Start Here -The Science of Happiness Explained

TheBroCode Rule #1: Have your bros’ back no matter what. You’re not bros if you can’t watch out for each other.

Welcome to the 1st inaugural edition of TheBroCode. Glad you’re here bro. Let’s dive right in….

In this edition, we break down the Science of Happiness, the setup, the triggers, and the happiness equation.

The image below seems a bit much to take in but it’s critically important for YOUR life that you understand the chemical breakdown happening in your brain bro.

Let’s get started!!..

If you’ve ever felt the feeling of happiness, pride, joy, love, fulfillment, success, winning something, they’re ALL chemically induced feelings. These 4 chemicals above are pretty much responsible for all the feelings that we categorize as happiness. We always want MORE of these feelings.

EDSO can be broken down into 2 categories. The “selfish” chemicals (ED) and the “unselfish” chemicals (SO).

Endorphins are the chemicals released when you go for a run or workout at the gym, for example. It’s designed to mask physical pain. It’s why when you go for a run, you start to feel a ‘runners high’ or when you workout you feel really good, because immediately the endorphins kick in to mask the pain. That’s why as men we get addicted to these things because it’s easy to chase the high that doesn’t involve anyone else. Doesn’t involve interactions or community, it’s a solo thing that you can do to get that chemical rush in your brain. It’s the same reason why laughing feels so good. Have you ever felt like you’re gonna die laughing because somethin’ was so funny? That’s your body releasing endorphins to mask the physical pain of convulsing your organs and then eventually you say “stop stop, it hurts” because the endorphin run rush ran out and you can feel the pain. Again, it’s a solo high internally.

Dopamine is the chemical that’s released to help you feel pleasure, get things done, and motivate you. From the “itis” you get from overeating, to the rush from online gambling, jerking off, constantly checking your social media after a post, or accomplishing ‘to do list's’, and hitting goals, this is the greatest double-edged sword that can make or break you as a man. Dopamine is very visually oriented. That’s why they say to write down your goals, so you can see them. Your brain will process it differently and then try to achieve it to get that dopamine fix. (it’s also why all the notifications on your phone or constantly checking tiktoks are bad for you bro, the constant dopamine hits will make you unproductive)

It’s why the world today constantly misdiagnoses everyone with ADD and ADHD. every dude sits around saying they have ADD, when really they’re just trained in this world to be easily distracted. Gen Z wasn’t just all of sudden just born with a frontal lobe disorder out of nowhere….it’s the constant dopamine hits from technology and devices that are causing distractability.

OK, so those are the “selfish chemicals because, they don’t involve anyone else really, these are chemicals you can induce yourself in your brain that give you the feeling of ‘happiness’, but these are the short-lived hits like a crackhead smokin’ crack every 10 minutes. What you really wanna do is re-train your mind to go after the “unselfish” chemicals that lead to feelings of happiness. It’s because of Serotonin and Oxytocin that the Elon Musks of the world are able to fulfill their responsibilities as leaders, and humanity in general can achieve great things.

 Strive to have as many chemical hits of SO rather than ED. This is one of the keys🗝️ to killing anxiety and depression as well bro. (SO>ED)

Serotonin is the chemical that’s released when we gain public recognition and status. Graduations, award ceremonies, winning championships. This comes from being recognized by others for things we’re doing or have done. Great thing is that when Serotonin levels go up, your confidence levels goes up as well.

This is what drives leaders, successful businessmen, star athletes, a lot of the celebs and role models we look up to as men, this is a MAIN driver in what keeps them motivated. Making your family proud, winning a championship for your coach, or mentoring others. This is what should drive you. This is what Serotonin is trying to get you to do, this is the feeling you’re really chasing, instead, you’re using cheap dopamine hits to fill the gap. Focus on your achievements, set goals, and let the happy chemical do its thing..

Oxytocin is the chemical that’s released from doing nice things for people, bonding, feeling love, and trust. This is what us men tend to struggle with the most, which is WHY if we strive to achieve the release of this chemical above all else, it will have the greatest change and impact on mood and feelings.

When you’re sacrificing your time and energy, without wanting or needing anything in return, this is how you get oxytocin, this is because you’re giving up your biggest assets, time and/or energy.

This is why holding a door for someone or helping an elderly person cross the road or helping someone carry their bags, etc., these actions all release Oxytocin. So does, physical touch, intimacy, you know that moment you think you’re falling in love, or sexual passion, or when you finally realize you have a best friend you can trust?, that feeling, is a release of oxytocin.

Both of these ‘unselfish types (SO) are what lead to you being a better version of you. High levels of Oxytocin actually prevent addiction, boosts your immune system, makes you healthier, which helps you live longer. 

In simple words, the reason why Spartans are all so elite and the reason why each Spartan separated is a leader in their own right, is because their most important weapon was not the spear, it was the shield. The ability to protect the person to the left and the right of them is what mattered the most. In modern day, your ability to sacrifice some time, some energy, maybe acts of kindness, this willingness to sacrifice is what will make you a GREAT man and a great leader. It is also a recipe to help with your depression and get you out of dark places.

I know, that was a lot to fuckin’ digest…but read it again 👆🏽..the more you grasp the concepts of brain chemicals above, the more you’ll be able to explain why you feel the way you do sometimes…and it’s worth it.

Invest in YOU.

Now that we’ve talked about the science of happiness, let’s get into the qu equation of how it plays out in your life, I mean this is pretty simple to understand bro. Let’s run through it..

Every situation and interaction we have from the time we wake up, are events. Brushing your teeth is an event, eating breakfast is an event, playing games, working, etc. are all events. The reason many of you feel unhappy is because you set these expectations in your mind for how everything SHOULD BE vs how things ACTUALLY are, which is what sets up your unhappiness or disappointment.

Instead, Do this:

1. REMOVE the word SHOULD from your vocabulary. SHOULD doesn’t exist anymore. SHOULD is one of the most harmful words EVER. (google it if you don’t believe me bro)

2. Replace it with “CAN”, “COULD” or “WILL”

   Now, instead of :

   “I SHOULD go to the gym, find a new job, eat healthier, etc.

   RE-TRAIN YOUR BRAIN to:

   I CAN OR WILL go the the gym, find a new job, eat healthier, etc.