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Neuroscience
By Thom Harmtann
Nov 2024
Research shows that expressing gratitude doesn’t just make us feel good momentarily — it reshapes our brains in ways that enhance our well-being. When you take a moment to count your blessings, your brain releases dopamine and serotonin, chemicals that create feelings of pleasure and contentment. This isn’t just a temporary boost — moments of thankfulness create a positive feedback loop, training your brain to look for more reasons to be grateful.
Human inner operating system
Brain imaging studies captured this process in action. When people express gratitude, they activate the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s command center for decision-making and emotional regulation. This triggers a cascade of beneficial effects, including sharper attention and increased motivation. Think of it like building a muscle — the more you exercise gratitude, the stronger these neural pathways become, making it progressively easier to access positive emotions.
Perhaps even more remarkable is gratitude’s effect on stress. When you focus on appreciation, your brain actually dials down the production of cortisol, your body's primary stress hormone. Research conducted at Indiana University found that practicing gratitude can actually change the structure of your brain, particularly in areas linked to empathy and emotional processing. Even simply pausing throughout the day to notice and appreciate positive moments can help reshape your neural circuitry.
Train your brain
It’s as if giving thanks regularly renovates your brain’s emotional architecture, creating lasting improvements in how you process experiences and relate to others. These changes ripple out into nearly every aspect of life.
The most encouraging aspect of this research is that gratitude’s effects appear to be cumulative and long-lasting. Studies found that people who regularly practice gratitude experience positive changes in brain function that persist months after they begin the practice. It’s like compound interest for your emotional well-being — small investments in gratitude today can yield increasing returns over time.
As your brain becomes more adept at recognizing and appreciating positive experiences, you may find yourself naturally adopting a more optimistic outlook on life. This isn’t about ignoring life’s challenges or pretending everything is perfect. Rather, it’s about training your brain to maintain a sense of appreciation even while acknowledging difficulties.
Each expression of thanks is like a small deposit in your neurological life account, building toward a richer, more appreciative way of experiencing life.
In a world that seems designed to highlight what’s wrong, cultivating gratitude is one of the most powerful tools each of us has for training our brains to notice what’s right; creating new, positive stories … something truly worth being thankful for. https://www.alternet.org/gratitude/
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Doreen Agostino
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