As Happiness hormones several messenger substances are called that have a positive effect on the body's well-being. Serotonin, dopamine and endorphins are supposed to relieve pain, induce relaxation and make you happy. Because of their effect on the psyche, which is comparable to drugs, happiness hormones are also known as endogenous drugs.
What are happiness hormones?
Since the designation Happiness hormones comes from popular science, there is no valid scientific definition. All hormones known as endogenous drugs belong to the neurotransmitters, the biochemical messenger substances of the body.
Its task is to transmit the nerve excitation via the synapses to the brain and thereby influence the psychological and physical condition of the person. The so-called happiness hormones include the messenger substances serotonin, endorphins, dopamine, noradrenaline, phenethylamine and oxytocin. They all have specific tasks and effects, for example dopamine is responsible for increasing drive and motivation and serotonin influences the gastrointestinal tract, the cardiovascular system and the nervous system.
Popular scientists suspect that the interaction of the happiness hormones is crucial for physical and mental well-being and that a resulting imbalance triggers depression, but there are no official studies on this.
Medical & health functions & tasks
The effect of the Happiness hormones has not been adequately researched to demonstrate interplay. For this reason, the functions and tasks of the neurotransmitters must be considered individually.
Phenethylamine is presumably responsible for the development of pleasure sensations, but its effect has not been medically proven. What is certain is that phenethylamine cannot be used as a drug, as its absorption has no effect on humans. Oxytocin is also known as the birth hormone because it induces labor and gained importance as a drug for clinical obstetrics. Oxytocin also has a calming effect and it raises cortisone levels and blood pressure.
Neurochemistry says Oxytocin has an effect on the moods of trust and love. The exact effect of the endorphins has not been clarified either. Norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin have been adequately researched. Neuroscience knows that noradrenaline, which is related to adrenaline, acts as a neurotransmitter in the same way as adrenaline does. Both increase blood pressure and lower the heart rate at the same time, which allows people to remain operational even when they are very stressed. Norepinephrine is used in low doses as an intravenous drug against anaphylactic and cardiogenic shocks and hypotension.
The happiness hormone dopamine increases drive and motivates, increases blood pressure and stimulates the heart and kidney function. It is used as an emergency medication for cardiovascular arrests and heart failure. Serotonin can be described as the most important happiness hormone, because its effect in the central nervous system is more extensive than that of the other neurotransmitters. Its tasks include stimulating the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for regulating emotions, and setting the sleep-wake rhythm.
Serotonin also has an appetite-suppressing and pain-relieving effect. The different effects of the happiness hormones seem to reinforce the theory of their interaction.
Illnesses & ailments
Happiness hormones can cause a variety of physical and mental disorders, because both their absence and their excessive presence are harmful.
Whether and to what extent the balance of happiness hormones is important for emotional satisfaction has not yet been scientifically proven. In the following, therefore, the disorders that the individual neurotransmitters can trigger are considered. Phenethylamine is the only neurotransmitter that has been shown to have no effect when overdosed and cannot be in excess because the hormone is rapidly broken down. The other happiness hormones seem to have negative effects on body and soul if overdosed, for example, oxytocin in too large amounts makes you trusting and naive.
Excessively high dopamine levels are being researched as a symptom or cause of schizophrenia, as the drug induces schizophrenia-like symptoms in healthy people. When it comes to diseases and disorders related to happiness hormones, reference must be made to serotonin, as the neurotransmitter has been researched best.
Serotonin deficiency is suspected to be the cause of migraine attacks, since a drop in serotonin levels could be observed shortly before migraine attacks. It has been known since 1969 that serotonin is associated with depression, but not its cause. Nevertheless, many antidepressants have a successful effect on serotonin levels and the happiness hormones.
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