Yes, you can “fake out” your own brain.
Smiling fools your brain into thinking you are happy, then this creates actual happiness. A smile spurs a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing certain hormones including dopamine and serotonin*.
Now here’s the fake-out: Our brain isn’t good at telling the difference between a smile because you are happy and a fake smile.
Smiles by Peggy
But wait . . . there’s more
“A study performed by a group at the University of Cardiff in Wales found that people who could not frown due to botox injections were happier on average than those who could frown.”
“And there are plenty more studies out there: Researchers at the University of Kansas published findings that smiling helps reduce the body’s response to stress and lower heart rate in tense situations; another study linked smiling to lower blood pressure, while yet another suggests that smiling leads to longevity.”
Smiling enhances our Immune system
“More than happiness is at stake. Dr. Murray Grossan, an ENT-otolaryngologist looks at the study of how the brain is connected to the immune system. He asserts that it has been found “over and over again” that depression weakens your immune system, while happiness boosts your immune system.”
“What’s crazy is that just the physical act of smiling can make a difference in building your immunity,” says Dr. Grossan. “When you smile, the brain sees the muscle [activity] and assumes that humor is happening.”
Smiles are contagious
“This is because we have mirror neurons that fire when we see action,” says Dr. Eva Ritzo, As its name suggests, mirror neurons enable us to copy or reflect the behavior we observe in others and have been linked to the capacity for empathy.”
“Try smiling into the mirror. Dr. Ritzo recommends smiling at yourself in the mirror, an act she says not only triggers our mirror neurons, but can also help us calm down and re-center if we’re feeling low or anxious.”
So SMILE and pass on a dose of neurochemical happy
*Dopamine increases our feelings of happiness. Serotonin release is associated with reduced stress. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression and aggression. Low levels of dopamine are also associated with depression.
Thanks very helpful Let’s Smile!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for this interesting post. I am sending a big smile your way and will continue to smile frequently. Funnily, meditation suggest that you keep a small smile on your face as you meditate. So, back ups to the theory everywhere.
Apart from which, smiling is more fun than frowning.
Miriam
LikeLike
Miriam,
I have read a bit about meditation, but did not know a small smile was suggested. Thanks for your information! Keep smiling. I understand smiles take less effort that frowns, too.
Peggy
LikeLike
If you have problem smiling, fake it til you make it.
LikeLike
Yes!
LikeLike
Love this. Am posting on my facebook page. Have always been a fsn of smiling! It all makes sense..something so simple with so much impact.
Peta
LikeLike
Peta,
Yea! Pass the smiles.
Peggy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Peta,
THANK YOU FOR REPOSTING!!!! We are putting in a lot of time and effort (as YOU know how much goes into blogging) to share the information we’ve accumulated over the years and keeping up with current research. You make us smile with your help.
Peggy & Judy
LikeLiked by 1 person
You guys do a terrifi job!!
LikeLike
Peta,
Happy tricking,
Peggy
LikeLike
My grinning lips, oh dopamine,
How easy ‘tis to fool my brain
Convinced I am a happy fan
I’ve won luck with jubilance
Grant me please one more wish
A skinny figure on a dessert dish
If you can use chemicals as a tool
You must convince this lady fool
Chocolate cake is not so good
Green veggies are delicious food
So when I next get on the scale
It doesn’t yell, “Get off me, whale”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shari,
Oh my goodness . . . I’m laughing my “whale” off. You’ve missed your calling with all those serious novels and poems. I’m keeping this one so when you are a famous author I can blackmail you!!!
My highest compliment: I wish I had written this
j.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So good! 🤣👍🏼
LikeLike