4 Hormones for Happiness and Ways to Get Them

You cannot depend on people to always make you happy because they are not always around. There are four major happy hormones and several activities that will help those hormones do their best work.

Hormone: Definition

Hormones are chemical substances that act like messenger molecules in the body. After being made in one part of the body, they travel to other parts, where they help control how cells and organs function.

The primary function of hormones is to communicate between two glands or between a gland and an organ.

Even though hormones are involved in lots of important things in the body like heart rate and digestion, most people think of them mainly as the controller of mood, feeling good, and being happy. This article focuses on those chemical messengers that help us feel good, be happy, and experience pleasure.

All four of the following hormones regulate our moods, promote positive feelings, and make us happy. Each hormone has a special function and does what it was designed to do when it travels through the bloodstream to different organs and tissues.

1. Serotonin

In a nutshell, serotonin is the hormone that helps regulate mood as well as sleep, appetite, digestion, learning ability, and memory.

There are certain foods that can boost serotonin and help keep people happy. Add more probiotic foods to your diet. Some foods that produce serotonin are apples, cranberries, citrus fruits, blackberries, artichoke, mushrooms, barley, potatoes, wheat, oats, chicory, beets, onions, garlic, rye, legumes, and pasta.

2. Dopamine

Dopamine is known as the “feel-good” hormone. Dopamine keeps you happy and alert. It is associated with pleasurable sensations. It helps with learning, memory, attention, motor system function, motivation, rewards, and decision-making,

Dopamine is the reward hormone, but it can’t be found in food. It is released naturally in your body through addictive substances such as taking drugs and using alcohol. It is also released through behaviors such as gambling and being intimate.

3. Oxytocin

When people give to others, the hormone oxytocin is released. It produces warm feelings, a connection to others, and euphoria.

Oxytocin is often called the “love hormone.” That's because it helps promote trust, empathy, and bonding in relationships. It is the hormone usually associated with physical affection like cuddling, hugging, kissing, and being intimate. Oxytocin also helps reduce stress and calm the nervous system. That hormone is released in caring relationships, especially within a loving community. Also, it helps to have pets.

4. Endorphins

Endorphins are called the runner's hormones because they block pain while producing euphoria. That hormone is the body’s natural pain reliever, produced in response to stress or discomfort.

Endorphins make you happy, but only after you experience pain. Endorphins are the body’s natural morphine that induces euphoria. A “runner’s high” is caused by a big rush of endorphins. That's why some people get “hooked” on running.

Ways Happy Hormones Are Released

Exercise: A body that move produces more happy hormones than one that is sedentary. Three of the four happy hormones are released when you exercise.

• Serotonin helps reduce depression.
• Dopamine helps with body shape and weight goals.
• Endorphins help to reduce physical pain or symptoms of injury in our muscles.

Food: Eating certain foods will make people happy. Eating dark chocolate will produce happy hormones.

Intimacy: Any affection from someone will produce happy hormones in the giver and the receiver. You can achieve happy moments by holding hands, cuddling, hugging, kissing, and being intimate. These activities lead to the body producing three of the four happy hormones: oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins.

Laughter: The brain thinks a person really can laugh his troubles away. Laughter releases the happiness hormones.

Massage: Getting a massage does a lot for the body and the brain. Hormones are released when a person is getting a much-needed massage.

Meditation: The happy hormones are released during meditation.

Music: Listening to your favorite music produces hormones that make you happy. If you get up and dance, you will be even happier.

Pets and Positive People: Being around pets and positive people is a good way for hormones to be released. Serotonin and oxytocin are hormones linked to love and relationships.

Stress Reducer: Hormones are released to reduce stress and keep you calm.

Sleep: When you get enough sleep, hormones work at their best.

Smile: Smiling doesn't release as many hormones as laughter. However, smile at the things you like, and some hormones will be released. If you keep a smile on your face when you encounter challenging situations, your body will produce serotonin and endorphins.

Sunlight: Hormones are released when you are outside on a sunny day. Serotonin is naturally produced when you get plenty of sunlight.

Author's Note

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional.