Dopamine

I certainly believe that dopamine can be raised ourselves, how else would I believe in Chinese Medicine? Needles activate qi, which activates blood, which promotes a regulation of energy which then allows our system to release hormones, like dopamine. In fact, as I was putting needles in my patient last night a brief thought ran through my mind: I never thought I'd wake up every day, and know my goal would be to put needles in someone... because I LOVE it so very much. What does that induce for me? Happiness. Other such aspects of life can do the same. For me personally, walking my dog, hiking in the mountains, laying on a beach (anytime, anywhere, hot or cold), delicious wine with fabulous friends, family days... these wonderful components to my life trigger my happy hormones, definitely. When I'm not feeling well, emotionally or physically, I will search for my "happy triggers" to immediately raise my good vibrational energy. For example, currently what I loathe is Week 7- my 7th trimester of grueling exams, back to back.... But when I begin to focus on the oncoming exhaustion, I remind myself that the Saturday after, I'm flying to Palm Springs for a weekend with the girls. Happy trigger, released all by myself.