There is a mathematics behind measuring happiness because happiness is the result of a physical state of mind resulting from the amounts of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, GABA & norepinephrine. Generally, the more of the first 3, the better, and the less of the last. Happiness = serotonin + dopamine + GABA – norepinephrine. The question then becomes: what causes them? Serotonin comes from contentment, which is when there is a normal amount of neurotransmitters in your body; it causes a feeling of peaceful calmness. Dopamine comes from satisfaction, optimism & orgasm. GABA is reduced by chronic stress from a job, relationship & pessimism. Norepinephrine is a result of the so-called “fight or flight” response that comes from danger.

Now, knowing the physical source of the neurotransmitters allows happiness to be objectively defined as: happiness = contentment (which is serotonin) + self-awareness X (satisfaction + optimism) (which is dopamine) - anxiety (norepinephrine) – stress (which reduces GABA). The base level of human consciousness is contentment. Self-awareness is part of the equation because it’s required to make plans and act on them; children don’t have self-awareness or anxiety, and they have little stress, so their happiness is entirely dependent on contentment and discovery with brief periods of the stress of hunger & fatigue. Children are happy much like dogs are happy. Satisfaction includes discovery. Children have a lot to discover so they often experience joy, which is the epitome of happiness; the result of a burst of dopamine. Unfortunately, dopamine is limited and becomes less effective if it’s over-utilized, such as people who habitually use cocaine to increase their dopamine or engage in inordinate amounts of sex.