nervous system and not only brain is a complex organ, but it has at least three
levels of functions that affect all aspects of our daily lives: interpretation of
senses and control of movement; maintenance of cognitive, mental, and emotional
processes; and maintenance of normal behavior and social cognition (14). According
to research, there are four primary brain chemicals (hormones) that are
responsible for a substantial portion of an individual’s level of happiness.
Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins are the names of the four
chemicals that are found in the brain.
1. DOPAMINE
Dopamine,
also known as the “happy hormone” and sometimes “love hormone” is
responsible for producing sensations of general well-being. As a
neurotransmitter, dopamine is what drives us on toward our objectives (2 & 12). When
we complete a task or achieve a goal, our brain releases dopamine that makes us
feel a sense of satisfaction (or pleasure) as a reward for our efforts
(2). When someone likes your Instagram post, when you check off a
box, or when you do a minor chore, your brain releases a chemical called
dopamine. Dopamine is essential for human motivation, and without it, early
humans would not have been able to invest in long-term goals like the hunt for
large mammals. Dopamine is what gets you through your to-do list or gets you
started on a new routine these days.
However,
on the other hand, having a level of dopamine that is too low is not healthy.
And having a level of dopamine that is too high is also not healthy. The comparison can be seen in the illustration below:
The graphic above illustrates the relationship between dopamine and the various parts of the brain, as well as its pathway in the brain.
2. SEROTONIN
Serotonin
(5HT) is a neurotransmitter that
mediated satisfaction, happiness and optimism and has been linked to a variety
of different emotions. We can thank serotonin, for being a hormone that helps
us feel good about ourselves and the world around us. Low levels of serotonin
in the brain may cause depression, anxiety, and sleep trouble. Many doctors
will prescribe a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to treat
depression. Most modern antidepressants, a class of drugs called selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), increase the amount of serotonin that
may enter brain cells to help with depression. To what extent does serotonin
play a role in emotional well-being, though? Studies have shown that an
increase in serotonin levels is linked to an improvement in mood (7).
The
neurotransmitter serotonin is responsible for the good feelings we get from
accomplishing something or getting praise from other people. One such event
could be getting a degree, completing a race, or the recognition of one’s
efforts at work. Powerful, upbeat feelings can be triggered by serotonin. Beyond
its effects on mood and well-being, serotonin is involved in a wide variety of
vital physiological processes. The development of internal organs, as well as
gastrointestinal and skeletal systems, may be affected.
However,
you may not be aware of the many ways in which it impacts your life. Serotonin
deficiency can have serious consequences for both mental and physical health. When
serotonin doesn’t function normally in the body, it’s called a deficit. This
may occur if your body either does not make enough serotonin or is unable to
effectively utilize the serotonin it does have. A lack of serotonin has been related to a variety of behavioral and psychological problems, as shown in the illustration below:
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Nevertheless,
the symptoms of low serotonin levels vary from person to person. Studies by
Cowen and Browning (2015), for instance, suggest that while persons with a
history of depression may be more susceptible to the negative effects of low
serotonin levels, those who have never experienced depression may be less so. Given
how many things serotonin does in the body, it’s not surprising that serotonin
deficiency has also been linked to many health problems, such as:
ObesityDiabetesCardiovascular diseaseFatigueOsteoporosisDigestive problems (irritable bowel syndrome)
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·
Oxytocin
promotes the production of endorphins and the outward display of enjoyment,
allowing you to relax and cease feeling uncomfortable in social encounters. Oxytocin
is produced in both the brain and blood (16&17). The brain
chemical oxytocin is commonly called the “hugging chemical” due to
its release during physical touch with other people (12). Many experts
believe that oxytocin is the “trust hormone” since it is released in
the brain when we feel safe and confident in another person, and distrust will
result in lower oxytocin levels (16&17).
Just
how can one raise oxytocin levels? In most cases, engaging in pleasurable
social interactions is the most effective approach to boost this hormone’s
production. A few examples are, collaborating on a project, eating together,
exchanging presents, revealing one’s true feelings, attentively listening, and
offering long hugs. The wonderful thing about oxytocin is that its effects are
typically reciprocal. Hugging
someone for an extended period of time releases oxytocin in both parties
involved. A kind gesture delivers a
little oxytocin to both you and the gift-receiver. If you’re looking for
contentment in life, oxytocin might be your best ally. It has the potential to
alleviate stress, strengthen interpersonal bonds, and plant the seeds for
enduring feelings of joy. A few studies suggest oxytocin may aid in the
physical healing of wounds (4).
However,
at the moment, it’s not clear what would happen if you had too much oxytocin.
High levels have been linked to benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition that affects
the prostate in more than half of men over 60. This may make it hard to
urinate. Changing the amount of oxytocin in the body could be a way to treat
this condition, but more research is needed before any possible treatments are
available. In the same way, it is not clear at this time if having too little
oxytocin in the body has any effects. If a nursing mother didn’t have enough
oxytocin, she wouldn’t have the milk-ejection reflex and couldn’t nurse. Autism
and autistic spectrum disorders (like Asperger syndrome) have been linked to
low oxytocin levels. One of the main symptoms of these disorders is poor social
functioning. Some scientists think that these disorders could be treated with
oxytocin. Low oxytocin has also been linked to depression, and it has been
suggested that it could be used to treat depression. But there isn’t enough
evidence to support using it for any of these problems right now.
4.0 ENDORPHINS
Endorphins
are chemicals produced naturally by the nervous system to cope with pain or stress.
They are often called “feel-good” chemicals because they can act as pain
relievers and happiness boosters. Endorphins are naturally occurring substances
that are created by the body to combat pain and stress. They
work similarly to a class of drugs called opioids. Opioids reduce the sensation
of pain and can also cause euphoria in certain people. After surgery or for
treating chronic pain, they are occasionally recommended for usage on a
temporary basis. Constant activity, fear, love, music, eating chocolate,
laughing, romance, the climax, and so on all trigger the release of endorphins.
When endorphin levels were high, the body experienced less pain, and when
endorphin levels were low, happiness was dampened (10). The release of
endorphins encourages us to challenge our physical limits and keep going even
when we don’t feel like it.
Walking, running, workouts, laughing
exercise, meditating, and listening to music are all recommended by doctors for
the treatment of a variety of illnesses because they cause or stimulate the
production of endorphins, which boost a person’s sense of well-being,
happiness, and strength (10). Because of them, beginning a gym
program can help you unwind after a stressful day. Endorphins are extremely
helpful because of how reliable they are. Endorphins have been hypothesized to
be responsible for the feel-good effect of a good belly laugh. Some
“pain” in the form of abdominal muscular contractions is all that’s
needed to trigger the production of feel-good endorphins.
Somehow,
according to Palmisano & Pandey (2017); Savic et al. (2015), and Pilozzi, Carro
& Huang (2020), not having enough endorphins in your system can put you at
risk for a number of medical issues such as:
Increased aches and painAn increased risk of
depression and anxietyMoodinessAddictionTrouble sleeping
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