The Biochemicals that Drive Us

I’ve been interested in mind-body interaction for awhile and recently spent a bit of time getting “blog smart” (rather than actually smart) on some of the biochemicals in our bodies.  If you are ever in the mood for a round of procrastinating Internet research, it’s a worthwhile and really fascinating topic.

I got interested in the topic after a series of moments where I found myself noticing myself experiencing emotions that were clearly biochemical in nature – euphoria after drinking caffeine in the morning, mildly adrenaline high during routine presentations, irritation after the reason for the anger had dissipated.  Ten years ago, I would have conflated the experienced emotion with some subconsciously crafted story that was somewhat coherent with the data to serve as the rationale.  Today, in contrast, I sometimes find watch myself experiencing these emotions from a distance.  After noticing this, and also reading literature on how trust and infatuation have a chemical basis, I asked myself the question:  Are all emotions chemical in nature?

A few examples:

• Exercise and laughter release endorphins (Source 1 | 2)
  
• Eating raises blood sugar while the chewing releases endorphins (Source 1 | 2)
• Caffeine and alcohol release endorphins (Source 1 | 2)
• Social isolation produces cortisol (Source)
• Social interactions release oxytocin, reducing cortisol (Source)
• Music can also reduce cortisol levels (Source)
• Falling in love has a chemical basis, a cocktail of dopamine, vasopressin and oxytocin (Source)

I don’t mean to oversimplify emotions, and reduce us to our simple chemistry.  I don’t discount the power of free will and our ability to be our own deus ex machina.  I believe the interaction must be deeply complex, beyond our ability to predict or fully understand, and chemicals are only messengers and mediators.  But emotions have such a dramatic effect on our life’s experience, and there are myriad self-help books that instruct us to address these emotions directly when we have limited direct control over the biochemical drivers.  I have to wonder: Are we going about it all wrong?  

Some observations:

• Our physiological emotions are  mediated by chemicals
  
• A whole slew of things influence our biochemistry 
  
• We have limited direct control over this ecosystem
• How we think and how we act are our main levers
• One significant category of action is introducing and interfacing with external elements, notably other people 
• A complicating factor to be aware of is the extent to which our thoughts and behavior are swayed by chemicals, emotions, and other variables largely outside of our control

Perhaps the best way to manage our emotional state is obliquely.