[One Thousand Characters a Day] Dr. Lee Si-hyung's 'Happiness Must Also Be Learned' <2>

by Jo Inkyung

Published 24 Apr.2023 06:00(KST)

Updated 24 Apr.2023 10:14(KST)

[One Thousand Characters a Day] Dr. Lee Si-hyung's 'Happiness Must Also Be Learned' <2>

Editor's NoteSerotonin is one of the neurotransmitters in our brain, also known as the "happiness hormone." It plays a balancing and regulatory role to prevent the brain from going to extremes, helping maintain calmness and bringing comfort and happiness. Dr. Lee Si-hyung (psychiatrist), in his book ＜You Also Need to Learn Happiness＞, approaches the relationship between serotonin and happiness from a neuroscientific perspective, explaining that happiness is not dependent on "luck" or "mindset" but something we can create ourselves. He also emphasizes that anyone who wants to be happy and studies serotonin and learns how to maximize it will naturally find happiness following. The text contains 922 characters.

'When do you feel happy?' Many people cannot answer this question immediately. It’s not that they don’t feel happiness, so why is that? The situations in which people feel happiness vary. We have previously discussed in detail the major brain chemicals that influence our emotions, behaviors, and judgments. Here, we consider four main types of happiness-inducing situations.

① Dopaminergic Happiness

When we achieve a goal or realize a dream, we feel a strong happiness accompanied by immense satisfaction and a sense of victory. The problem is that this feeling doesn’t last long and leads to greater and greater desires. To achieve this, competition is necessary, which brings stress. Also, when efforts fail, immediate complaints and dissatisfaction follow.

Of course, this is different from existential frustration discussed in logotherapy. The reason humans have endless desires is because of this. A major problem here is that it becomes habitual.

② Oxytocinergic Happiness

When we perform kind acts or express gratitude, a warm spark lights up inside, and we are immersed in endless joyful happiness. This happiness lasts a long time. When we see someone in trouble, our prefrontal cortex evokes empathy, making us feel compassion and the urge to help, which we act upon. We do not expect thanks or want to hear greetings. Humans have an altruistic nature. By doing so, we become happy ourselves. This is a precious substance that acts as social lubricant.

③ Serotonergic Happiness

At the end of a tiring day when you lie down to sleep, or when you go on a trip with good company, your mind feels extremely at ease. Total Relaxation?this is healing.

④ Composite Happiness

When we are with loved ones, we feel happy. The happiness felt at this time is composite happiness, involving all the substances related to happiness such as dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. Considering the human instinct of sexual arousal, sex hormones are also secreted simultaneously.

- Lee Si-hyung, You Also Need to Learn Happiness, Special Library, 16,000 KRW