Instructor: Dr. Hoang Le Son 03.11.

2021

Name: Nguyễn Ngọc Phương Anh

Student ID: BTBCIU19034

BIOCHEMISTRY OF HAPPINESS
Phuong Anh N. Nguyen Author1,*
1
School of Biotechnology, International University-Vietnam National University Hochiminh
city, Quarter 6, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, HCMC
* BTBCIU19034@student.hcmiu.edu.vn

ABSTRACT
Analyze the happiness in biochemistry.
Research about the definition, types, impacts, mechanism, and biochemical
process of happiness.
Key words: happiness, dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins.

INTRODUCTION
Happy is a sensation of joy, well-being, pleasure, satisfaction, or contentment.
When you are conscious the life is good and you grin only for those reasons,
which mean you are happy. Happiness is impacted by a variety of exogenous
and endogenous causes. Among all the endogenous determinants,
neurochemicals play the most important role in predicting and delivering
happiness. The purpose of this research is to learn more about the biochemistry
of happiness.

DENIFITION
Happiness is a state of mind. Every person has a different level of performance
when it comes to this emotion. It is a sensation that triggers a cascade of

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beneficial biochemistry responses. It is not simply a state of mental but also a

state of the body.
For examples, simply put, happiness is a mother's tears of joy when she sees her
baby being born or the excited of children when they are offered a candy.
Happiness is a complex concept. Happiness is a two-dimensional hypothesis
that can be influenced by both exogenous elements (environment,
socioeconomic, and behavioral) and endogenous elements (biological,
cognitive, and personality).

TYPES AND LEVELS OF HAPPINESS

 TYPES
1. Hedonia
Hedonia is derived from the pleasure. It is most commonly connected with
doing what makes you happy, self-care, satisfying wants, having fun, and
feeling satisfied.
2. Eudaimonia
Eudaimonia is derived from the pursuit of virtue and purpose gives. Feeling
that your life has significance, worth, and purposes are all important aspects
of eudaimonic well-being. It is more closely related with carrying out
obligations, investing in long-term objectives, caring for the well-being of
others, and living up to own standards.
 LEVELS
1. Pleasure
The first level of happiness is pleasure. It covers the two most important
aspects of your life: physical pleasure and instant fulfillment. This level of
enjoyment is short-lived and superficial. Some examples of this level are a
nice dinner, new clothing, or even listening to your favorite music.

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2. Passion
The second level of happiness is passion. It is frequently motivated by a
desire to appease your ego. To acquire self-confidence, you must be
passionate. This form of bliss, however, does not last. If you grow locked in
this type, you may become so obsessed with winning that you feel compelled
to put people down.
3. Purpose
The third level of happiness is purpose. Purpose means your abilities and
skills allow you to help others and be a part of something greater. This can
provide you with a sense of accomplishment as well as long-term enjoyment.
Everyone wishes to believe that their lives are meaningful. As you make a
positive difference in the world, you will experience deeper, longer-lasting
enjoyment.
4. Ultimate good
The last level of happiness is ultimate good. Ultimate good is the yearning
for complete truth, goodness, beauty, and love that we have as human
beings. Many people achieve this level of bliss as a result of their religious
convictions. Even individuals who do not believe in a higher force can find
joy in seeking truth, beauty, love, and kindness in themselves and in helping
others. This level of happiness is frequently seen as the most long-lasting
and intense.

MECHANISM OF HAPPINESS
Happiness is largely controlled by neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters released
by the brain. They are chemical messengers that convey messages from brain
neurons to other regions of the body. Neurotransmitters transport impulses from
one neuron to the other. Then neuron transmits information to other cells,

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muscles or glands. At the end, it makes us to feel emotions like pleasure, joy,
sadness, rage, or enthusiasm.
Base on the research, increases in the levels of many neurotransmitters have
been shown to boost happiness by having a positive effect on our overall mood.
Dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins are the four key
neurotransmitters that generate happy feelings throughout the day (D.O.S.E.).

