[One Thousand Characters a Day] Happy Elderly People Do Not Grow Old <3>

Editor's NoteCan the feeling of happiness also fall within the realm of medicine? From the perspective of anti-aging medicine, the answer is 'yes.' Numerous studies have proven that happy people live healthier and longer lives. Happiness begins with actions. This is why people who find meaning and value in their work during old age experience a higher sense of happiness. Finding work that satisfies oneself and putting it into practice is the most successful anti-aging strategy. Word count: 767 characters.

In 1954, an experiment by American neurologist James Olds attracted widespread attention. He implanted electrodes into the hypothalamus of rats, the brain area that triggers desire through dopamine release, and set it so that pressing a switch would activate the electrodes. The rats inside the cage could operate the switch themselves.

The results were shocking. As soon as the rats understood the function of the switch, they did not let go of it. The rats pressed the switch frantically to receive dopamine. After a while, the rats stopped doing anything else. They neither mated nor ate or drank, only continuously pressing the switch. Olds removed the electrodes to free the unhappy rats.

Of course, such experiments on humans are prohibited. However, in Las Vegas, one can often see people sitting in front of gambling machines day and night, pulling the handles while hoping that coins will pour out someday. The reactions occurring in these unfortunate people's brains are not much different from those of the rats pressing the switch. The same goes for people who check their phones every hour to see if their Instagram 'likes' have increased. The situation worsens over time.

(Omitted)

There is a dark side to our relentless craving for happiness. All kinds of pleasure can, on the one hand, become addictive. On the other hand, through various drugs, we can manipulate our brains so that they no longer require the motivation of happiness. Applied to reality, this means we must also learn how to become happy. We should learn well how to feel pleasure but must not be conquered by it.

- Bernd Kleine-Gunk, Happy Old People Do Not Age, translated by Kang Young-ok, Gimmyoungsa, 17,800 KRW

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.