It seems to reduce the feeling of happiness, emotional uplift, immense joy, bliss to biochemical processes in our brain is simply a sin. But, nevertheless, scientists argue that this is so. We owe all these feelings to a special substance. This hormone of happiness is called endorphin. Let's see what it is, where it is formed, and is it true that our mood depends on it.
“Hormones of joy” were discovered in the mid 70s of the last century. It turned out that in the cells of the brain their content is increased when a person experiences pleasure, happiness, joy. The first isolated substances were called enkephalins. They are produced in the cells of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The chemical structure of the hormone of happiness is similar to morphine. Not surprisingly, their effects are so similar. Now a whole group of such substances is known. They are united under the general name endorphins and have the same chemical structure. These are hormones of a protein nature, in the molecule of which enkephalin is necessarily present.
Endorphins are mediators of the so-called opiate receptors. They have an analgesic effect and cause a state of euphoria, pleasure, joy. With their help, the body, as it were, rewards itself for achieving the goals that it set for itself. Say, when you win the competition, with any success in life, when you eat delicious food, sweets, sex, endorphin, the hormone of happiness rises. Thanks to this, the pleasure center located in the brain receives a corresponding signal, and the person experiences pleasure, the degree of which is determined by the level of endorphins.
In addition to endorphins, the mood and vitality of a person are affected by serotonin and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that mediate the connection between brain neurons. With their severe deficiency, a condition called endogenous depression develops . It manifests itself in a lowered mood and negative worldview, sometimes leading a person to suicide.
Serotonin, which is formed in the pineal gland and in the cells of the digestive tract, causes a feeling of vivacity and joyful mood. Its predecessor, tryptophan, is ingested with food. There is a lot of it in chocolate, nuts, bananas, sweets, milk. Is it not so important to know what the hormone of happiness is called? More important is how you can increase it. In the case of serotonin, this is not difficult to do. I ate a chocolate bar and my mood improved a bit!
True, this happens only in a healthy person. In some cases, doctors have to prescribe antidepressants, mood-enhancing drugs, to achieve this effect.
But let's see how we can still raise the hormone of happiness in our blood. Firstly, it depends on ourselves, on our position in life. If a person is active, sets goals and achieves them, the production of endorphins increases by itself. Increases their level of bright sunlight (ultraviolet radiation). In cloudy autumn weather, it can be replaced by a trip to the solarium. Foods high in sugars and tryptophan, as well as delicious foods, can also boost your mood.
New experiences, music, works of art, singing, laughter, playing sports - all this naturally causes an increase in the level of endorphins. The question arises, is it possible to raise it artificially? It turns out you can. This is often done with alcohol, drugs, and smoking. Only in this case can it happen that the hormone of happiness ceases to be produced naturally. To be in a good mood, you will have to artificially stimulate its production all the time. What can this lead to - is it worth saying? Addicts, lovers of alcohol and nicotine, having lost their usual doping, experience excruciating discomfort.
A joyful mood, an active lifestyle, a change of impressions, anticipation of a pleasant event, happiness already raise the level of our endorphins. Nothing can replace what the brain can work out on its own. Be always active and cheerful!