How happiness affects the brain

There has been increased scientific focus on the direct impact of happiness on the human brain. When you understand what’s going on in your brain, you can begin to influence it to your benefit. You can stimulate more happy chemicals when you know the job they evolved to do and what causes their release for you.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that’s created in the brain as well as in the intestines. Once produced, it’s circulated in the blood and throughout the central nervous system. Serotonin is linked to digestion, blood clotting, and bone density, but its most important function in terms of what makes us happy is regulating mood. Some scientists even refer to serotonin as the “happiness chemical” because higher serotonin levels increase feelings of well-being, confidence, and belonging. People with higher serotonin levels report being happier, demonstrating higher self-esteem levels, and having an easier time handling rejection. Humans are social animals, and being around others is what causes happiness for many of us. There’s a scientific reason for that: Serotonin is more free-flowing when you feel important or valued by those around you. When you’re experiencing serotonin happiness, it takes no effort to feel joyful – it just seems to happen naturally. Cuddling with your partner, aerobic exercise, getting out in the sunshine, getting a massage, and even visualizing something that makes you happy can all increase serotonin levels.

Dopamine is another neurotransmitter made in the brain and distributed through various pathways to affect bodily functions like heart rate, blood vessel and kidney function, nausea, vomiting, and even pain. It also motivates you to take action and encourages the persistence required to meet your needs, seek reward, or approach a goal. The anticipation of the reward is actually what triggers a dopamine good feeling in your brain, causing it to release the energy you need to move towards the reward. Then, you get another pleasure hit when you successfully meet the need. You can stimulate the good feeling of dopamine by embracing a new goal and breaking it down into achievable steps, rather than only allowing your brain to celebrate when you hit the finish line. Dopamine is a big part of what causes happiness – and like serotonin, you can increase its levels naturally. Exercise plays a part again here, as well as avoiding processed foods, sugar, and caffeine. But the best way to keep dopamine levels high is a good night’s sleep.

Oxytocin is a hormone and a neurotransmitter that is involved in childbirth and breastfeeding. It is also associated with empathy, trust, sexual activity, and relationship-building. It is sometimes referred to as the “love hormone” because levels of oxytocin increase during hugging and orgasm. Oxytocin is released through closeness with another person and helps to create intimacy and trust and build healthy relationships. It is essential for creating and maintaining strong bonds and improved social interactions.