A basic human desire is to be happy, and the feelings we associate with happiness are associated with three neurotransmitters and one hormone released in our brain when we do things that are good for us. These four brain messengers associated with happy and positive feelings are serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin.

Serotonin is involved in feeling good about ourselves. Activity in the serotonin neurons is the result of doing things that give us self-esteem. A lack of serotonin activity results in feeling lethargic and depressed.

Dopamine is involved in excitement and reward. We get a hit of dopamine when we set and achieve goals in life, even small ones. A lack of dopamine activity is involved in feeling unmotivated and uninspired. Stimulating dopamine neurons through addictive behaviors not only contributes to the compulsive nature of addiction, it is also involved in feeling burned out and uninterested in the real challenges of life.

Endorphins give us the feeling of bliss. When we do something good for ourselves, such as exercise, massage, or meditation, the neurons associated with endorphins fire off to ease pain and promote a feeling of well-being. Opioid drugs, such as morphine, mimic this chemical, which is why they help to ease pain and cause addiction. We can get a natural high, however, by doing positive things that promote our health and inner harmony.

Finally, oxytocin has been called the love hormone. It's associated with labor and childbirth, as well as breastfeeding, and contributes to mother-infant bonding. It's the hormone that gives us warm, fuzzy, and cozy feelings with other people. It fires off when we do things to increase trust and social bonding with other people, including affectionate behavior with those that we love.

While the best way to get the benefits of these happiness chemicals is to do the behaviors that promote our mental, physical, and social well-being, there are herbs and nutrients that can contribute to their production. We'll look at some formulas that can contribute to our sense of well-being in this month's Sunshine Sharing articles.