Hormones of Happiness: 6 Substances Involved in the Chemical Formula of Joy

What are the hormones of happiness?

Happiness hormones depend on their activation through the brain and this activation can be achieved through psychotropic drugs or through other much simpler, natural and accessible processes for everyone. There are a series of natural processes that activate each happiness hormone as well as the function of each of them. Let’s learn how serotonin, endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin, epinephrine and melatonin work. Each of these brain hormones performs a task that allows us to experience happiness and joy in our daily lives.

The hormones of happiness one by one

As we have seen, there are several happiness hormones and each one affects our mood in a different way. While one hormone makes us sleep more and better, another improves our mood without realizing it. Let’s see what they are and what we can do to enhance each happiness hormone.

1. Serotonin, happiness hormone

The serotonin It is a substance that regulates our good mood and our pleasure in sexual relations. In addition, it is a happiness hormone that is altered with the increase in natural light, that is, the more light, the more release of serotonin Thus, in spring and summer it is released naturally with more intensity and its levels increase, providing us with a feeling of emotional well-being and general good mood. In many cases, serotonin and dopamine are closely related to the mood we present.

Serotonin also helps regulate sleep and sleep-wake and appetite cycles. The less serotonin, the more disturbed sleep and appetite, both to eat more and to eat less. This substance is secreted in the organs of the digestive system and, therefore, when we are hungry, we are in a bad mood. Furthermore, the fact that serotonin released in the stomach is why sadness is felt in this area of ​​the body in the form of nerves in the stomach and appetite is affected in depressive states.

Generally, when there is a low mood, the levels of one of these brain hormones are affected. To facilitate the release of this happiness hormone it’s good to sunbathe and be exposed to natural light at least a few minutes a day in addition to practicing physical exercise (if it is in daylight even better) since it helps the release of its precursor, tryptophan, and eating foods such as milk or corn.

• To know more: Why do I get depressed in winter?

Serotonin effects

Although we all know the relationship between serotonin and happiness the reality is that this hormone not only acts on our mood, but actually has effects on the following:

• Intestine: The serotonin It is mainly found in the stomach and intestines of the body.
• Nausea: The serotonin It is also one of the reasons we feel nauseated.
• Cheer up: It is known as the happiness hormone or molecule because its presence in the brain has effects on anxiety, happiness and mood.
• Dream: The serotonin molecule It is also responsible for the control of sleep and wakefulness.
• Blood clotting: The serotonin It also influences the healing of our wounds.
• Bone health: Another of the serotonin effects It’s in our bone health.
• Sexual function: The high serotonin levels They are associated with a reduction in our libido.

Can serotonin be increased naturally?

There are ways to make our serotonin increase. For example, having a healthy lifestyle as well as practicing meditation daily can help us increase serotonin naturally

• You can learn more about sertonin here: Serotonin: Why is it known as the ‘happiness hormone’?

2. Endorphins, the hormones of pleasure

The endorphins They are another hormone of happiness and are responsible for masking pain and discomfort. They also promote calm, generate emotional well-being, improve mood, delay aging and boost the immune system. Furthermore, this is what helps us overcome when we believe that we cannot achieve something. When you play sports, endorphins are the stimulating substances that are secreted when you think you can no longer continue and a “shot of energy” occurs that you don’t know where it comes from.

Therefore, for secrete natural endorphins It can be done by practicing sports, laughing out loud and being silly (that’s why they say that laughing helps not age prematurely and prevent diseases), dancing, singing, painting, shaping, running, swimming, playing like a child, taking a relaxing bath, spa sessions, eating chocolate and spicy food, having sex, interacting with others or meditating.

• More information: Smile: it costs nothing and has many benefits

Endorphins and happiness

Many people also call endorphins like the hormones of happiness because they have a very relevant role in achieving more positive emotions. The reason for this is that endorphin is a hormone that reduces our body’s sensation of pain, something that greatly influences our perception of a feeling of well-being.

