The chemical that makes you happy can have the same effect on a herd of cattle contentedly grazing in a lush field. Some people might find the comparison humbling being accustomed to thinking in terms of a large gap between humanity and the creatures they kill and eat.
A group of human beings gathered in a restaurant will be influenced by what they see, hear, smell and taste. They will feel contented just as the cattle are contented surrounded by rich grass. In both cases the chemical known as serotonin is being produced by brains and fed into the bloodstreams, causing moods of contentment.
Advances in human knowledge of the brain have revealed similarities between ourselves and other humble creatures inhabiting the planet. Apparently, it is chemistry which accounts for many facets of herd behavior and social dominance. Even fruit flies and lobsters have in them the same chemicals found in human beings. The influences on behavior are similar, suggesting behavioral comparisons between lobsters and human beings.
The idea that humanity is somehow above and beyond the existence of other life forms survived theories of evolution. Now a fresh onslaught has been delivered by advances in knowledge of brain chemistry. The question of whether or not we have free will must be examined again.
Moody behavior has long puzzled psychologists and more recently animal behaviorists. Traditionally mood swings have been met with eyes raised and shoulders shrugged. Now the functioning of some intricate processes have been explained. The brain takes in information from the environment and as a result electrical impulses convey information resulting in the production of substances of various kinds. They create the moods experienced by individuals.
Advances in brain chemistry explain many of the connections between the intake of information and the unconscious responses to it. Stressful information influences the production of chemicals causing uncontrollable depression. Conversely, positive information input can produce the chemicals that make you happy.
A group of human beings gathered in a restaurant will be influenced by what they see, hear, smell and taste. They will feel contented just as the cattle are contented surrounded by rich grass. In both cases the chemical known as serotonin is being produced by brains and fed into the bloodstreams, causing moods of contentment.
Advances in human knowledge of the brain have revealed similarities between ourselves and other humble creatures inhabiting the planet. Apparently, it is chemistry which accounts for many facets of herd behavior and social dominance. Even fruit flies and lobsters have in them the same chemicals found in human beings. The influences on behavior are similar, suggesting behavioral comparisons between lobsters and human beings.
The idea that humanity is somehow above and beyond the existence of other life forms survived theories of evolution. Now a fresh onslaught has been delivered by advances in knowledge of brain chemistry. The question of whether or not we have free will must be examined again.
Moody behavior has long puzzled psychologists and more recently animal behaviorists. Traditionally mood swings have been met with eyes raised and shoulders shrugged. Now the functioning of some intricate processes have been explained. The brain takes in information from the environment and as a result electrical impulses convey information resulting in the production of substances of various kinds. They create the moods experienced by individuals.
Advances in brain chemistry explain many of the connections between the intake of information and the unconscious responses to it. Stressful information influences the production of chemicals causing uncontrollable depression. Conversely, positive information input can produce the chemicals that make you happy.
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