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Did you know... The average Brit smiles roughly 13 times every day? But what goes on behind the scenes while you smile? We delve deep in to the inner workings of the brain to discover the benefits of turning a frown upside down.

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NEUROPEPTIDES

Neuropeptides are tiny molecules that enable neurons to communicate with each other to send information around your body.

So, when you feel happy, sad, or in pain, neuropeptides help to spread the message.

Neuropeptides can also trigger reactions in the body that help relieve stress and restore calm after a nerve-wracking event.

Pituitary Gland

Endorphins come from the Pituity Gland, and when you smile, they are distributed outwards through your nervous system, blocking any pain or stress you’re feeling as they go.

Endorphins are our “happy” hormones. They respond to certain stimuli, especially stress and pain, and interact with the areas of the brain responsible for blocking those feelings and controlling emotion.

Endorphins also help to lower your heart rate and blood pressure, so when they’re released they help you feel more relaxed.

ENDORPHINS

Dopamine is a key factor in motivation and productivity.

DOPAMINE

This neurotransmitter usually travels forward from the Ventral Tegmental Area to the pleasure centres of your brain that are responsible for your feelings of joy.

Prefrontal Cortex

Serotonin can be found in the brain stem. It travels around the brain, calling in at the frontal cortex before it stops in the hippocampus.

Raphe Nucleus

This final neurotransmitter is responsible for reducing depression and regulating anxiety. When you smile, the release of serotonin helps to stabilise your mood.

SEROTONIN

It can also be found in blood platelets and it helps heal wounds by causing ateries to narrow and form blood clots.

Serotonin

Neuropeptides

Endorphins

Dopamine

When you smile, 4 hormones are released into your noggin. These work together to relieve stress, lower heart rate, increase productivity and reduce anxiety, leaving us feeling happy!

Did you know... The average Brit smiles roughly 13 times every day? But what goes on behind the scenes when you smile? W delve deep into the inner workings of the brain to discover the benefits of turning a frown upside down.

SWIPE

When you smile, 4 hormones are released in your noggin. These work together to relieve stress, lower heart rate, increase productivity and reduce anxiety, leaving us feeling happy!

Did you know... The average Brit smiles roughly 13 times every day? But what goes on behind the scenes when you smile? We delve deep into the inner workings of the brain to discover the benefits of turning a frown upside down.

So, when you feel happy, sad,or in pain, neuropeptides help to spread the message.

Neuropeptides can also trigger reactions in the body that help relieve stress and restore calm after a nerve-wracking event.

So, when you feel happy, sad,or in pain, neuropeptides help to spread the message.

Neuropeptides are tiny molecules that enable neurons to communicate with each other to send information around your body.

So, when you feel happy, sad, or in pain, neuropeptides help to spread the message.

Neuropeptides can also trigger reactions in the body that help relieve stress and restore calm after nerve-wracking events.

Neuropeptides

Endorphins come from the Pituitary Gland, and when you smile, they are distributed outwards through your nervous system, blocking any pain or stress you’re feeling as they go.

Pituitary Gland

Endorphins come from the Pituitary Gland, and when you smile, they are distributed outwards through your nervous system, blocking any pain or stress you’re feeling as they go.

Endorphins

Endorphins also help to lower your heart rate and blood pressure, so when they’re released they help you feel more relaxed.

Endorphins are our “happy” hormones. They respond to certain stimuli, especially stress and pain, and interact with the areas of the brain responsible for block those feelings and controlling emotion.

This neurotransmitter usually travels forward from the Ventral Tegmental Area to the pleasure centres of your brain that are responsible for your feelings of joy.

Dopamine is a key factor in motivation and productivity.

Dopamine

Raphe Nucleus

This final neurotransmitter is responsible for reducing depression and regulating anxiety. When you smile, the release of serotonin helps to stabilise your mood.

Serotonin can be found in the brain stem. It travels around the brain, calling in at the frontal cortex, the cerebral cortex before it stops in the hippocampus.

This final neurotransmitter is responsible for reducing depression and regulating anxiety. When you smile, the release of serotonin helps to stabilise your mood.

Serotonin

Serotonin can be found in the brain stem. It travels around the brain calling in at the frontal cortex, the cerebral cortex before it stops in the hippocampus.

It can also be found in blood platelets and it helps heal wounds by causing ateries to narrow and form blood clots.

Thanks to these hormones, regularly flashing a cheesy grin can have the following benefits:

It improves your health Smiling relaxes your body, which in turn contributes to a stronger immune system and overall good health.

It's contagious Studies have shown that people tend to smile more when the people around them are smiling, too.

It lifts your spirits Psychologists have found that forcing a grin while feeling down can instantly improve your mood.

It improves your health Smiling relaxes your body, which in turn contributes to a stronger immune system and overall good health.

Thanks to these hormones, regularly flashing a cheesy grin can have the following benefits:

So, why not say cheese!?

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Researchers found that one smile can provide the same level of dopamine as up to 2,000 chocolate bars.

FUN FACT

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So, why not say cheese!

This neurotransmitter usually travels forward from the Ventral Tegmental Area to the pleasure centres of your brain that are responsible for your feelings of joy.