Types of endorphins

There are three different types of endorphins: enkephalins, beta-endorphins and dynorphins. The first of them has the function of combating pain and therefore exerts a certain analgesic effect. Beta-endorphins have the ability to increase the release of prolactin and growth hormones. Finally, dynorphins are an endogenous opioid that our body generates.

3. Dopamine, satisfaction hormone

The dopamine It is related to the pleasure centers of the brain, which provide a pleasant and pleasant sensation to activate motivation when carrying out certain activities in addition to promoting attention, memory and the ability to solve problems. This is why dopamine and happiness are closely related.

One way to increase natural dopamine levels is to reduce the consumption of sugar, alcohol and caffeine, substances that lower the levels of this hormone. When dopamine is low, it is easier to become addicted to any of these substances mentioned above.

How to increase dopamine?

Consuming chocolate, banana, apple, green tea or blueberries can help us increase dopamine levels. On the other hand, physical exercise, meditation and listen to music They facilitate the release of this precious hormone.

• You may be interested: How to deal with binge eating?

Dopamine and serotonin

Research around the functions they have serotonin and dopamine have shown that these two neurotransmitters or hormones have functions far beyond happiness or satisfaction. In fact, it has been proven that both are related to the brain process that allows us to interpret the information that comes from the senses and the perception we have around our reality.

4. Oxytocin, love hormone

Oxytocin is known as love hormone, which is responsible for secreting chemical substances when pampering, caresses or hugs are given or received. It is released when we have close contact with others, including eye contact with other people, when they listen to us and pay attention and provides the facility to establish stronger social bonds with others. Oxytocin promotes the capacity for empathy and belonging to a group as well as security and confidence in creating strong emotional bonds.

How to increase our body’s natural oxytocin?

To stimulate and favor the segregation of this happiness hormone, there are certain foods that can help thanks to the activation of the vagus nerve. These substances are: thyme, peppermint, chocolate, rosemary and parsley. On the other hand, listen to music, take a relaxing walk, walk, give and receive massages, show appreciation for others, laugh, talk to people, practice yoga or breathing and relaxation exercises, touch a pet, have sex, hug , kissing or touching someone also help the release of oxytocin naturally.

• More information: You want to be happy? hug more

Oxytocin in men

Many men are interested in increasing their level of oxycitacin because this hormone helps arouse sexual arousal as well as making them maintain their erections.

5. Epinephrine, action hormone

Or as we commonly know it, adrenalin The release of this happiness hormone occurs after the increase in heart rate, blood pressure and blood sent to the muscles of the extremities when we are exposed to risky situations. For this reason, adrenaline is a means of survival in times of stress and can be very useful in getting out of dangerous situations.

He increased adrenaline or epinephrine It makes us feel a boost of energy that adds vitality and good mood and subsequently provides a feeling of pleasure and relaxation to the body. It is the perfect solution for routine or boredom and the natural way to release it is very simple although it cannot usually be carried out regularly. The ideal way to benefit from this happiness hormone is by going on roller coasters, practicing extreme sports, watching horror movies, playing stimulating video games, practicing interval sports, doing unroutine and challenging things, or consuming foods rich in sugar or caffeine.

• You may be interested: What is “crash therapy”?

6. Melatonin, sleep hormone

Melatonin is known as sleep hormone The production of this happiness hormone occurs mainly at night and is reduced throughout the day. It is responsible for adjusting sleep-wake patterns according to the time of year (hence we feel spring asthenia, for example, since with more hours of light per day, less melatonin and more fatigue).

Besides, melatonin, which is part of the so-called happiness hormones, is an antioxidant and therefore protects our cells. Eating pineapple, orange, oatmeal, rice, potatoes, dairy products or tomatoes help to release it, as well as taking walks in nature barefoot (whether on the beach or on the grass in a meadow), sleeping in a dark room, practicing sports and expose yourself to natural light during the day.

• To know more: Insomnia, how to definitively stop it

Now you know what are the hormones of happiness responsible for our good or bad mood and how to improve it through different activities and consuming certain foods that help the release of these chemicals. It’s time to get into practice!

• If you are a professional psychologist and