1. The job of each happy chemical in the state of nature
2. The neural pathways that control these chemicals
3. How to create new pathways to enjoy more of them
Our happy brain chemicals are not meant to flow all the time for no reason. Each one has a job to do, and when you know what turns them on in the state of nature, you know how they work in your life. But your happy chemicals are controlled by neural pathways built from past experience. Here's how to build new pathways to turn them on in new ways.
3. But they are designed to do a
job, not to flow for no reason
4. The job of each happy chemical is
obvious in animals, from whom we’ve
inherited these chemicals
5. 1. The job of each happy chemical in the state of nature
2. The neural pathways that control these chemicals
3. How to create new pathways to enjoy more of them
Let’s see:
36. Dopamine rewards you for the effort
of steps toward your needs.
Serotonin rewards you for getting
respect from others.
Oxytocin rewards you for getting the
safety of social support.
Endorphin rewards you for action
that protects injuries.
58. 1. The old path = survival,
from your inner mammal’s perspective
2. The new path doesn’t feel good at first,
and requires a huge investment of energy
3. The old highway is still there
3 Challenges
59. But you will
build a new
circuit if
you repeat
a new
behavior
for 45 days
without fail
65. Habits of a Happy Brain
forthcoming December 2015
Meet Your Happy Chemicals
Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, Endorphin
I, Mammal
Why Your Brain Links Status and Happiness
Beyond Cynical
Transcend Your Mammalian Negativity
my books
66. Dopamine
Dopamine makes you jump for joy
when you reach a goal or get a toy.
Innature,ithelpsfindfoodwhenyouneedit.
“Eureka, I got it!” A memory gets created.
Dopamine causes expectations.
Correct predictions bring good sensations.
Dopamine feels great so you try to get more.
It rewarded our ancestors trudging through gore.
Cocaine triggers dopamine. Caution to all:
Joy without goal-seeking leads to a fall.
Dopamine flows when you feel like “I’ve done it.”
Whenothersdoitforyou,yourdopaminewillshunit.
67. Endorphin
Endorphin helps you mask the pain
Of injuries that you sustain.
Yourancestorsescapedfrompredatorattack
‘Causeendorphinfelt goodwhile theyranback.
Endorphin feels great when it eases your pains.
But only real pain makes it flow in your veins.
Exercise triggers it, experts alert you.
But first you must do it ‘til body parts hurt you.
Endorphin receptors let opium in.
So you feel like you’re safe without lifting a shin.
Laughing and crying can trigger it too.
But just for a moment– then the job’s through.
68. Oxytocin
Oxytocin makes you trust your mates.
We love the bonds that it creates.
Oxytocinflowswhenyoustickwiththeherd.
“Notme!” youmaysay,“I’mnobovine orbird.”
But without social bonds, your brain feels alarm.
This protected our ancestors from all kinds of harm.
Thoughtheherdwillannoyyou,thepackhurt you so.
When you run with a pack, oxytocin will flow.
“My pack is great and the other is nuts.”
This thinking prevailed since the first mammal struts.
You’re above all this foolishness, obviously.
But it feels good when I trust you and you trust me.
69. Serotonin swells your chest with pride
When you get respect and needn’t hide.
Yourbrainfeelsgoodwhenyouboostyourselfhigher.
But when others do this, it provokes your ire.
“I don’t care about status. It’s other who do.”
Butyouspurtserotoninwhenthelimelight’s on you.
You are quite modest and don’t like to boast.
But no serotonin flows when you coast.
Status doesn’t depend on money.
You can be clever or helpful or funny.
But when others one-up you, your mind agitates.
‘Cause serotonin droops ‘til you lift your own weights.
Serotonin