23/10/2025
The science behind pleasure: what happens in our brain?
Our brain releases different chemicals for different reasons, to make us feel good in different ways. Serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins all have different roles within the body, all linked to pleasure.
✨Serotonin - Found in our brain and intestines, serotonin runs through our blood and throughout the central nervous system. Serotonin is considered ‘the happiness chemical’, contributing to self-esteem, feelings of belonging and holistic well-being.
✨Dopamine - Dopamine is sometimes referred to as the ‘reward molecule’. This is because, while it can be released after eating a good meal or having sex, it is usually associated with the feeling you get after achieving a goal.
✨ Oxytocin - oxytocin is a neurotransmitter typically released during physical contact. Oxytocin plays a big part of parent-child bonding, and is typically the bonding chemical released during breastfeeding. When we feel calm, safe, loved and protected in the arms of a friend or lover, that’s most likely oxytocin doing its thing.
✨ Endorphins - The word endorphin in part literally derives from the word ‘morphine’, as it is the body’s natural pain reliever. Produced by the central nervous system and pituitary gland, endorphins tend to release in the body during and after exercise (including sex), as well as eating and drinking.
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