In your brain there are 4 glass jars that hold 4 chemicals that control how you feel. By understanding what these chemicals are and how they are released, you can gain an enormous understanding behind human psychology.

Dopamine – one of the best short-term feelings you can get. Feeling of results, accomplishing a goal. It’s released when something really good happens. It doesn’t last forever, so one seeks to get it more and more. Can be very addictive. Feeling of euphoria. When you accomplish a huge goal you’ve set for yourself, your brain will release a high level of dopamine. Sometimes it can be so high that you can’t sleep! Dopamine causes you to feel amp’ed. Released from achievement.

Illicit drugs, alcohol also release dopamine, but it is artificial. These substances do cause your brain to release a huge amount of dopamine, and this is why they can be habit forming. They crack the jar that holds the dopamine. If abused too long, it can be hard to crack this jar natural ways, and this is why addiction can be so difficult to overcome.

Oxytocin – the warm fuzzy hormone. Love, trust, bond. It’s released when you hug someone, have sex, hold someone’s hand. It’s even released when you pet your dog, snuggle up to your cat. Oxytocin gives you that warm feel good sensation. When a football player scores a touchdown and chest bump their teammates, give high fives… not only is dopamine released from scoring that touchdown, but oxytocin is also released from the interaction with teammates.

Serotonin – makes you feel calm and relaxed, helps regulate your general mood. The best way to control serotonin is to be in your happy place, whatever that is. Being in nature, living in a comfortable home, being with friends and loved ones. Also released when you feel important. Important to focus on the importance you have rather than the importance others give you.

Endorphins – Released when you do a lot of exercise. Brief euphoria that masks physical pain. Laughing, crying, eating spicy foods stimulates endorphins. Varying your exercise routine can help release them.

Your brain wants all of these chemicals. They connect neurons in your brain to help you function optimally. Your brain learns to get more of these. Each happy chemical has a specific job to do. Why we’re always looking for ways to turn on our happy chemicals. It’s why when we find something that works for us, we repeat it. A habit then forms (30-45 days through repetition). But unfortunately, once you’ve found a great formula, the jars will begin releasing slightly less and less of these chemicals, and this is why it’s important to change, form new healthy habits.