As we have seen, the path we have decided to take cannot be defined as a walk in the park. But we have also seen that, fortunately, we can find various helps in some natural substances, in creating a healthy routine and in the gratification related to what we are doing.

That's why I want to talk to you about things like gratification, serotonin and dopamine.

The actions we do, such as meeting friends, laughing, eating, drinking, having sex, reading, are all actions that create something in us on a chemical level. This is done by serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters produced by our nervous system and, in the case of dopamine, also by the adrenal glands.

If serotonin is associated with feelings such as happiness, concentration and calm, dopamine, on the other hand, is associated with motivation and the pleasure of being productive; in fact, it is part of the so-called "reward system." This is why dopamine and serotonin are called "mood and happiness hormones."

Serotonin is famous for its ability to improve our mood, relieve pain and headaches, as well as its effects on digestion and the immune system. Let's face it, it is essential for well-being. It is released into our bloodstream after exercise or after being in the sunlight. Making us feel happier, calmer, more focused and less prone to anxiety. If serotonin is the neurotransmitter of well-being and happiness, dopamine, on the other hand, is known as the neurotransmitter of pleasure: because it is stored in the brain and released into the bloodstream when we experience pleasurable feelings, such as when we listen to music or eat our favorite food. It makes us feel good after sexual activity and plays an important role in our motivation and reward system, increasing motivation precisely and our productivity. It is that substance that makes us feel good after accomplishing a difficult task or achieving an important goal.

I tell you these things because awareness of what is going on in our body will help us manage our path and choose to do one thing that is good for us in the short term and in the long term, as opposed to another that maybe good for us in the short term but not in the long term.

Let's face it, most people do not live but survive, being content to carve out spaces to "breathe" but without changing their lives. Let me give you an example: how many of us feel that we have a tiring life, which we may not even like and would like to change, but are unable to do so because we don't know where to start? Raise your hand if you have never experienced this feeling. And when it happens to us, in order to stay afloat we create breaks that are often represented by alcohol, sweets, if not porn or obsessive behaviors such as binge watching. Of course, this is the exact opposite of what we set out to do by beginning our "rebirth" journey.

Serotonin is ready to come to us when we feel lost and feel like we are not living up to our standards in life. It is a valuable ally and, most amazingly, it has always been there, inside us. We just need to rediscover it.