Certain hormones are known to help promote positive feelings, including happiness and pleasure.
These “happy hormones” include:
Dopamine: Known as the “feel-good” hormone, Serotonin: This hormone and neurotransmitter helps regulate your mood as well as your sleep, appetite, digestion, learning ability, and memory.
Oxytocin: Often called the “love hormone,” oxytocin is essential for childbirth, breastfeeding, and strong parent-child bonding.
Endorphins: These hormones are your body’s natural pain reliever, which your body produces in response to stress or discomfort.
4. Happy hormones" generally
refers to a group of
neurotransmitters and hormones
that play a crucial role in
regulating mood, emotions, and
overall well-being.
They are involved in the complex
interplay of signals within the
brain and body.(Jiang,2022).Y
haleejtimes.com/life-and-living/happiness-hormones-a-
guide-to-increasing-your-joy-and-well-
being?_refresh=true
5. HORMONES OF HAPPINESS
There are four main hormones that
create positive feelings:
1. Serotonin: The Mood Stabilizer
2. Dopamine: The Reward
Mechanism
3. Endorphins: The Natural
Painkillers
4.Oxytocin: The Love Hormone
(Jiang Y,2022).
mentalhealthintheworkplace.co.uk/dose-
up-with-happy-hormones/
7. INTRODUCTION
• In the brain, serotonin is a key factor in memory building and mood
regulation, for which it is widely known as the happy hormone.
• Serotonin (about 90%) is found in the gut and not in the brain.
• target as medications that are used to treat depression, anxiety, and other
mood disorders.
• For example, increasing serotonin levels is the purpose of the class of
antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
10. WHERE ELSE IS THE SEROTONIN FOUND
OUTSIDE THE BODY?
•Tryptophan-rich protein-based foods, including meats such as
salmon, and turkey which are rich tryptophan sources.
•Dairy products such as eggs are boosters of blood plasma
tryptophan levels. Cheese is also a great source of tryptophan.
•Fruits such as bananas and pineapples are also serotonin
boosters. (Medicalnewstoday.com. 2021)
11. LOW SEROTONIN
•Low levels of vitamin B6 and
vitamin D linked to decreased
levels of serotonin.
•serotonin levels may also
decrease with age(Cowen PJ, 2015)
https://encrypted-
tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS3fe
14S4VH46owa-
Km5Pra4XZdTcWb3RUdyg&usqp=CAU
12. SYMPTOMS OF LOW SEROTONIN
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mylifetime.com.hk%2F2016%2F08%2
F09%2Fsymptoms-of-low-serotonin-
levels%2F&psig=AOvVaw3trgdoqYzwvcEJl1bXJgMC&ust=1703482464738000&source=images&cd
=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCLDSyYKtp4MDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAN
16. DOPAMINE AND HAPPINESS
• Feelings of pleasure, reward, and
motivation.(Baixauli E.,2017)
https://images.medindia.net/amp-images/health-
images/link-between-dopamine-and-avoidance-
behavior-identified.jpg
18. NATURAL
METHODS
TO
BALANCE
THE
DOPAMINE
LEVEL
Healthy habits and lifestyle
Consumption of nutritious food
Doing adventurous activities
Keeping yourself happy by doing things of
your interest at regular intervals
Exercising to keep body and mind fit
Celebrating small moments of your
life
Spending time with children and
family (Baixauli E.,2017).
19. MECHANISM OF DOPAMINE IN HAPPINESS:
Reward Pathway:
• The brain's reward system, often called the mesolimbic pathway, is
where dopamine shines.
• When you engage in activities that bring pleasure or reward, such
as eating a delicious meal, winning an award, or receiving praise,
your brain releases dopamine. This surge in dopamine reinforces
the behavior, making you more likely to repeat it in the future.
(Baixauli E.,2017).
21. DOPAMINE AND SUBSTANCES/ACTIVITIES
Coffee
• Caffeine, a key component in coffee, can increase dopamine
production.
• It stimulates the release of dopamine by blocking adenosine, another
neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation.
• This temporary surge in dopamine can lead to improved mood and
alertness(Baixauli E.,2017).
22. DOPAMINE AND SUBSTANCES/ACTIVITIES
Exercise:
•Regular exercise has been shown to increase dopamine
receptors in the brain, making it more sensitive to this
neurotransmitter.
•This is why many people report feeling happier and more
energized after a good workout(Baixauli E.,2017).
24. DOPAMINE AND SUBSTANCES/ACTIVITIES
Drugs of Abuse:
• Unfortunately, the same dopamine system that promotes happiness
and motivation can be hijacked by drugs of abuse, such as cocaine
and opioids.
• These substances artificially increase dopamine levels, leading to
intense feelings of euphoria. However, repeated drug use can disrupt
the brain's natural dopamine balance, leading to addiction and
negative consequences(Baixauli E.,2017).
25. HOW DRUG USE CHANGES THE BRAIN OVER
TIME?
• One way the brain compensates
is to reduce the number of
dopamine receptors at the
synapse. In addition, sending
neurons increase their number of
dopamine transporters, more
quickly clearing dopamine from
the synapse(NIDA,2022).
https://learn-genetics.b-
cdn.net/addiction/brainchange/changes-1.jpg
29. INTRODUCTION
•The word endorphin comes from the words endogenous,
which means “from within the body,” and morphine, an
opiate pain reliever
• They are a group of opioid neuropeptides. Generally, the
pituitary glands and the central nervous system both release
endorphins when needed(David J.,2021).
30. TYPES OF ENDORPHINS
There are four types of endorphins produced by body:
• alpha,
• beta,
• gamma,
• and sigma endorphins.
Beta endorphins are the most dominant type and most powerful of
these happy hormones in the body.(David J.,2021)
31. UNDERSTANDING ENDORPHINS
WITH EXAMPLE
• Endorphin brings a good feeling of euphoria
and accomplishment.
• we can say that endorphins, on one hand,
reduce pain, and on the other hand, they
provide euphoria.( John,2013)
https://mediap.flypgs.com/awh/1254/836//files/Ekstrem_Sporlar/
dagcilik-nedir.jpg
33. MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ENDORPHIN
https://encryptedtbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRyzzZOxEJxq2P0jKfgfuMYge8R8xIozCIkLg&usqp=CAU
34. NATURAL METHODS TO BOOST THE
ENDORPHINS
https://image.slidesharecdn.com/aprilsnacksandskills-140429155224-phpapp01/85/brain-food-
and-mood-food-5-320.jpg?cb=1667532849
36. INTRODUCTION
• Oxytocin, like endorphins or serotonin, is a type of
hormone in your body that promotes positive feelings.
• Decrease stress and anxiety levels.
•Have a positive impact on social behaviors related to
relaxation,trust and overall psychological
stability(Argyle M.,2013).
37. OXYTOCIN
Its main function is to
facilitate childbirth,
which is one of the
reasons it is called the
"love drug" or "love
hormone. (Argyle M.,2013).
42. REFRENCES
• Serotonin: Function, uses, SSRIs, and sources [Internet]. Medicalnewstoday.com. 2021 [cited 25 April 2021].
Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232248
• Cowen PJ, Browning M. What has serotonin to do with depression? World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):158-160.
doi:10.1002/wps.20229
• Baixauli E. (2017). Happiness: Role of Dopamine and Serotonin on mood and negative emotions. Emergency
Medicine, 7, 350.
• Argyle, M. (2013). The psychology of happiness. Routledge.
• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-truth-behind-runners-high-and-other-
mental-benefits-of-running. David J. Linden, Ph.D.. Johns Hopkins. 2021.