Are you unhappy?

It’s not why you think.

Read this article for free with this link. Enjoy.

How much do you know about body chemistry? As someone with ADHD, I have done my fair share of research on the chemicals of the brain and body. I find the science behind it fascinating, and I want a deeper understanding of myself.

Through my research, I learned an underdeveloped frontal lobe and an inability to regulate dopamine levels causes most of the neurodivergence associated with ADHD.

The frontal lobe handles impulse control, memory, judgement, and our ability to focus. Dopamine offers us feelings of satisfaction, enjoyment, and motivation. Basically, it’s the chemical that makes you want to do something again.

Do you have ADHD or know someone who does? How many of those behaviors and tendencies do they exhibit?

Today was my 5th day working with any form of consistency since I was a teenager and boy oh boy, have I noticed some significant changes in my mood and energy levels. I felt some genuine happiness, and it’s been very refreshing.

Is this from dopamine?

No. Dopamine is the “this is fun, here is a reward” chemical. People with ADHD are veritable leeches for dopamine sources, since our brains struggle to make it, and it’s the reason we latch on so hard when we find something enjoyable. Levels of interest that border on obsession, just for more of that delicious dopamine drip. If you have it, then you know what I am talking about.

So what do you need for happiness if it isn’t dopamine? Well, the chemical serotonin is a major source of a sustained feeling of happiness or contentment. However, as I do more research, I find out that serotonin is only one piece of the complete puzzle. Let’s focus on the next piece, endorphins. Want to learn more about serotonin? Follow this link.

What exactly are endorphins? It’s common knowledge that exercise is a prime source for endorphin production in the body. It’s not commonly known that stresses and certain foods can also provide you with endorphins. More on that in a moment. As with dopamine, endorphins are also associated with the brain’s “reward system” but have a different function.

Let’s say getting a dopamine hit is like a high-five. By that logic, endorphins are like a handshake. You get the analogy? Everything about dopamine is fleeting. It is a necessary but wildly unreliable indicator of true enjoyment. The feeling is more in-line with pleasure or euphoria.

You need endorphin production if you want sustainable happiness.

So now you know the difference between dopamine and endorphins.

Ready to learn how you can increase your cerebral flow of this critical chemical compound?

As I mentioned before, exercise is your best bet, right? Engaging in physical activity is one of two things that are top priority when you are looking to regulate your mental health. Exercise also helps the body release serotonin, another key compound in becoming sustainably happy and fighting depression. Interested in the second item of importance for managing your mental health? Follow this link.

The next on the list is…

1. Stress.

It’s not something people usually feel like they want more of their lives. It’s easy to overlook a key distinction here. Our commonly used term, “stress” is actually the short form of “distress”. Well, distress has an opposite, and that’s “eustress”. Certainly not commonly used, but it is the word for positive/good stress. Yes, stress can be positive. Yes, I know it sounds crazy. Stick with me, okay? Some examples of positive stress include rollercoasters, taking a vacation, going on a first date, having sex, or getting a raise at work.

Basically, when there is a significant hormonal surge in the brain accompanied by a quickening of the pulse, but there is no immediate threat or reason to be fearful, it’s positive stress. I Thought this was cool when I read about it.

Next up is…

2. Food.

There are certain foods that cause your body to produce endorphins. The top two are chocolate and strawberries. There is a reason chocolate is the go-to when trying to soothe or woo the fairer sex. Strawberries dipped in chocolate are an endorphin producing double whammy and a top seller for Valentine’s Day. Wink, Wink.

++ Side note: Spicy foods can also trigger the production of endorphins. However, this interaction does not have a positive connotation. When we eat spicy foods, the body reads the immune-response to high levels of capsaicin (the stuff that makes spicy food spicy) as pain. It then releases endorphins as an anesthetic and mood elevator, so you feel better. I know that isn’t really in the spirit of this post, but I didn’t want to leave it out.

So now you know what endorphins are and how you get more of them.

Are you unhappy for the reasons you thought you were?

Life can be tough and you can still be happy. They are not mutually exclusive.

Are you ready to start the journey to mental health and sustainable happiness? Then get moving.