## What is happiness? Happiness is a product of complex interactions between neurotransmitters, including dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins. When you experience emotions, the neurotransmitters initiate a certain sequence of neurons in your brain. If you had repeated events followed by the same reactions or strong emotions, the brain creates a neuron pathway or pattern. However, neuron pathways can be created intentionally. We cannot change the world, society, or other people, but we can adapt our brain so that stress becomes less acute and happiness hormones are produced more often=== . ## [Dopamine ](https://ul.orna.me/KOge/librarybiomarker?id=383) This neurotransmitter is produced by brain cells. Those who want to increase their output should seek a new occupation or progress in their work. In other words, they should get satisfaction by setting and achieving goals. __Activated by:__ sex, tasty foods, creative work, travel, and exercise. __Suppressed by:__ narcotics, fatty and sweet foods, and overindulgence in pleasures. ## [Serotonin](https://ul.orna.me/KOge/librarybiomarker?id=384) Most of it is produced by the intestinal mucosa, with only 5 % produced by the brain. Serotonin affects your memory, how active you are, your libido, quality of sleep, and digestion. It also lowers your pain threshold, protects from stresses, and improves your mood. It is synthesized from the essential amino acid tryptophan. We have to get it from foods, including cottage cheese and hard cheese, turkey and chicken, soybeans, figs, dates, lentils, tomatoes, and dark chocolate. Magnesium and vitamin D help convert tryptophan into serotonin. __Activated by:__ in addition to the products mentioned above, it is activated by social approval, praise, compliments, and likes on social media platforms. __Suppressed by:__ alcohol and caffeine. ## Oxytocin This hormone is produced in the central nervous system. It creates emotional ties and resistance to stress __Activated by:__ physical touch, massages, caring about people, plants, and animals. __Suppressed by:__ isolation and loneliness. ## Endorphins Endorphins are developed in the brain as a response to stress and changes in a familiar environment. For example, endorphins help soldiers raise spirits on the battlefield. Endorphins have a painkilling effect, create stress resistance, and trigger euphoria once the dangerous situation is over. __Activated by:__ exercise and any competitive activities, comedies, crying, sex, tasty and spicy foods. __Suppressed by:__ alcohol, narcotic substances, and certain chronic disorders. ## [Adrenaline](https://ul.orna.me/KOge/librarybiomarker?id=381), Noradrenaline, and [Cortisol](https://ul.orna.me/KOge/librarybiomarker?id=43) This group of stress hormones is included in our joy list, which is no accident. They help mobilize the body's defensive functions and avoid danger. As a consequence, they help people feel pleasure as well as be energetic and upbeat. Those who want to achieve such an effect can create useful low-level controlled stress for themselves — for example, by taking a contrast shower, going on a date, roller-skating, riding a horse, etc.