The brain responds to various impulses by producing hormones. These chemical messengers travel through the blood to different parts of the body, where they activate functions and feelings. The hormones dopamine, serotonin, endorphins and oxytocin are known as the happiness hormones.
Understanding how these chemicals are naturally activated can be very helpful. Here’s how you can trigger the production of each of the happiness hormones yourself – and what that does to you.
Reward yourself with dopamine
Research shows that dopamine primarily acts as a reward system for the brain. The production of dopamine can be stimulated in all kinds of ways, for example by giving in to a craving for chocolate, finishing a task, going for a jog or pampering yourself with a hot shower. The release of dopamine creates a feeling of joy and a desire to try the activity or food again.
The use of some drugs and alcohol can also cause a surge of dopamine and lead to a feeling of euphoria. “But repeated use of these drugs can lead to a long-term dopamine deficit, similar to clinical depression,” says Anna Lembke, a physician and professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine. That is why it is better to stimulate the release of the hormone naturally, for example through exercise. “That way, dopamine levels rise gradually and remain elevated for a long time after the activity.”
Stabilizing serotonin
Serotonin is known as a natural pick-me-up because of its low concentrations of the neurotransmitter have been associated with depression. Research also shows that this hormone affects memory, helps with learning and provides relaxation.
Although small amounts of serotonin are made in the brainstem, the hormone is “largely produced by special cells in the gut,” says Emeran Mayer, director of the G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience at the University of California, Los Angeles.
By Sun tanningsports or meditate a natural dose of serotonin can be elicited. Also the eating foods containing tryptophanan amino acid that is one of the main building blocks of serotonin, helps in the production of serotonin. Tryptophan can be found, among other things in bananas, milk, fish, dark chocolate, cheese, grains, nuts and seeds.
Laughter for endorphins
Endorphins are the natural pain relievers of the body,” says Loretta Graziano Breuning, a professor at California State University. Besides hiding pain, also shows that endorphins can lead to less stress and a better mood.
Physical exertion and entertainment – for example by listening to music or watching a movie – provide a boost in endorphins. Another way to provoke this hormone is laughter. ‘Laughing out loud stimulates deep muscles that are not often activated, which provides a small dose of endorphins,’ Breuning explains.
Endorphins are often associated with the aforementioned runner’s highbut research points out that the euphoria after running is probably caused by another biochemical – endocannabinoids – also made in the body.
Connected by oxytocin
Research has shown that the main function of oxytocin is to help mothers with labor, the postpartum period and breastfeeding. Furthermore, the substance – which is also known as the love hormone – provides better social interactions and motivates people to make deeper connections with others.
Physical touch, such as holding hands, cuddling, massaging, or engaging in sexual activity, stimulates the release of oxytocin. A boost of this substance can also be obtained by having conversations, doing something for someone else or pay attention to a pet.
Online editor National Geographic
Myrthe Prins has been working as a journalist for over ten years – she wrote travel stories for Traveler, was a reporter for the PZC and interviewed numerous researchers for her science column in National Geographic Magazine. In addition to her work as an online editor, she writes poetry and prose, learns new languages and helps her team escape from escape rooms.
2023-08-18 12:13:54
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