endorphins are opioid peptides produced by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands that operate as neurotransmitters. They trigger positive feelings when you do something you enjoy.
How to release chemicals of happiness?
Dopamine: The reward chemical
- Practice healthy sleep habits: Practicing healthy sleep habits can be easier said than done, but most people need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night for healthy brain functioning.
- Pay attention to “gut health.”: The significance of the digestive system in generating neurotransmitters like dopamine is still being studied by researchers. Consuming probiotics may help to enhance or restore gut health, according to several research.
- Listen to music you enjoy. Music has been found to increase activity in areas of the brain associated with the reward and pleasure systems. In particular, if a piece of music creates an emotional response like giving you chills, it may increase your dopamine levels.
Serotonin: The love hormone
- Socialize with loved ones: Socializing is imperative for many aspects of wellness. According to researches, spending time with loved ones can even increase serotonin levels.
- Spending time with animals: Cuddle your pet or try volunteering at an animal shelter for an extra boost of serotonin.
- Help others: Helping others feels good for a reason: Research has shown that kindness can increase serotonin as well as oxytocin and dopamine.
Oxytocin: The mood stabilizer
- Meditating: A regular meditation routine may help you feel less stressed and anxious, happier, and more compassionate towards others and yourself. These outcomes may significantly improve your feeling of connection and strengthen your interpersonal connections.
- Running: We can assume that our brains release oxytocin during long runs (exactly how long is not known). And animal studies have shown that exercise-induced oxytocin surges result in improved social bonding.
- Walk in nature: By spending more time outdoors, we can enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of nature, while also getting more in touch with our wild roots.
Endorphins: The pain killer
- Regular exercise: It is well known that exercise elevates mood. Everyone is aware that regular exercise has a variety of additional advantages.
- Cold shower: Your brain receives a lot of electrical signals from the chilly water. They shock your system, boosting your levels of energy, clarity, and alertness. Additionally, endorphins, popularly known as the “happiness hormones,” are produced. Feelings of optimism and well-being are brought on by this influence.
- Massage: In the middle of the 1970s, researchers discovered that these brain neurotransmitters had pain-relieving abilities comparable to those of morphine.
Although everyone’s definition of happiness is unique, our life experiences and other external elements including social standing, education, professional popularity, health, obligations, and accomplishments may contribute to improving our quality of life. Some of these can work in concert to support your success, while others would need a significant amount of commitment. However, everyone can succeed in some aspect of their life, giving them the highest opportunity of feeling satisfied and happy in the future.
