4 HAPPY HORMONES IN OUR BRAIN

 

4 HORMONES IN OUR BRAIN 

That Promote Happiness

The human brain is the command center for the 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:

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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:

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:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Fatigue
• Osteoporosis
• Digestive problems (irritable bowel syndrome)

The graphic above illustrates the relationship between serotonin and the various parts of the brain, as well as its pathway in the brain.

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3.0    OXYTOCIN

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.

The graphic above illustrates the relationship between oxytocin and the various parts of the brain

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 pain
• An increased risk of depression and anxiety
• Moodiness
• Addiction
• Trouble sleeping

The graphic above illustrates the relationship between oxytocin and the various parts of the brain

The figures below illustrate how various different hormones are linked to one another as well as the potential outcomes that may occur as a result of a deficiency or an excessive level of one or more hormones.

" Biology gives you a brain, but life turns it into a mind" - Jeffrey Eugenides 

Prepared by/Editor: Nurul Izzati Bt Azhar 

Position: Internship Student from UKM 

References 

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