“Learn to put yourself up without putting other people down” – Loretta Breuning
Loretta Breuning PhD, is founder of the Inner Mammal Institute and is Professor Emerita of Management at California State University, East Bay. She is the author of a new book Status Games: Why we Play and How we Stop

Loretta’s books have been translated into more than eight languages, and he worked has helped hundreds of thousands around the world understand the nature of human behavior through understanding our evolutionary history as mammals and the brain chemicals that drive us.

Loretta previously appeared on the show in episode 94 to talk about the main neurotransmitters of happiness – and the habits the lead to a happy brain.

Today we are going to be focusing more on Serotonin, which is the trickiest of the neurotransmitters to understand. We will look at how serotonin creates competition, social structures and hierarchy, moral superiority, and what we can do to put ourselves up and boost serotonin levels without having to put someone else down.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
What is Serotonin and how it works to make us feel happy
What are status games
How to put yourself in the 1 up position without putting others down
Applying animal behavior to human interaction
SSRIs, neuroplasticity, and Testosterone
How to feel good when you are not the superstar
the power of mirror neurons
Quotes
“We have to teach our kids how to feel good when they are not superstar of the week” – Loretta Breuning

“Why is it always High School in your brain? People are desperate to create conflict and drama [because of Serotonin]”– Loretta Breuning

“Serotonin is the hardest neurotransmitter to make sense of” – Loretta Breuning

“Learn to put yourself up without putting other people down” – Loretta Breuning

“Condemnation of the Ego is a path to depression”– Loretta Breuning

“Neuroplasticity is true but it has been overhyped”– Loretta Breuning

“Friendship comes at the expense of our urge to dominate”– Loretta Breuning

“In the animal world, you only challenge when you think you can win” – Loretta Breuning

“For parenting, break the behavior you want into small chunks and use your attention as the reward” – Loretta Breuning

Continue the adventure:
The Inner Mammal Institute

Status Games: Why we Play and How we Stop

Habits of a Happy Brain: Retrain Your Brain to Boost Your Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin, & Endorphin Levels

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