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