BIOCHEMISTRY

OF
HAPPINESS
Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Anh - BTBCIU19034
OVERVIEW
01. DEFINITION
02. TYPES & LEVELS
03. MECHANISM
04. BIOCHEMICAL
PROCESS
 01
DEFINITION
 DEFINITION
• State of mind
• Different level of performance
• Triggers a cascade of beneficial biochemistry responses
• State of mental and state of the body
Happiness is a two-dimensional hypothesis that can be
influenced by both exogenous elements and
endogenous elements.
 02
TYPES & LEVELS
OF
HAPPINESS
 TYPES
Hedonia
• Derived from the pleasure.
• Connected with doing what makes you happy, self-care, satisfying
wants, having fun, & feeling satisfied.

Eudaimonia
• Derived from the pursuit of virtue and purpose gives.
• Related with carrying out obligations, investing in long-term
objectives, well-being of others, and living up to own standards.
 LEVELS
Pleasure: Physical pleasure and instant fulfillment.
Passion: Motivated by a desire to appease your ego.
Purpose: Your abilities and skills allow you to help others and be a part
of something greater.
Ultimate good: The yearning for complete truth, goodness, beauty, and
love that we have as human beings.
 03
MECHANISM
OF HAPPINESS
 MECHANISM
Happiness is controlled by neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters released by the brain.
• Neurotransmitters transport impulses from one neuron
to the other.
• Then neuron transmits information to other cells,
muscles or glands.
• At the end, it makes us to feel emotions like pleasure,
joy, sadness, rage, or enthusiasm.
 04
BIOCHEMICAL
PROCESS
BIOCHEMICAL PROCESS
01 02
Dopamine Oxytocin

03 04
Serotonin Endorphin
DOPAMINE
• Primary neurotransmitter in multiple central
nervous system pathways.
• Causes renal and mesenteric vasodilation,
vasoconstriction in other bodily areas.
• Exerts inotropic effects on the heart that are
mediated by one receptor.
• significantly interfered for the treatment of
traumatic and cardiogenic shock.
 DOPAMINE
Role in happiness:
• Reward chemical that is linked to anticipation.
• Linked to attentiveness, cognition, memory, happiness.
Low dopamine: depression, mood swings, attention deficit, cognitive
issues, compulsive behavior, cravings, apathy, loss of satisfaction in life
activities, risk taking, and additive behavior.
High dopamine: loss of consciousness with reality, lack of emotion,
additive behavior, suspicious personality, possible paranoia, and
delusions.
 DOPAMINE
Process:
OXYTOCIN
• 9-amino-acid oligopeptide
hormone that secreted by
neurohypophysis.
• Produced mostly in the
paraventricular nucleus of the
hypothalamus.
• Released into the posterior
pituitary via hypothalamo -
hypphyseal tract.
 OXYTOCIN
Role in happiness:
• Bonding molecule or hug hormone.
• Causes love connection and increases trust and loyalty.
• Associated to positive social conduct and is recognized to enhance
social contact.
• Strong link between happiness and relationships.
• Used to create pleasure by stimulating or strengthening social bonds.
Low oxytocin: depression, poor communication, increased fear and
anxiety, sleep problems, irritability, and sugar cravings.
 OXYTOCIN
Process:
SEROTONIN
• Complex neurotransmitter.
• 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT).
• Found in many types of tissues of the body,
including the central nervous and
gastrointestinal tract.
• Converted to 5-Hydroxyl Indole Acetic Acid
and is a derivative of the branched-chain
amino acid tryptophan.
 SEROTONIN
Role in happiness:
• Confidence molecule.
• Promotes self-esteem and confidence.
• Regulates a wide range of physiological and biological functions,
including arousal, aggressiveness, mood, memory, and cognitive
ability.
Low serotonin: depression or loneliness.
High serotonin: 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.
 SEROTONIN
Process:
 ENDORPHINS

• Known as endogenous morphine.

• Made in the pituitary gland and in small amounts by the body's
immune system.
• Three functional subtypes: alpha-endorphins, beta-endorphins, and
gamma endorphins.
 ENDORPHINS
Role in happiness:
• Pain-killing molecules or pain relievers.
• Connected to pleasurable states such as love, laughing, sex, and even
hunger.
• Primary role is inhibit pain.
• Also cause pleasure experiences.
• Linked to autism, depression, and depersonalization disorder in
clinical studies.
• Biologically linked to activities like laughter & strenuous
cardiovascular exercise.
 ENDORPHINS
Process:
 REFERENCES
• https://www.ijsr.net/archive/v9i9/SR20904163020.pdf
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4449495/
• https://lifeism.co/happy-hormones-the-biochemistry-of-happiness/
• 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
• https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Oxytocin-signaling-in-bone-cells-OT-binds-to-its-receptor-in-
osteoclast-OC-and_fig1_335160337
• 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-neuropharmacology/endorphins.html
THANK YOU!
For your attention