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Happiness & Brain Physiology: A Close Correlation

  • Writer: Rhucha Kulkarni
    Rhucha Kulkarni
  • Apr 28
  • 3 min read


We earlier discussed about Happiness and Hormones , but #Happiness is a complex emotion that goes beyond Neurotransmitters, and involves various aspects of brain physiology. Not just #happiness, in fact, specific brain-areas are responsible for the interaction of each Positive and Negative Emotion that we experience. The brain has circuits for both positive and negative feelings, and these systems are highly interconnected. 


Brain Physiology and Emotions

Specific areas of the brain are consistently linked to happiness and other positive emotions. The Limbic System is crucial for processing and regulating emotions, including the amygdala (fear), hippocampus (memory), and hypothalamus (regulating body functions). Below are the details: 

 

  • Prefrontal Cortex (PFC): This area, especially the left side, is crucial for regulating high-level cognitive functioning such as emotions, decision-making, and social behaviour. Increased activity in the left PFC is associated with positive emotional states. The PFC also plays a role in managing negative emotions.


  • Nucleus Accumbens (NAc): Part of the brain's reward system, the NAc is heavily involved in the feeling of pleasure and is activated when we experience enjoyable things.


  • Amygdala: While known for processing fear and anxiety, the amygdala also plays a role in the emotional intensity of joy and responds to both positive and negative stimuli.


  • Orbitofrontal Cortex: This area encodes the subjective experience of pleasure.


  • Cingulate Cortex: Involved in various emotional processes.


  • Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA): This area is associated with pleasure, focused attention, and motivation and is part of the reward circuit.


  • Hypothalamus: Involved in controlling emotional responses, hormone release, and regulating body temperature.


  • Hippocampus: Plays a role in memory and spatial understanding and is activated during feelings of gratitude.


  • Precuneus: Involved in retrieving memories, the sense of self, and attention. A larger grey matter volume in the right precuneus has been linked to higher reported happiness levels.

 

Neuroplasticity: Physiological Changes with Emotions

 

Happiness isn't just a feeling; it produces measurable physiological changes in the above areas of the brain. Emotions, can thus, help rewire the brain's neural networks. This is called Neuroplasticity. 

The result?

Healthy emotional regulation and emotions-processing can help rewire the brain neural networks for the better. Such rewiring can help us actually work towards making happiness a habit, by #choice. The question is...

 

How can we nudge this rewiring ? 

  • Emotional Awareness: Being fully aware of the emotions we feel, whether good or bad. 

  • Emotional Acknowledgement: Acknowledging each emotion with due respect, letting it be. 

  • Emotional Acceptance: Accepting even the negative emotions, and not berating ourselves to feel these negatives. 

  • Emotional Action: Then, choosing to replace negative thoughts and emotions with positive ones. 

Consciously choosing positive emotions, can gradually rewire our brain, and help us make positive emotions a sustained habit. 


In a Nutshell ...

In summary, happiness arises from a complex interplay of neurochemicals and activity in specific brain regions, particularly those involved in reward processing and emotional regulation. 


Conscious Choices - positive lifestyle practices like social connection, #gratitude, physical activity, and #mindfulness can influence these neurobiological processes and regions, and contribute to increased feelings of happiness. When we consciously choose to emotionally process all our emotions in the right way, and choose positive thoughts that serve us well, the  negative emotions can give way to positive ones. 

 

Are you willing to rewire your brain for happier living ?



Connect with us @ mojomantra.coaching@gmail.com or 9819890485, to cultivate a life of happiness!

 

 

 
 
 

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