The Science Behind Happiness & Pleasure: The science behind happiness and pleasure is sourced in the fields of neuroscience, medicine, and psychology. It draws heavily on research summarized in the book The Hacking of the American Mind by Dr. Robert Lustig (2017). This post extends Dr. Lustig's insights into the realms of organizational culture and business strategy. One key insight from the book: U.S. culture tends to confuse happiness and pleasure. Fortunately, Dr. Lustig enumerates seven differences between the two. Quoting him from a 2017 interview with the University of California TY, he clarifies. The Seven Key Differences: . Pleasure is short-lived; happiness is long-lived. . Pleasure is visceral; happiness is ethereal. . Pleasure is taking; happiness is giving . Pleasure can be achieved with substances; happiness cannot be achieved with substances. Pleasure is experienced alone; happiness is experienced in social groups. The extremes of pleasure all lead to addiction, whether they be substances or behaviors. Yet there’s no such thing as being addicted to too much happiness. Finally and most importantly, pleasure is tied to dopamine (the pleasure biochemical/neurotransmitter), and happiness is tied to serotonin (the happiness biochemical/neurotransmitter). On BONS Ns -- Dr. Robert Lustig Dr. Lustig explains WHY understanding these differences is of vital importance. One chief reason is: excess dopamine can lead to addiction, which erodes both present and future happiness. In simple neuroscience terms, dopamine downregulates serotonin. The result, states Lustig in the same interview, is that “the more pleasure we seek, the more unhappy we get.” Related: 3 Elements for Creating the Right Culture for Employee Happiness Let’s switch gears and apply Dr. Lustig's insights to organizational culture as a means of delivering happiness — the neuroscientific definition of happiness. Keep in mind: pleasure has its place. The key is the proper proportion of pleasure relative to happiness. The goal is a balance of both.Which organizational activities and policies tend to produce dopamine (pleasure), and which produce serotonin (happiness)? This table sheds some light on this question. The last two columns share insights into organizational business culture based on our new understanding of the science of happiness and pleasure. iio etosets) poets eer sa ess Terost Short-lived Long-lived Bonuses, Career : ((c9 cream, (finishing college stocked fridge, milestones and eaciiaienian or alcohol) ‘or a marathon) team lunches advancements sade Visceral Quiet workspaces, | Recognition of MiceiIREE (sing crunk, ee standing desks, one’s contributions po ee high, etc.) 0 telecommuting to company goals and contentment) Human interactions : wut Cotfee, candy, : oe By taking By giving candy, “in break rooms, AEE (2 substance) (a substance) focislmedial shared victories, eres © on team projects eg. food, Caffeine and Rolact stimulants, N/A sugar (AM, N/A substances SSSI alcohol (PM) Celebrating wins Ona an Shared in Snacks, bonuses, _with the team, experienced group settings prizes and contests _ public recognition of contributions ' N/A-Youcan't Workahelism, TEASERS) ey be addicted to along with N/A Borers addiction(s nese cee POEM terror = : : Healthy Vital to long-term anes orang Seer in moderation well-being ettormicg Note: Adapted from The Hacking of the American Mind, by Dr. Robert Lustig (2017) WHAT CAN CREATING LONG-TERM HAPPINESS FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES DO FOR YOUR BUSINESS? DISCOVER WHAT CAN CHANGE:LEADERSHIP ALIGNMENT WORKSHOP Anote from the author... In full transparency, | have not met Dr. Lustig, nor do | receive anything for writing about his book. Despite its foreboding title, | found The Hacking of the American Mind to be quite optimistic, given its informative content. | highly recommend it to anyone interested in living a happier, healthier, more purposeful life. This recent interview with Dr. Lustig summarizes it nicely. He also narrates the audiobook, which I recommend. About the Author TFA GABRIEL KAUPER Gabriel Kauper is writer, poet, and PhD candidate. His research focuses on Blue Ocean Strategy, cultural evolution, and purpose-driven organizations. For over a decade, he has served as a trusted advisor to the private sector, non-profits, schools, and individuals — empowering them to be their better selves. He lives in Los Angeles