Upward Spiral

"The benefits of gratitude start with the dopamine systems, because feeling grateful activates the brain stem region that produces dopamine. Additionally, gratitude toward others increases activity in social dopamine circuits which makes social interactions more enjoyable."

"One powerful effect of gratitude is that it can boost serotonin. Trying to think of things you are grateful for forces you to focus on the positive aspects of your life. This simple act increases production in the anterior cingulate cortex."

"It's not finding gratitude that matters most; it is remembering to look in the first place. Remembering to be grateful is a form of emotional intelligence. One study found that it actually affected neuron density in both the ventromedial and lateral prefrontal cortex. These density changes suggest that as emotional intelligence increases, the neurons in these areas become more efficient with higher emotional intelligence, it simply takes less effort to be grateful."

"Everything is interconnected. Gratitude improves sleep. Sleep reduces pain. Reduced pain improves your mood. Improved mood reduces anxiety, which improves focus and planning. Focus and planning help with decision making. Decision making further reduces anxiety and promotes enjoyment. Enjoyment gives you more to be grateful for, which keeps the loop of the upward spiral going." ~Alex Korb  PHD Neuroscientist

Doctor Korb's book the "Upward Spiral," was published in 2015. This blog began in 2012.