Achieving Happiness - The Scientific Way

“I am rich, healthy, and I have achieved almost everything I wanted to achieve.

Why am I still not happy and still not satisfied?”

Human happiness, according to science, is caused by four basic chemicals:

Dopamine, Endorphins, Serotonin and Oxytocin.

Being in a positive state has significant impact on our motivation, productivity, and well-being. 

Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphin are the quartet responsible for our happiness. Each of these chemicals has a special job to do and it turns off when the job is done. Many events can trigger these neurotransmitters in our brain. Here is how they work:

                                   Dopamine

Dopamine motivates us to take action toward goals, desires, and needs, and gives a surge of reinforcing pleasure when achieving them. Procrastination, self-doubt, and lack of enthusiasm are linked with low levels of dopamine.

We all have needs and desires, and we all want to become rich so we can fulfill our needs and desires.

On our journey to become rich, we probably completed many tasks and goals; such as proper education, a nice job or a well-established business etc. Then we started buying all the things we always wanted - Nice cars, beautiful clothes, and a perfect home. Every task and goal we completed, released dopamine in our brain -which made us feel happy - temporarily.

                                 Endorphins  

Endorphins are released in response to pain and stress, and help to alleviate anxiety and depression.

On our journey to become fit - to cope with the pain of physical exercise - our body releases endorphins. 

The surging and euphoric “runners high” during and after a vigorous run are a result of endorphins. Similar to morphine, it acts as an analgesic and sedative, diminishing our perception of pain. When we start to enjoy exercise - as we get into it – it’s the endorphins that contributes to our happiness - Temporarily.

                                             Serotonin

Serotonin flows when you feel significant or important. Loneliness and depression appears when serotonin is absent. It’s perhaps one reason why people fall into gang and criminal activities.

The culture brings experiences that facilitate serotonin release. It seems that the traditional cultural activities such as group dances, prayers, worships and rituals performed in groups – were meant to help release serotonin in the participants’ brains. But like the other chemicals, it also turns off after the event is over, or when the feeling of being 'significant and important' is gone.

Unhealthy attention-seeking behavior can also be a cry for what serotonin brings.

                                               

                                             Oxytocin

Oxytocin creates intimacy, trust, and builds healthy relationships. It’s released when we are in the joyful company of people we trust - by the emotions of love and binding between mother and child - family and friends. Animals will reject their offspring when the release of oxytocin is blocked.

The cultivation of oxytocin is essential for creating strong bonds and improved social interactions.

         It turns out that human happiness is incomplete without all four chemicals constantly being released in the brain. Many events can trigger these neurotransmitters, but rather than being in the passenger seat, there are ways we can deliberately cause them to flow. We might not have a money tree, but we can have a happiness tree. Here are some simple ways to hack into our positive neurochemicals:

To increase Dopamine, break big goals down into little pieces — rather than only allowing our brains to celebrate when we’ve hit the finish line, we can create a series of little finish lines which releases dopamine. And it’s crucial to actually celebrate — Gather some friends, throw a party, or head to your favorite restaurant whenever you meet a small goal. As an employer or leader, recognizing the accomplishments of your team, appreciate their efforts. Admiring and praising them in front of others, or giving a bonus, will allow them to have a dopamine hit and increase future motivation and productivity.

Create new goals before achieving your current one. That ensures a continual flow for experiencing dopamine.

Physical distress and pain triggers Endorphin. But we don't always need to create pain to enjoy the endorphin. Laughing and crying stimulate small bursts of endorphin. Therefore, along with regular exercise, laughter is one of the easiest ways to induce endorphin release. Even the anticipation and expectation of laughter, like attending or watching a comedy show, increases levels of endorphin. Taking your sense of humor to work, forwarding that funny email, and finding several things to laugh at during the day is a great way to induce endorphin.

The smell of vanilla and lavender has also been linked with the production of endorphins. The temples and other worship places in India always have continuously burning Agarbattis - the scented incense sticks to create the aroma in environment.  

Serotonin flows when we feel significant or important.
We cannot control the world and the importance it gives us. But we can train our brain to feel confident about ourselves. Reflecting on past significant achievements allows the brain to re-live the experience. Our brain has trouble telling the difference between what’s real and imagined, so it produces serotonin in both cases. It’s another reason why gratitude practices are popular. They remind us that we are valued and have much to value in life. If you need a serotonin boost during a stressful day, take a few moments to reflect on a past achievements and victories.

Serotonin can also be released when we act in a way that benefits others. When we give to causes beyond ourselves and our own benefit. Because, regardless of how selflessly we might do something to help others, deep down, it makes us feel important – makes us feel happy.

That’s why we often see billionaires turning to charity when they have already achieved everything they wanted to, and experienced everything they wanted to in life.

They’ve had enough dopamine from material pleasures, now they need the serotonin.

Oxytocin is released when we become close to other human beings. Often referred to as the cuddle hormone, a simple way to keep oxytocin flowing is to give someone a hug. When we hug a friend, or shake someone’s hand, oxytocin is released in varying amounts.

Oxytocin is easy to release. It’s all about becoming more social!

Share your wealth with your friends and family to create amazing experiences. When someone receives a gift, their oxytocin levels can rise. You can strengthen work and personal relationships through a simple birthday or anniversary gift. Strengthen your human relationships by reaching out and helping those who need help - in any way you can.

Laugh, love, cooperate, and play with others.

Occasionally, we all experience some levels of happiness contributed by dopamine and endorphins.
Perhaps we need to work on releasing more Serotonin and Oxytocin on regular basis. This is why, in order to achieve happiness, most religious and organized spiritual organizations stress upon focusing more on these two aspects of life: 
               "Social connections and contribution towards others". 

Note:

Above article is based on few different articles I read on this subject by different authors on the web.

                       ‘Rajan Sachdeva’