You can manage your happy brain chemicals when you know how they work in the state of nature

As I write this, my wife has a dog-eared copy of your book in front of her, which she tells me she plans to read until she memorizes it. I think you made something of an impression on her.

I first read “Habits of a Happy Brain” while preparing for an educational talk on the brain’s reward center and its role in obesity. It was an exceptional read – wonderfully organized and clearly described the happy chemicals. This education is necessary for myself and coworkers (personal fitness trainers) because we deal in the realm of behavior change. We get zero education on the brain and its role in pleasure-seeking and pain-avoiding behavior. For this we must consult other sources. Dr. Breuning’s book was an outstanding resource to provide this education in simple, understandable, and witty terms. Her examples of the chemicals in action are memorable and powerful, and they have helped us as fitness professionals better understand the often-challenging behavior of our clients (struggling and successful clients alike). I would highly recommend this book to anyone in a service industry, leadership position, or team atmosphere.

These hugely entertaining books have completely changed the way I see myself and others. Now, when I find myself fretting and feeling the unpleasant flood of cortisol, I see a picture of the unhelpful well-trodden chemical feedback loop that’s going on. I understand that it’s just my mammalian brain helping me to survive by alerting me to social threats of all kinds. When I see unpleasant emotions as an unfortunate survival quirk I stop making judgements about my feelings, forgive myself, understand (and forgive others) and let the feelings pass through me rather than taking them so personally. You made the complicated world of brain chemistry accessible. I now see my neural pathways can be changed rather than simply be at the mercy of them.

I am sleeping for four weeks now without drugs, which was impossible before. Your work saved my life. Brain chemistry is like God’s keypad where I am allowed to press a button now with your help. It’s so great when you know how it works 🙂 Thank you very much! Really.

I teach conflict resolution and include information from “Habits of a Happy Brain” in organizational workshops and in my work with inmates. The information is clearly presented, applies to all of us, and has helped me on a personal level. I have referred this book to several clients and feel confident that it will provide personal and professional insight. It’s time we start becoming aware of our selves and what we can do to make changes in a positive, strength-based manner. Habits of a Happy Brain does that and more. Thanks, Dr. Breuning!

I’ve found a couple of Dr. Breuning’s strategies particularly useful for modulation of my neurochemistry. One is the elevation of serotonin by replacing negative thoughts rather than pursuing the impossible goal of their suppression. The other is the art of visualizing of what you want to achieve in order to elevate dopamine levels. The Inner Mammal Institute ties evolutionary psychology in with modern neuroscience in a way that is extremely engaging. Every article is full of practical strategies that one can immediately apply to overcome the tyranny of our primitive reptilian complexes and limbic systems.