Your Neurochemical Self

Dopamine

The Harsh Truth About Dopamine

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on June 17, 2021

Your brain turns on the excitement of dopamine when you approach a reward, but it defines "rewards" with neural pathways built from your dopamine past. New paths to dopamine await.

Your brain turns on the excitement of dopamine when you approach a reward, but it defines "rewards" with neural pathways built from your dopamine past. New paths to dopamine await.

Dopamine

This Is the Face of Cortisol

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on April 15, 2021

We often hide our negative reactions, even from ourselves. Babies can help us understand our natural responses.

We often hide our negative reactions, even from ourselves. Babies can help us understand our natural responses.

Anxiety

How Did Our Ancestors Manage Anxiety?

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on March 8, 2021

Our ancestors lived with huge threats, but they coped by focusing on their next step.

Our ancestors lived with huge threats, but they coped by focusing on their next step.

Oxytocin

The Biology of Belonging

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on December 29, 2020

Mammals live in herds for protection from predators, and we've inherited a brain that rewards you with oxytocin when you stick with the herd. But herd life is not all warm and fuzzy.

Mammals live in herds for protection from predators, and we've inherited a brain that rewards you with oxytocin when you stick with the herd. But herd life is not all warm and fuzzy.

Shyness

Why Shy?

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on October 20, 2020

Past threats wire you to expect new threats, but you can wire in positive expectations too. Here's how.

Past threats wire you to expect new threats, but you can wire in positive expectations too. Here's how.

Anxiety

False Alarms: 7 Reasons Why We Have Them

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on July 14, 2020

Your brain evolved to protect you from touching a hot stove twice. It alarms you when you see anything similar to a past threat. You can accept old pathways and flow into new ones.

Your brain evolved to protect you from touching a hot stove twice. It alarms you when you see anything similar to a past threat. You can accept old pathways and flow into new ones.

Fear

Fear Is Natural, But You Can Be Super-Natural

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on June 18, 2020

If you share the fears of those around you, your life will be wasted in fear. You can learn to redirect it when you understand it.

If you share the fears of those around you, your life will be wasted in fear. You can learn to redirect it when you understand it.

Leadership

What Good Can Come of This?

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on April 15, 2020

We are building time management skills and social skills, and putting realistic expectations above the blame game. These are things to celebrate.

We are building time management skills and social skills, and putting realistic expectations above the blame game. These are things to celebrate.

Anxiety

Stuck at Home? How to Keep Up Your Happy Chemicals

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on March 15, 2020

Here's how to avoid a cortisol spiral, even when others panic.

Here's how to avoid a cortisol spiral, even when others panic.

Laughter

Three Ways to Laugh More

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on March 8, 2020

Laughing stimulates endorphins and helps you avoid cortisol. Here are three simple strategies that anyone can use.

Laughing stimulates endorphins and helps you avoid cortisol. Here are three simple strategies that anyone can use.

Fear

Fear the Future?

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on December 27, 2019

Your sense of dread about the future is natural. You have power over it when you know where it comes from.

Your sense of dread about the future is natural. You have power over it when you know where it comes from.

Health

Personal Responsibility and Mental Health

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on October 8, 2019

Mental health is a skill that must be learned.

Mental health is a skill that must be learned.

Dopamine

Your Self-Soothing Habit

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on August 28, 2019

Our happy habits feel good in the short run, but we may use them to avoid our feelings.

Our happy habits feel good in the short run, but we may use them to avoid our feelings.

Dopamine

Why We Want What Others Have

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on July 29, 2019

Social comparison shapes our happiness because we're mammals. We have power over this impulse when we understand it.

Social comparison shapes our happiness because we're mammals. We have power over this impulse when we understand it.

Stress

From Stressed to Rest in an Hour

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on July 10, 2019

Our brain prioritizes bad feelings because it evolved in a dangerous world. You can train your brain to go to a happy place instead.

Our brain prioritizes bad feelings because it evolved in a dangerous world. You can train your brain to go to a happy place instead.

Health

Mental Health Through an International Lens

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on May 27, 2019

I haven't heard much positivity lately, so I am thrilled to find it in the Latin America Positive Psychology Network.

I haven't heard much positivity lately, so I am thrilled to find it in the Latin America Positive Psychology Network.

Dopamine

This Is the Face of Dopamine

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on March 25, 2019

The joy of dopamine is released when you meet a need, but your brain defines needs in a quirky way. Knowledge is power!

The joy of dopamine is released when you meet a need, but your brain defines needs in a quirky way. Knowledge is power!

Friends

When Others Hold You Back

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on March 6, 2019

Clinging to others promotes survival in nature but it frustrates us in daily life. You can manage this frustration when you know how you produce it inside you.

Clinging to others promotes survival in nature but it frustrates us in daily life. You can manage this frustration when you know how you produce it inside you.

Fear

Expecting a Crisis?

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on January 20, 2019

Instead of focusing on the threats lurking everywhere, you can discover new pastures. You can train your brain to feel safe when you know how it creates alarm.

Instead of focusing on the threats lurking everywhere, you can discover new pastures. You can train your brain to feel safe when you know how it creates alarm.

Sport and Competition

Cheer Does a Body Good

Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on December 31, 2018

Whether you're cheering a new year, a sports team, or a birthday, it feels good. There may be lasting benefits too, so it's worth finding authentic opportunities to cheer.

Whether you're cheering a new year, a sports team, or a birthday, it feels good. There may be lasting benefits too, so it's worth finding authentic opportunities to cheer.