BIOCHEMICAL PROCESS
 DOPAMINE
1. Definition
Dopamine (DA) is a biogenic amine, a catecholamine neurotransmitter, and
an adreno-medullary hormone. It is the primary neurotransmitter in multiple
Central Nervous System (CNS) pathways, beginning in the midbrain, and is
involved in motivation, learning, and motor activity, with any disruptions
being linked to a variety of illnesses, including Parkinson's disease and
schizophrenia. The medulla of the adrenal glands secretes dopamine, a
catecholamine. It is a member of the phenethylamine family and acts as both
a hormone and a neurotransmitter in the body. As a catecholamine, it causes
renal and mesenteric vasodilation, as well as vasoconstriction in other bodily
areas. Dopamine exerts inotropic effects on the heart that are mediated by
one receptor. It elevates systolic blood pressure while having little effect on
diastolic blood pressure. It produces natriuretic by inhibiting the sodium
potassium pump in the proximal tubules. Also, it significantly interfered for
the treatment of traumatic and cardiogenic shock.
2. Role in happiness
Dopamine is a "reward chemical" that is linked to anticipation. It contributes
to the reward system. It's also linked to attentiveness, cognition, memory,
and happiness. Low levels of dopamine are linked to depression, mood

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swings, attention deficit, cognitive issues, compulsive behavior, cravings,

apathy, loss of satisfaction in life activities, risk taking, and additive
behavior, while high levels are linked to loss of consciousness with reality,
lack of emotion, additive behavior, suspicious personality, possible paranoia,
and delusions. Dopamine is recognized to be a reward molecule since it is
consistently discovered to be produced in response to human
accomplishments. Dopamine is also known to be released spontaneously
when people are nice to others, and simply thinking about loving kindness
can raise dopamine levels. Volunteering has also been linked to dopamine
release.
3. Process in body
L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, and L-DOPA are three essential precursor
molecules in the dopamine production route that can enter the brain. Any of
these chemicals can be used to make dopamine, and the molecules enter the
route at different places.
‒ The essential amino acid L-phenylalanine is the most fundamental of
the three building blocks. Essential amino acids are not produced by the
body and must be obtained from the food.
‒ L-tyrosine is the following stage in the dopamine pathway. It is
considered conditionally essential because it may be produced from L-
phenylalanine.
‒ L-DOPA is the last chemical that can enter the dopamine pathway.
We can imagine that dopamine is formed by the process from L-
Phenylalanine → L-Tyrosine → L-DOPA → Dopamine.

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 OXYTOCIN
1. Definition
Oxytocin is a 9-amino-acid oligopeptide hormone that is secreted by the
neurohypophysis. It is produced mostly in the paraventricular nucleus of the
hypothalamus and to a lesser extent in the supraoptic nucleus, and it is
released into the posterior pituitary via the hypothalamo - hypphyseal tract.
During breast feeding and cervical dilation during parturition are the two
triggers that cause it to be released. As a result, it plays a crucial role in the
control of uterine spasms and milk ejection.
2. Role in happiness
Oxytocin is known as the "bonding molecule" or "hug hormone", because its
levels rise when feeding the infant, skin-to-skin contact, intercourse, orgasm,
and hugging. According to recent studies, it is also a hormone that causes
love connection and increases trust and loyalty. In other words, it is
associated to positive social conduct and is recognized to enhance social

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contact. Such a strong link between social connection and happiness,

induced by the effects of oxytocin, can lead to a better life. Oxytocin
generates a wide range of physiological and behavioral consequences that
are regulated by particular receptors in the brain, primarily social, sexual,
and maternal behaviors, as recently discovered. It is thought that the
hormone causes happiness since it is related with pleasant social activities
and is known to promote friendship or connecting with people. Because
connections have such a profound influence on life satisfaction and because
there is such a strong link between happiness and relationships, oxytocin
may be used to create pleasure by stimulating or strengthening social bonds.
Low oxytocin levels are linked to depression, poor communication,
increased fear and anxiety, sleep problems, irritability, and sugar cravings.
By enhancing the link between the receiver and the giver, gifting might
boost the release of the hormone.
3. Process in body
‒ Oxytocin binds to its receptor in osteoclasts and osteoblasts, triggering a
series of biological events. It causes osteoblast differentiation by
increasing c-fos expression and phosphorylation of MAP-kinase.
‒ Oxytocin causes Ca2+ to be released from intracellular storage. The rise
in Ca2+ in osteoblast triggers various cellular cascades that result in an
increase in prostaglandin E2 production, which has a beneficial impact
on osteoblast.
‒ Oxytocin stimulates osteoclast development directly by activating
MAPK signaling in osteoclasts and indirectly by up regulating RANK-
L in osteoblasts. Ca2+ increases the expression of NF-kb and IP3,
which prevent mature osteoclasts from resorbing bone.

