One Way to Grow A Happy Brain
By
Natalie Moore
Posted April 11, 2016
- Happiness doesn’t come from the heart after all
- Grey matters most
- Grow your own happiness today!
Dear Reader,
It’s long been a human notion that happiness lies in your heart.
Time and again, people have proven this through their expressions. When you feel overjoyed or totally content, you may say something like “My heart is full.” Conversely, if you’re sad, you might say you’re brokenhearted.
One reason for this may be those warm and light feelings in your chest when you are truly happy or those sharp and aching pangs when you’re deeply sad.
As it turns out, though, your heart has little to do with your happiness — in fact, happiness is all in your head. Well, as research from Japan explains, a very specific part of your brain that is.
And what is even more incredible, the study suggests you may be able to physically grow the happy parts of your brain through a certain practice.
I will share this practice in bit. First, let’s take a closer look at what’s going on with happy brains.
Gray Matters
While science has had its finger on how certain hormones can affect our emotions for a while, it’s never been clear where happiness and contentment come from.
Recently, researchers from Kyoto University preformed a study to find the source of happiness once and for all.
During their quest, the scientist had 51 participants undergo MRI scans and then compete three short surveys in order to gauge their happiness and contentment with life, as well as how intensely they experience negative and positive emotions.
When the results came in, the scientists discovered that the participants who experienced high happiness scores had more gray matter in a certain part of the brain — the precuneus — than their gloomy counterparts.
The precuneus is a part of the brain that influences consciousness and self-reflection.
The tiny dot in the upper right portion of the brain is the precuneus — the happiness region of the brain. Photo credit: home.bt.com
The tiny dot in the upper right portion of the brain is the precuneus — the happiness region of the brain. Photo credit: home.bt.com
But what is so intriguing about this finding — it seems that you have the power to grow this part of your brain, just like a muscle, through meditation.
In fact, previous studies have shown that those who meditate may have more grey matter in the precuneus and report greater feelings of happiness and contentment.
It’s thought that the precuneus is of significance for subjective happiness — meaning the type of happiness that occurs when you “make the best of it.”
“Over history, many eminent scholars like Aristotle have contemplated what happiness is. I’m very happy that we now know more about what it means to be happy.”
“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” — Aristotle
As the research indicates, meditation maybe the quickest route to a larger precuneus.
Sato agrees, “Several studies have shown that meditation increases gray matter mass in the precuneus. This new insight on where happiness happens in the brain will be useful for developing happiness programs based on scientific research.”
While meditation may seem like an impossible task for most, the most important part is taking the first step.
There is a website that can help you find a meditation center near you. It’s called Meditationfinder.com. Simply put your location in the search box to find a center in your area.
Aristotle was right — happiness does depend upon ourselves. Get started meditating today and grow your brain happy!
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: nmoore@lfb.org – and click here to like us on Facebook.
P.S. Again, I urge you to take action and sign up for our FREE event. It may be the most important thing you do for your health this year.
This event will help you to discover the root causes of America’s growing brain health problem. Plus, it lays out a simple and easy plan to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Sources
[1] The structural neural substrate of subjective happiness
[2] The search for happiness: using MRI to find where happiness happens
[3] Dan Harris Launches New Meditation App for Fidgety Skeptics
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
The Sunshine Vitamin's Surprising Heart Benefits Revealed
Most folks know that vitamin D is vital for bone health. And if you’re a regular Living Well Daily reader, you also know how critical it is for overall health. But now, incredibly, a new study has revealed something that could change how we think about the “sunshine vitamin” forever. Researchers uncovered evidence that this...
Discover How Gut Bugs Shape Your Brain Health
We’ve all experienced an intuitive “gut feeling” before. But what if I told you your gut is doing FAR more than just sending you hunches? A new study has uncovered a fascinating link between the bacteria in your digestive system and your brain health. It might just change everything we thought we knew about preventing...
Build a Stronger Immune System at Any Age
As we age our immune systems need a little extra TLC to keep us healthy and strong. But don’t worry, boosting your immunity doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some of the best immune-boosting strategies are simple habits you can incorporate into your daily routine. So, let’s dive into some tried-and-true tips...
Natural Solutions to Snoring
Regardless of whether you’re the snorer or the unfortunate bedmate, snoring is a source of stress for countless couples. The endless, rhythmic, sawing sounds can disrupt the rest of even the deepest sleepers. But before you resort to earplugs or separate bedrooms, let’s explore some natural ways to tackle snoring. Snoring isn’t just annoying. It...
Shedding New Light on Depression with this “Sunlight” Hack
You’ve likely heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This form of the blues hits as the leaves fall and the days grow shorter. Well, new research reveals that the same therapy that helps many folks battling SAD feel better could be a ray of hope for those fighting other types of depression, too. Here’s what...
Mailbag: Reverse Atherosclerosis Naturally? Science Says Yes—Here's How
“What actually reverses heart clogging?” -Heartfelt Hi Heartfelt, I have good news. We used to think reversing arterial plaque buildup or “heart clogging” was impossible, but now we know better. When my own patients ask me about atherosclerosis (the medical term for clogged arteries), I explain that—while complete reversal can be challenging—research confirms that specific...
Study Pinpoints Foods That Send Disease Risk Soaring
We’ve all heard that old saying, “You are what you eat.” Well, it’s been around for so long because it’s true. And it turns out your dinner plate could secretly stoke the fires of disease in your body. A new study revealed a shocking truth about the American diet. This time it’s not about calories...
Feast Without Fear of Packing on the Pounds
With all the festive feasts and indulgent treats this holiday season, many of us are already bracing for the inevitable battle of the bulge. But is holiday weight gain really as unavoidable as we think? Let’s unwrap the truth behind this seasonal struggle (pun intended). And I’ll share some simple strategies to keep those extra...
PLAY Your Way to Better Brain Health!?
Are you convinced video games are just for kids? Well, think again! A remarkable new study suggests that playing the RIGHT kinds of games could help turn back the clock on your brain, improving cognitive performance, memory, and more. The best part? You probably already have everything you need to get started—right in your pocket…...
'Tis the Season for A Tumultuous Tummy?
The holiday season is in full swing! And you know what that means… lots of festive food, drinks, and—indigestion. But you don’t have to let a bubbly gut crash YOUR Christmas party. I’ll share some simple hacks to help you keep the festivities going… The holidays are brimming with celebrations and plenty of rich food...