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Happiness From A Neurobiological Standpoint

Humans might have adapted to feel happy when they have partners, because this would result in reproduction to ensure survival, and humans might have adapted to feel unhappy when they have a poor diet, because this works negatively against the body, and hence, would be a signal for the person to remedy their state. The amygdala is required for species survival; it influences autonomic and hormonal responses through its connections to the hypothalamus. It influences our conscious awareness of the positive and negative consequences of events and objects through its connections to the prefrontal cortex. The amygdala helps us differentiate between right and wrong, especially with regards to social conduct (Kolb 435). Can this really explain, however, the myriad of feelings that humans have, reactions to the smallest detail and to major events? In the 21st century, is self-preservation still the leading cause that dictates our emotional responses? In this age, people are willing and encouraged to change their neurochemistry to better adapt to society. A person might feel sad or angry due to biological switches that were created to help the humans avoid danger, but today they are encouraged to feel "happy," or at least "un-depressed," so that they might continue their life as a productive member of society. This is accomplished many times by the use of anti-depressants. .
             Antidepressants are thought to act by improving chemical transmission, especially in serotonin. A particular group of antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, block the transporter so serotonin remains in the synaptic cleft for a longer period, thus prolonging its action on postsynaptic receptors (Kolb 207). Scientists are not sure how antidepressants work for some patients, and twenty percent of people fail to respond to drugs to all, or cannot tolerate the side effects of these medications.


Essays Related to Happiness From A Neurobiological Standpoint

1. Happiness

Thomas Jefferson explores the idea of happiness, from two different standpoints, in his opening remarks of the Declaration of Independence. ... In fact, many would define happiness as an increase in pleasures or a freedom from any constraints, such as those that government places on its subjects. ... Happiness is the final goal. The pursuit of happiness is in the hands of the individual; however, government has the power to restrict or increase one's happiness. ... The happiness that comes from safety is a sort of contentment rather than an increase in pleasure or thrill. ...

  • Word Count: 580
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Happiness

Happiness Mother, the main character in the short story "Happiness,"" whose life is seemingly dedicated towards finding the joy in things, hides her true feelings of depression and apprehension behind a mask of happiness and joy. ... He feels it will bring her to genuine happiness, and his love for her is shown by his desire to make her happy. ... "Then her mind came back from the stark world of the spirit to the world where her body was still detained world was a whirling kaleidoscope of things when only she could see. (48)- Mother's soul seemed to come back from hell and into a disto...

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3. Nicotine is a Neurobiological Disease

Nicotine is a neurobiological disease. ... Evidence from these studies helped many medical societies brand smoking as a significant health hazard. ... The French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1635 found Indians in what is now Montreal, Canada Inhaling tobacco smoke from pipes. ... At first, cigarette production remained relatively low, with 4.2 billion cigarettes produced annually from 1990 to 1909. ... From the data to date, it appears that passive smoking carries a 1.5 relative risk of developing cancer of the lung as compared to non-smokers. ...

  • Word Count: 463
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. Aristotle

Through current research by close observation combined with neurobiological research, evidence that animals exhibit fear, joy happiness, shame, embarrassment, resentment, jealousy, rage, anger, love, pleasure, compassion, respect, relief, disgust, sadness, despair, and grief is likely. Charles Darwin said, "The lower animals, like man, manifestly feel pleasure and pain, happiness, and misery." ... By watching the film alone the gorilla seemed to show emotions for the boy, but without studying the animal neurobiologically scientists cannot understand how her emotions and cognitions were linked....

  • Word Count: 1271
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

5. The Surprising Science of Happiness

Dan Gilbert has a fascinating speech titled "The Surprising Science of Happiness"(Gilbert). Gilbert uses proven studies and reputable writers and poets of different views on happiness. Explaining; why and how we are happy, the duties of the frontal lobe, synthetic happiness and a comparison to natural happiness. ... Our impact bias can be used to crate synthetic happiness. ... Synthetic happiness can often be seen as a lesser form of happiness compared to natural happiness. ...

  • Word Count: 553
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Nepal and the Happiness Index

So any "Happiness" ratings based on this will be a highly skewed figure, regardless of how it changes. ... What this means is "Happiness" is highly dependent on various factors. ... Since it is more about the happiness of the country as a whole, the Happy Planet Index tends to be more holistic than the former index. ... The stat that says Nepal is ranked 58th of 158 countries in the Happy Planet Index indicates a similarity to concept of happiness mentioned earlier as well.... So, no, I do not feel I can represent a typical person from Nepal and say this would make me happ...

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7. ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurobiological disability. ... (JAMA, April 8, 1998-Vol 279, No. 14, pg. 1105) Nonetheless, the cause of ADHD remains unknown, although a great majority of the research suggests a neurobiological basis. ... Adults with ADHD can benefit from learning to structure their environment. ... It comes as a relief to know that with modern technology, comes more accurate ways a determining whether an individual is suffering from ADHD. ...

  • Word Count: 734
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8. The Buddha: Story of Siddhartha

Mary Pat Fisher explains three important standpoints based on religion. ... Both are far from the same and can give any standpoint a run for their money in how religion should be perceived. ... But again, we are looking into the reality of what religion does from a psychological standpoint. ... It is explained in such a way that your happiness depends on the happiness of others. ... This movie teaches that these three poisons destroy the path in achieving enlightenment and surely won't aid others happiness, resulting in a lack of happiness for oneself. ...

  • Word Count: 1760
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9. Happiness

Happiness is the predominant motive in life. ... To fulfill their own happiness. ... People will always find something to dwell on; something to keep them from reaching a complete state of happiness. ... The consumer does not realize, however, that the happiness experienced from buying the sunglasses is only temporary, and that there will soon be many other things that they will desire in their quest for achieving complete happiness. ... This form of happiness, everyday happiness, is the most important happiness that one may find. ...

  • Word Count: 823
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

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