In the first part of the “Dialogue on Happiness,” we discussed the topic without mentioning the two main aspects that scholars, from Aristotle to contemporary positive psychology, consider fundamental for happiness. They are: hedonia and eudaimonia (1,2,3,4).
In general terms, hedonia refers to pleasure. Eudaimonia, in turn, corresponds to a significantly valuable and productive life experience, that is, a well-lived life. Conceptually, these two aspects differ from each other. Empirically, however, it is observed that people who score high on the hedonia questionnaire also score high on the eudaimonia questionnaire, which shows that a true state of well-being and happiness includes both pleasure and an engaged, valuable life (1,3).
When we talk about pleasure, we easily identify it as an important aspect of evolution. In this sense, we highlight the three main sources of pleasure for humans that are also common to other species: food, sex, and social interaction. On the other hand, basically only humans enjoy abstract or cultural pleasures, such as personal, intellectual, artistic, musical, altruistic fulfillment, as well as transcendental pleasures (1,4). Soon we will dedicate a post to discuss more about transcendental pleasures, that is, about well-being related to spirituality.
As pleasure is an important component of happiness, one of the ways to understand the biological mechanisms that generate it is to study the brain circuits involved in the sensation of pleasure.
Recent research in neuroscience has identified different regions of the brain activated during a pleasurable experience, with the main ones being: nucleus accumbens, ventral pallidum, and brainstem. Other regions also involved are: amygdala and cortex, especially the prefrontal cortex, in the sub-regions of orbitofrontal, anterior cingulate, and insula (1).
The discovery of pleasure pathways is of great interest to science, but also to the market, as companies from various sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics can benefit from this knowledge for the development of products and services related to well-being.
To conclude in a light manner, let’s reflect a bit on the word pleasure! Its meaning encompasses synonyms such as contentment, joy, joviality, satisfaction, delight, enjoyment, goodwill, pleasure, distraction, fun (6). Interestingly, its etymology comes from the Latin “placere” – to be approved, accepted, loved - and is related to “placare” – to calm, to soothe (7).
Indeed, in the quietness and calmness of spirit, we enjoy true peace, find satisfaction in living, and reconnect with our essence, which is the essence of love and happiness.
References:
Berridge K.C., Kringelbach M.L. Building a neuroscience of pleasure and well-being. Psychol Well Being. October 24; 1(1): 1–3, 2011;
Deci E.L., Ryan R.M. Hedonia, eudaimonia, and well-being: an introduction. Journal of Happiness Studies. Volume 9, Number 1, 2008;
Kringelbach M.L., Berridge K.C; The Neuroscience of Happiness and Pleasure. Soc Res, 77(2): 659–678, 2010;
Kringelbach M.L., Berridge K.C. Towards a functional neuroanatomy of pleasure and happiness. Trends Cogn Sci. Nov; 13(11):479-87, 2009;
Rolls ET. Mechanisms for sensing fat in food in the mouth: Presented at the Symposium "The Taste for Fat: New Discoveries on the Role of Fat in Sensory Perception, Metabolism, Sensory Pleasure and Beyond" held at the Institute of Food Technologists 2011 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, USA., June 12, 2011. J Food Sci. Mar; 77(3):S140-2, 2012;
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