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 SEROTONIN
1. Definition
Serotonin is a complex neurotransmitter, it is known as 5-hydroxytryptamine
(5-HT). It's found in a variety of bodily tissues, including central nervous
and gastrointestinal tract. It's called enter amine because of its high
concentration in the gut. It is converted to 5-Hydroxyl Indole Acetic Acid
and is a derivative of the branched-chain amino acid tryptophan (5-HIAA). It
has numerous activities in the body, including causing widespread
vasoconstriction and bronchoconstriction, increasing gastric secretions and
motility, causing platelet aggregation, acting as an anti-diuretic, acting as an
anorectic drug, suppressing sleep, and being a powerful anti-depressant.

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2. Role in happiness
Serotonin is regarded as the "confidence molecule" because it promotes self-
esteem and confidence, and there is a positive feedback loop that encourages
the chemical's release by increasing self-esteem. It regulates a wide range of
physiological and biological functions, including arousal, aggressiveness,
mood, memory, and cognitive ability. Serotonin levels are elevated during
states of self-assurance, a sense of self-importance, and relaxation, making it
evident that a lack of serotonin induces feelings of depression or loneliness.
Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants
known for their ability to improve mood. Serotonin excess causes sleepiness
and apathy, whereas serotonin deficiency is linked to low mood, sadness,
poor appetite control, anxiety disorders, a lack of willpower, and social and
sexual behavioral issues.
3. Process in body
Serotonin is made from the amino acid tryptophan - a necessary amino acid.
Serotonin is produced from two-step of enzyme activity.
‒ First, dietary tryptophan is converted to 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, or 5-
HTP. The activity of the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase, or TPH, is
responsible for this. TPH1 and TPH2 are the two versions of this
enzyme, with TPH2 being present only in neurons.
‒ Then, decarboxylation mechanism transforms 5-HTP to 5-HT. The
enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, or AADC, is responsible
for this chemical process. The activity of the cofactor pyridoxal
phosphate, the active form of vitamin B6, is required for this process.
AADC is found in a variety of neurons and has the ability to synthesize
other neurotransmitters.

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 ENDORPHINS
1. Definition
Endorphins, also known as endogenous morphine, are opioid neuropeptides
that are generated spontaneously in the body. Endorphins are
neurotransmitters that also serve as peptide hormones. It is known to be
formed through recurrent cleavage of the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)
polypeptide, which is made in the pituitary gland and in small amounts by
the body's immune system. Based on the cleavage process, alpha-
endorphins, beta-endorphins, and gamma endorphins are the three functional
subtypes. They are known to be an endogenous analgesic that interferes with
pleasure experiences by blocking pain perception. They are an important
component of the body's endogenous pain-inhibiting mechanisms.

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2. Role in happiness
Endorphins, often known as "pain-killing molecules" or "pain relievers",
have been connected to pleasurable states such as love, laughing, sex, and
even hunger. Even though its primary role is to inhibit pain, it is also a cause
of our pleasure experiences, which is why it is one of the four key happiness
or pleasure hormones. It's thought that pleasure sensations linger to remind
us of when we last had a pleasant experience and to encourage us to go on to
the next one so that the pleasure linked with the previous one can be
enjoyed. Endorphins also known to stimulate the production of these
hormones is enjoyment manifested as laughing or even the hope of
something humorous. Endorphins have been linked to autism, depression,
and depersonalization disorder in clinical studies, and are biologically linked
to activities like laughter and strenuous cardiovascular exercise.
3. Process in body
Suppression of Pain by Endorphins
‒ Substance P transmits pain-sensing membrane receptors to sensory
regions of the brain.
‒ The pituitary gland releases endorphins in order to block pain
perception.
‒ Endorphins link to opiate receptors on presynaptic neurons to prevent
the transmission of pain signals.

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CONCLUSION
Happiness is a multifaceted concept that is made up of both endogenous and
exogenous variables. In spite of the influence of exogenic factors on happiness,
endogenic factors form the basis of happiness. In ease, neurotransmitters are the
most important biological factors in the formation of happiness.

REFERENCES
 https://www.ijsr.net/archive/v9i9/SR20904163020.pdf
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 https://www.happyfeed.co/research/4-brain-chemicals-make-you-happy
 https://www.happiness.com/magazine/science-psychology/happiness-
hormones/
 https://7summitpathways.com/blog/four-levels-of-happiness/
 https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-happiness-4869755
 https://www.everydayhealth.com/dopamine/
 https://parkinsons-therapeutics.org/where-does-dopamine-come-from/
 https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/9/2496/htm
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 https://brainstuff.org/blog/how-is-serotonin-synthesized-raphe-nucleus
 https://studiousguy.com/serotonin-uses-and-side-effects/
 https://ib.bioninja.com.au/options/option-a-neurobiology-and/a5-
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