Here's a simple introduction to the brain chemicals that make us happy. You can rewire yourself to turn them on in new ways. This simple look at our neurochemistry what turns them on in the state of nature, and why they inevitably droop. Ups and downs are natural, but you can build new circuits to enjoy more ups.
Happy brain chemicals: Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin and Endorphin
1. Happy Brain Chemicals
Loretta G. Breuning, PhD Inner Mammal Institute
Re-wire Yourself to Turn Them on in New Ways
dopamine endorphin oxytocinserotonin
2. Good feelings come from
4 special brain chemicals
dopamine endorphin oxytocinserotonin
48. Dopamine
suggestion:
Always have
• a short-term goal
• a long-term goal &
• a medium-term goal
so you can always
step toward meeting
a need right now
49. Oxytocin suggestion:
Build trust in many small steps
Trusting everyone
all the time
is not a good
survival strategy.
Our brain is
designed to build
trust gradually.
50. Serotonin suggestion:
Enjoy the strengths you have instead of
worrying about the strengths of others
Insisting on the one-up
position is harmful,
but taking the one-down
position automatically
hurts you too.
It’s not easy to make peace
with your mammal brain.
51. Endorphin suggestion:
Laugh
Find what makes you
laugh and make time
for it, often.
Don’t rush it, fake it,
or expect yourself to
laugh when others do.
52. It helps to know that your
ups and downs are part of
nature’s operating system
54. It helps to know that frustrating trade-offs
are part of every mammal’s life
•When you step toward
greener pasture (dopamine),
you move away from the safety
of social bonds (oxytocin).
•When you step toward
social importance (serotonin)
you may get disappointment (cortisol)
or a strain on social bonds (oxytocin).
55. It helps to know that making
tough choices is the job our
brain is designed to do
56. It helps to know that you can re-wire
yourself to turn on your
happy chemicals in new ways
58. The Inner Mammal Institute
has free resources to help
videos
podcasts
blogs
infographics
training certification
slide shows (incl this)
5-day Happy-Chemical Jumpstart
www.InnerMammalInstitute.org
59. Habits of a
Happy Brain
Retrain your brain to boost
your serotonin, dopamine,
oxytocin and endorphin
a fun step-by-step guide by Dr. Loretta Breuning
$10.23 paper, $9.99 e-book