Get psyched!
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HAPPY CHEMICALS AND HOW TO KEEP THEM TOPPED UP. [ SHARMISHTA SARKAR ]
THE ANCIENT GREEKS called it ‘eudaimonia’, meaning ‘what we give to the world’. Happiness is, perhaps, best defined as the persistent, heady mix you get from putting pleasure, satisfaction and whole lot of other feelings together. And while we think happiness is just another emotion, albeit an important one, the human brain considers it to be a means to an end.
Happiness is the brain’s way of getting the body to do certain things, but it’s transient and — if the number of books on the subject is anything to go by — quite elusive. As far as the brain is concerned, the only way to be happy is to make sure there’s chemicals swirling around in the grey mass, chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins.
THE NEUROCHEMICALS OF HAPPINESS 1. DOPAMINE: THE REWARD MOLECULE
Pleasure is the short burst of happiness you feel when something unexpected happens, releasing dopamine into the brain, like having a great meal or getting a pay rise. This feeling is short lived and makes people seek it more and more, leading to addiction. While dopamine can lead to addictive behaviour, it’s all about setting a goal and working to achieve it.
2. OXYTOCIN: THE BONDING MOLECULE
Love — the bond between two people — is linked to the release of oxytocin in the brain. It’s even present in our systems when we have a cuddle with our pets. However, there is an ongoing debate on whether oxytocin affects men and women in the same way. There is a possibility that vasopressin (a hormone similar to oxytocin) could be the bonding molecule in men.
3. ENDORPHIN: THE PAINKILLING MOLECULE
Resembling opiates in their chemical structure and analgesic properties, endorphins are produced during strenuous physical activities and sexual intercourse. That sense of euphoria you get after a great workout, or after an orgasm, is linked to endorphins in the brain.
4. SEROTONIN: THE CONFIDENCE MOLECULE
This hormone isn’t solely responsible for us feeling confident. It performs multiple functions in the body, but high levels of serotonin is linked to people not feeling rejection too badly, bolstering self-esteem and a sense of wellbeing.
5. ADRENALINE: THE ENERGY MOLECULE
Also called epinephrine, this hormone releases bursts of energy which can be exhilarating. It’s associated with increased heart rate and blood pressure, giving you that familiar ‘rush’.
STAY TOPPED UP
None of the aforementioned hormones work in isolation. Our sense of happiness comes from a mix of them all. Certain situations warrant a different slurry of chemicals, and the quantity each individual requires differs. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula here, but there are things you can do to recharge your brain.
Start by setting yourself daily goals and make sure you achieve them. While you do that, make sure you set time aside for friends and family. Give someone a hug, laugh with them and get that oxytocin flowing. Lifestyle choices are important, too. While eating healthy is good, spicy food and plenty of exercise will release those very important endorphins. And don’t forget to spend time outdoors — you’ll fill your brain with serotonin.
THERE’S NO ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL FORMULA HERE, BUT THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO RECHARGE YOUR BRAIN.