Hacking Happiness

By Sienna Evans

In this groundbreaking book, the author delves into the intersection of neuro-scientific research and spiritual practices, exploring the various ways in which they contribute to our understanding of happiness. The author also explores the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of happiness, and the ways in which different religious and cultural traditions view the pursuit of joy and contentment. This book offers a holistic perspective on the nature of happiness and provides practical guidance for cultivating well-being in everyday life.

"WHEN I READ THIS BOOK, SOMETHING CLICKED! AS YOU
BEGIN TO LEARN YOURSELF, YOU LEARN TO MASTER YOUR EMOTIONS AND HAPPINESS!" - C.H.

"SIENNA'S BOOK IS NOT ONLY QUITE INFORMATIONAL, BUT INCREDIBLY WELL WRITTEN. A MUST-READ FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SELF-HELP AND POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY." - DR. RAY HAMILTON PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BooxAi
• Release date: May 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9789655781403

Book preview

1

HAPPINESS COMES FROM WITHIN… LITERALLY

Happiness is a gift, and the trick is not to expect it, but to delight in it when it comes.

-Charles Dickens

Happiness has been a subject of human fascination and pursuit for centuries. From philosophers to poets, scientists to musicians, great minds have contemplated the nature of happiness, its origin, and how to attain it. In modern times, neuroscientists have also been fascinated by the concept of happiness and how the human brain functions to produce this complex emotion.

As Charles Dickens once said, Happiness is a gift, and the trick is not to expect it but to rejoice in it when it happens. In this book, we will explore the neuroscience of happiness and the latest findings on what makes us happy. We will delve into the intricacies of the human brain and how it produces and modulates our emotions, including happiness. We will also examine the role of genetics, environment, and social factors in determining said emotions.

Throughout this book, we will use scientific evidence to provide practical tips and strategies to promote brain health and well-being. We will also explore the connection between happiness and physical health, as well as the role of mindfulness and spirituality in promoting a fulfilled life.

The age-old saying, happiness comes from within… may seem like a cliche, but this phrase can be taken quite literally. Do you remember the last time you were truly happy? Where were you? What did it feel like? Who was present?

Oftentimes for me, I simply stumble upon happiness and think, Wow. I am in a really amazing mood right now. Happiness can really hit you out of nowhere. A few years ago, I found myself asking, "Where exactly does happiness come from? Or any other emotion, for that matter?" This question is one that I've devoted a lot of time and research to, and the answer may be surprising.

Growing up, I always dreamt of becoming a doctor. My parents were so keen on the idea that I had never really considered a different career path. So, upon my admission into university, the first thing that I did was take my pre-med classes and continue the usual path to medical school. I completed my undergraduate studies at Florida Atlantic University where I ended up Majoring in Neuroscience, Cognition & Human Behaviour although initially I was a biology major. It was a life-changing event that sparked my sudden interest in the brain specifically. On November 31, 2017, my father suffered from a major stroke.

I was sitting on my bed with my little sister, Meliyah, when I got the call. Sienna, It’s an emergency! Your dad had a stroke!

A stroke? I wasn't too familiar with exactly what it was, so I googled it immediately.

"A stroke occurs when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death."

"Death?" I whispered to myself softly. This was serious.

My parents lived in the Bahamas at the time, so my sister and I anxiously waited the entire night in order to catch a flight home the next morning. As the hours grew longer, I grew more optimistic. I expected to go to the hospital and see him sleeping, or even maybe awake but recovering. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw next. I walked into his hospital room, and the first thing that hit me was the smell. It smelt like flesh and cleaning products. Then it was the sound. That animatronic beeping the heart monitor keeping track of his heart rate. Slow and steadily punctuating every word that was said and every step I took closer to his bedside. There he was. Intubated, in a coma. His head was wrapped on the right side but swollen to almost twice the size. He was dying. My mother came to me. Her eyes were red and swollen

from crying the entire night. My mother was always a strong woman with unwavering confidence. You know, the type of person who knew exactly what to do. This time she didn't. She searched for comfort in me for the first time that day. I sat on the little black rolling stool, watching the undulation of my father's fat stomach rise and fall as she explained exactly what happened.

He was in Freeport last night... working when it happened, she said. He called me and complained of a bad headache. Then his words sounded confused. He started jumbling his sentences. Then I heard him collapse. Tears welled in my mother's eyes as she recounted the story. I remember being so scared and feeling so helpless. But then I became curious. I kept asking myself, "What is happening inside his head?"

My father was in a coma for an entire month. For 30 days and 30 nights, we didn't know whether or not he would survive. With each day that passed curiosity grew stronger and stronger. The doctors prepared us for the worst. He might be... different. They said, That's if he ever wakes up.

But one morning in January, he finally woke up from his coma. And he was different. He lost 100 pounds and could speak, but barely. He lost all sensation and function in the left side of his body. He had a basal ganglia stroke on the right side of his brain, and because our brains process information contralaterally, the left side of his body was left paralyzed. It took months and months of therapy, but eventually, he recovered to the point where he could walk again.

In the spring, I returned to university with a newfound thirst for knowledge and a new purpose. I switched my major to Neuroscience to better understand the inner workings of the human brain. I was obsessed. Along my educational journey, my two favorite classes were Neuroanatomy & Cellular Neuroscience. It was in Cellular Neuroscience however, that I became self-aware. It was in this class that I learned that each and every thought and action that takes place in our lives is caused by a chemical reaction in our brains. These chemical reactions result in electrical charges that are then processed and relayed through our brain cells called neurons.

There's electricity inside of us!

Our sadness, pain, pleasure, and wonder. These are all emotions caused by chemical reactions in our brains. And if you can initiate these reactions, you can elicit a change in them. Everything that makes up who we are comes from within.

So, yes, although it's a cliche, happiness does come from within, not because of a saying, but because it literally originates from an organ in our bodies. Our brain is an organ we all need to get to know a little better. This book is not only a review of the anatomy of our brains, but a breakdown of how brain anatomy, our daily habits, and spirituality contribute to happiness, brain health and overall well-being. So, let's start with the brain.

copyright Johns Hopkins Hospital

The human brain is a complex organ responsible for controlling and coordinating all bodily functions. It is divided into several central regions, each with a specific function.

1. The cerebrum is the largest and most prominent part of the brain. It is divided into two hemispheres, and the left and right are connected by a bundle of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum. The cerebrum is responsible for conscious thought, memory, emotion, and voluntary muscle movement.

2. The cerebellum is located beneath the cerebrum and is responsible for coordinating movement, balance, and posture.

3. The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls essential functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It also contains vital structures such as the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain.

4. The diencephalon is located deep within the brain and contains the thalamus and hypothalamus. The thalamus acts as a relay station for incoming sensory information, while the hypothalamus controls the release of hormones and regulates hunger, thirst, and body temperature.

5. Finally, the limbic system is a group of structures that play a role in emotions, motivation, and memory. The hippocampus, an essential structure for memory formation, is part of the limbic system.

The structure and function of different regions of the brain are closely linked to various psychological processes. For example, the cerebrum or frontal cortex, which is the largest and most complex part of the brain, is associated with a wide range of cognitive functions such as perception, memory, and reasoning. Damage to specific regions of the cerebrum