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Happy Hormones are the hormones that promote positive feelings in the body such as happiness and pleasure. Hormones can be understood as the chemical messengers of the human body. They travel through the blood and are a vital part of many processes. Some of the processes of the human body in which hormones play an important role are happiness, anger, sadness, and disgust. The four happy hormones in the human body are known as endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin.
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Key Terms: Hormones, Happy Hormones, Endorphins, Mood, Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin
Happy Hormones in Human Body
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Out of all the hormones in the human body, four are classified as happy hormones. These are -
Endorphins
Endorphins are the chemicals or the happy hormones produced by the human body to relieve stress and pain. The endorphin levels in the body vary from one person to another.
- These hormones are formed in the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.
- One of the instances of the release of the endorphins hormone is the runner’s high which is generally felt after a lengthy and strenuous exercise.
- Therefore, this hormone is also known as the “feel-good” hormone.
Dopamine
Dopamine is the happy hormone that is responsible for attention, motivation, and memory.
- Dopamine is also needed to regulate the movements of the body.
- Dopamine is a happy hormone that is stored in different parts of the brain such as the substantia nigra or ventral tegmental area.
- If released in large quantities, the hormone can induce pleasure that motivates an individual to repeat that behavior.
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| Concepts Related to Human Enndocrine System | ||
|---|---|---|
| Human Insulin | Estrogen | Difference between nervous and endocrine system |
| Difference between endocrine and exocrine glands | Insulin and Glucagon | ADH Hormone |
| Luteinizing Hormone | Goiter | Antidiuretic Hormone |
Oxytocin
Also known as the “love hormone, oxytocin happy hormone is generally released with physical contacts such as hugging, kissing, and sex.
- Oxytocin is necessary for the bonding between a child and a parent as well as for breastfeeding.
- Oxytocin hormone is produced in the pituitary gland by the posterior lobe.
- This happy hormone also promotes empathy and trust in a relationship.
Production of Oxytocin in Human Body
Serotonin
Serotonin is the happy hormone that is responsible to regulate the processes of digestion, sleep, appetite, memory, and the learning ability of an individual.
- Serotonin is responsible for maintaining balance in the mood of an individual.
- Therefore, low levels of serotonin are linked with depression.
How to boost happy hormones?
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Happy hormones in the human body can be boosted through the following methods -
- Regular strenuous exercise is known to increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine in our bodies.
- The dopamine levels in our brain are also increased by listening to music.
- Spending time in the sunlight outdoors can also boost the endorphin and serotonin levels of the body.
- Supplements like green tea can boost the production of dopamine and serotonin. However, individuals with underlying health conditions should consult their doctors before using supplements to boost their happy hormones.
- Laughter is an effective way to boost dopamine and endorphin levels.
- Certain food items are known to increase or boost the levels of all 4 happy hormones.
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Things to Remember
- Happy hormones are the chemical messengers that generate a positive feeling in the body
- There are 4 happy hormones - endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.
- Endorphins relieve pain and stress in the body.
- Dopamine is responsible for memory, attention, and motivation.
- Serotonin is responsible to regulate digestion, sleep, appetite, learning ability, and memory.
- Oxytocin is the happy hormone released after physical contact.
Sample Questions
Ques 1: Define Hormones. (1 mark)
Ans: Hormone is a regulatory substance that stimulates specific tissues or cells in action when produced in an organism and transported to tissue fluids of that organism like blood or sap.
Ques 2: Which gland is named as Gland of emergency? (1 mark)
Ans: Adrenal gland is known as the gland of emergency.
Ques 3: Glucagon is secreted by which gland? (1 mark)
Ans: In the endocrine gland, alpha cells of the pancreas secrete Glucagon.
Ques 4: List two hormones that antagonistically act to regulate calcium levels in the blood. (2 marks)
Ans: Two hormones that antagonistically act to regulate calcium levels in the blood are:
- Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- Thyrocalcitonin (TCT)
Ques 5: Which factor helps in decreasing blood pressure? (2 marks)
Ans: Dilation of the blood vessels is triggered and in urine excretion of sodium in urine helps in reducing blood pressure due to the Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF).
Ques 6: If a person suffers from prolonged hyperglycemia, what will happen? (2 marks)
Ans: If a person suffers from prolonged hyperglycemia, the person gets affected by diabetes mellitus, which can cause the formation of harmful ketone bodies and loss of glucose through urine.
Ques 7: Which hormone is known as Birth Hormone? (3 marks)
Ans: During the birth of the child, the muscles of the uterus are smoothened by the vigorous contractions which are stimulated by the Oxytocin hormone, also referred to as the birth hormone. Once the baby is delivered, this hormone also helps in the production of mother milk by mammary glands. During the ejection of milk from the mammary glands, oxytocin also stimulates vigorous contractions.
Ques 8: Write down the functions of the pineal gland. (3 marks)
Ans: The functions of the Pineal Gland are as given below:
- The pineal gland can cause a reduction in the reproductive activity in an individual which results in a delay in the sexual development of that individual.
- Circadian rhythms, also known as sleep patterns, are regulated by the pineal gland.
- Melatonin hormone is released by the Pineal Gland.
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