Positive Psychology: Biological Basis of Happiness

Biological Basis of Happiness

• Neuroscientists and psychologists have started to investigate the brain states associated with ^^happiness components^^ and to consider the relation to ^^well-being^^

• As well as the ^^neuroanatomy of pleasure^^ which elicits ^^positive feelings^^

  

• Brain’s hedonic networks, and speculated on the potential interaction of ^^hedonics with eudaimonic^^ networks

• Understand how brain works underlying ^^fundamental pleasure relate to higher pleasures^^, such as music, dance, play, and flow to contribute to happiness

Genetic Factors

• In a comprehensive investigation, happiness (subjective well-being) was measured in a birth-record based sample of several thousand middle-aged twins using the well-being scale of Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire
• Twin studies suggested that ^^genetic factors count for 35-50% of happiness^^
• ^^44-52% of the variance^^ in well-being were ^^associated with genetic variation^^
• When twins have been retested after few years, authors fund that the ^^heritability^^ of the stable component of ^^subjective well-being approaches 80%^^

Genes

• Molecular genes open a new way to neurobiology markers of happiness
• 5-HTTLPR (Serotonin Transporter Polymorphism)
  • This gene is coding serotonin distribution in brain cells and therefore leads to ^^mood regulation^^
• MAO-A (Monoamine Oxidase)
  • gene that involved in ^^regulating happiness^^
  • located on chromosome X involved in mood regulation and it is a catabolic enzyme for ^^serotonin, dopamine, and nonadrenalin^^

The Brain and its Emotional Circuitry

Brain and Neurotransmitters

• Thoughts, feelings, activities, learning and love, all conducted by brain including mood and emotions
• The brain weighs over a kilogram (2.2 lbs) and has a estimated 86 billion neurons
• Signals are transmitted along each nerve electrically, by gradients of charged ions, and ^^each neuron makes hundreds of connections to those around it.^^

Parts of the Brain

• Limbic System
  • has the most influence on ^^identifying the form of emotions^^
  • memory processing, decision-making, motivation, processing of information
  • ^^increasing metabolism^^ of limbic system leads to ^^depression in individuals^^
• Prefrontal Cortex
  • involved in ^^emotion processing^^, shows asymmetric activation in relation to positive and negative emotions
• Basal Ganglia
  • planning and coordination of movement
  • reward and reinforcement
  • responsive to positive emotional stimuli
  • damage to part of the basal ganglia, known as the ventral pallidum, causes anhedonia -- the inability to ^^experience pleasure^^

Emotional Circuitry of the Brain

Hedonic Hotspots

• Nucleus accumbens, ventral pallidum, orbitofrontal, cingulate, medial prefrontal and insular cortices
• Brain Stem
  • pleasure-activated brain networks that are widespread

Neurotransmitters

• A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that carries, boosts, and balances signal between neurons and target cells throughout the body
• Neurotransmitter molecules work constantly to keep our brains functioning, managing everything from our breathing to our heartbeat to our learning and concentration levels.
• They can also affect a variety of psychological functions such as ^^fear, mood, pleasure, and joy.^^

Chemicals that make you Happy

Serotonin

• ^^mood stabilizer^^
• more sensitive to diet than any other neurotransmitter
• correlated with ^^satisfaction, happiness, and optimism^^
• serotonin levels are reduced in depression, and most modern antidepressant drugs (serotonin uptake inhibitors/SSRIs)
• research indicated that ^^increase of serotonin level was related to positive mood^^

Dopamine

• ^^the “reward” chemical^^
• released during pleasurable situations
• ^^positive mood^^ is associated with (but not necessarily caused by) increased levels of dopamine in the brain
• ^^changes in cognition^^ observed in positive mood are due to the ^^increased dopamine^^ levels associated with positive mood

Norepinephrine

• Antidepressants such as the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (Reboxetine) also reduce positive emotional perceptual bias in healthy subjects
• Norepinephrine positively colors the ^^emotional perception of facial expressions^^ in humans

Endorphins

• works as a ^^painkiller^^
• released after exercise
• natural rewards circuits
• Endorphins also surge during pregnancy
• they ^^minimize discomfort and pain and maximize pleasure^^
• this helps us to continue functioning despite injury or stress

Oxytocin

• the ^^“love” hormone^^

• released during sex, childbirth, and lactation

• oxytocin creates ^^intimacy, trust, and builds healthy relationships^^

• the cultivation of oxytocin is essential for creating strong bonds and improved social interactions

• released during intercourse, childbirth, breastfeeding

  

Genes and Neurotransmitters

• Since each neurotransmitter coded by a special gene, genetic factors have a clear and significant effect on happiness

DRD2 → dopamine, serotonin

VMAT2 → norepinephrine

HTRIA → endorphins

C578BL67 → melatonin

Endocrine Glands

• release hormones control various processes like ^^growth, metabolism, and emotional regulation^^ and so on
• most related glands with mood states are ^^pituitary and adrenal glands^^

Cortisol

• this hormone release from the ^^adrenal glands^^ is in response of ^^inflammation or decrease the level of Glucocorticoid^^
• the role of this hormone in psychological process is ^^managing stress^^
• Cortisol has been shown to be a consistent marker for depression. High levels of morning cortisol have been linked to ^^depression and neuroticism^^

Adrenaline/Epinephrine

• both ^^a hormone and a neurotransmitter^^
• Adrenaline has many functions in the body, regulating heart rate, blood vessel, and air passage diameters, and metabolic shifts
• Adrenaline release is a crucial component of the ^^fight-or-flight^^ response of the sympathetic nervous system
• Individuals with higher levels of ^^“personal growth” and “purpose in life”^^ registered lower and mroe stable levels of salivary cortisol and urinary adrenaline

Physical Health and Happiness

• Several studies concluded that ^^positive mood in individuals is a strong predictor of physical health^^ and there is a significant correlation between positive mood and physical health
• People with happiness ^^behave healthier^^ (weight loss and practice) than others
• People with happiness ^^inhibited the risky behaviors^^
• Researchers stated that people ^^with happiness experience a long life^^

Neuroplasticity

• ^^Physiological changes in the brain^^ that happen as the result of our interactions with our environment
• The connections among the cells in our ^^brains reorganize^^ in response to our changing needs
• This process allows us to ^^learn from and adapt^^ to different experiences

Positive Emotional States and Processes

Affect

• a person’s ^^immediate physiological response^^ to stimulus
• based on an underlying ^^sense of arousal^^

Emotion

• involves ^^judgment^^ on important things
• ^^need for appraisal^^ important for our own well-being
• emotional responses occur as we become ^^aware of our experiences and evaluate the situation^^

Mood

• general ^^free-floating feelings^^ that last longer than an emotion
• mood is a ^^thought^^ tied to ^^expectations of future positive or negative affect^^

Happiness

• positive emotional state that is ^^subjectively defined^^ by each person

Subjective Well-Being

• ^^individual’s appraisal^^ of their own lives capture the ^^essence of well-being^^

Positive Affect + Life Satisfaction = Subjective Well-Being

Positive Affect

• a person’s immediate physiological response to a stimulus
• Examples: joviality, self-assurance, attentiveness, warmth, gladness, calmness, excitement, and confidence

Life Satisfaction

• a sense of ^^contentment and peace^^ stemming from small gaps between ^^wants and needs^^

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