Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Positive Balance at the Physiological Level: Positive and Negative Neurotransmitters

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Positive Balance

Part of the book series: Social Indicators Research Series ((SINS,volume 80))

  • 738 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter advances the following definition of positive balance at the physiological level. Individuals characterized as as high in mental health tend to experience a preponderance of neurochemicals related to rewards (dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.) relative to negative neurochemicals related to stress (cortisol). This definition of positive mental health at the physiological level is based on much of the research literature on the neurobiology of hedonic well-being and the stress response system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    This section is adapted partly from Jackson, Sirgy, and Medley (2018).

  2. 2.

    It should be noted that the current level of hedonic well-being experienced by an individual is likely to moderate the effects of euphoric drugs, such as pain killers or psychostimulants, as well. This phenomenon is commonly known as the “Law of Initial Value” (Wilder, 1958). Wilder’s law states that a change, such as that produced by a drug, cannot affect the person’s mood or cognitive state beyond their capability for change. In addition, the effect of the drug depends on the user’s initial state. If the person is close to their maximum state for the effect in question, then little change will occur; however, if they are quite distant then the greater the potential effect. For example, a person who is currently in a negative mood state (i.e., experiencing anxiety, pain, or melancholy) may experience euphoria when given small doses of morphine. In contrast, a similar dose of morphine given to a happy person may have little effect or even induce anxiety and fear (Wenk, 2009, p. 20).

References

  • Aderem, A. (2005). Systems biology: Its practice and challenges. Cell, 121(4), 511–513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Advokat, C. D., Comaty, J. E., & Julien, R. M. (2014). Julien’s primer of drug action: A comprehensive guide to the actions, uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs (13th ed.). NY: Worth Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Austin, A., Jiga-Boy, G. M., Rea, S., Newstead, S. A., Roderick, S., Davis, N. J., et al. (2016). Prefrontal electrical stimulation in non-depressed reduces levels of reported negative effects from daily stressors. Frontiers in Psychology, 7(315).

    Google Scholar 

  • Berns, G. S., McClure, S. M., Pagnoni, G., & Montague, P. R. (2001). Predictability modulates human brain response to reward. Journal of Neuroscience, 21, 2793–2798.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brake, W. G., Zhang, T. Y., Diorio, J., Meaney, M. J., & Gratton, A. (2004). Influence of early postnatal rearing conditions on mesocorticolimbic dopamine and behavioural responses to psychostimulants and stressors in adult rats. European Journal of Neuroscience, 19, 1863–1874.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bremner, J. D., Randall, P., Scott, T. M., Bronen, R. A., Seibyl, J. P., Southwick, S. M., et al. (1995). MRI-based measurement of hippocampal volume in patients with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 152, 973–981.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chrousos, G. P., & Gold, P. W. (1992). The concepts of stress and stress system disorders: Overview of physical and behavioral homeostasis. Journal of the American Medical Association, 267, 1244–1252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coccaro, R. M., & Kavoussi, R. J. (1997). Fluoxetine and impulsive aggressive behaviour in personality-disordered subjects. Archives of General Psychiatry, 54, 1081–1088.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crommelinck, M., Feltz, B., & Goujon, P. (Eds.). (2006). Self-organization and emergence in life sciences. Heidelberg: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyer, K. R., & Cruickshank, C. C. (2005). Depression and other psychological health problems among methamphetamine dependent patients in treatment: Implications for assessment and treatment outcome. Australian Psychologist, 40, 96–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elkins, D. N. (2016). The human elements of psychotherapy: A nonmedical model of emotional healing. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Gianoulakis, C. (2001). Influence of the endogenous opioid system on high alcohol consumption and genetic predisposition to alcoholism. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, 26(4), 304–318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbertson, M. W., Shenton, M. E., Ciszewski, A., Kasai, K., Lasko, N. B., Orr, S. P., et al. (2002). Smaller hippocampal volume predicts pathologic vulnerability to psychological trauma. Nature Neuroscience, 5, 1242–1247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gratz, K. L., & Gunderson, J. G. (2006). Preliminary data on an acceptance-based emotion regulation group intervention for deliberate self-harm among women with borderline personality disorder. Behavior Therapy, 37, 25–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hostinar, C. E., & Gunnar, M. R. (2013). Future directions in the study of social relationships as regulators of the HPA axis across development. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 42, 564–575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huppert, F. A. (2009). Psychological well-being: Evidence regarding its causes and consequences. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 1, 137–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, P. A., Sirgy, M. J., & Medley, G. D. (2018). The neurobiology of well-being. In N. R. Silton (Ed.), Scientific concepts behind happiness, kindness and empathy in contemporary society (pp. 135–155). Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, N., Delespaul, P., Derom, C., van Os, J., Myin-Germeys, I., & Nicolson, N. A. (2007). A momentary assessment study of the relationship between affective and adrenocortical stress responses in daily life. Biological Psychology, 74, 60–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalivas, P. W., & Volkow, N. D. (2005). The neural basis of addiction: A pathology of motivation and choice. American Journal of Psychiatry, 162, 1403–1413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalivas, P. W., Peters, J., & Knackstedt, L. (2006). Animal models and brain circuits in drug addiction. Molecular Interventions, 6, 339–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasanetz, F., Deroche-Gamonet, V., Berson, N., Balado, E., Lafourcade, M., Manzoni, O., et al. (2010). Transition to addiction is associated with a persistent impairment in synaptic plasticity. Science, 328, 1709–1712.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kendrick, K. M. (2004). The neurobiology of social bonds. Neuroendocrinology, 16, 1007–1008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I. Q. (2014). An introduction to brain and behaviour (4th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kosfeld, M., Heinrichs, M., Zak, P. J., Fischbacher, U., & Fehr, E. (2005). Oxytocin increases trust in humans. Nature, 435, 673–676.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Looby, A., & Earleywine, M. (2007). The impact of methamphetamine use on subjective well-being in an internet survey: Preliminary findings. Human Psychopharmacology, 22, 167–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovallo, W. R. (2016). Stress & health: Biological and psychological interactions. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Mathew, J., & Paulose, C. S. (2011). The healing power of well-being. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 23, 145–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McEwen, B. S., & Wingfield, J. C. (2003). The concept of allostasis in biology and biomedicine. Hormones and Behavior, 43, 2–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKim, W. A., & Hancock, S. (2013). Drugs and behavior (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • McRae-Clark, A. L., Baker, N. L., Maria, M. M., & Brady, K. T. (2013). Effect of oxytocin on craving and stress response in marijuana-dependent individuals: A pilot study. Psychopharmacology, 228, 623–631.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nestler, E. (2005). Is there a common molecular pathway for addiction? Nature Neuroscience, 8, 1445–1449.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olds, J., & Milner, P. (1954). Positive reinforcement produced by electrical stimulation of septal area and other regions of the brain. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 47, 419–427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panksepp, J. (2005). Affective consciousness: Core emotional feelings in animals and humans. Consciousness and Cognition, 14, 30–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patil, S., Sen, S., Bral, M., Reddy, S., Bradley, K. K., Cornett, E. M., et al. (2016). The role of acupuncture in pain management. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 20, 22–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen, C. A., Smedley, K. L., Leserman, J., Jarskog, L. F., Rau, S. W., Kampov-Polevoi, A., et al. (2013). Intranasal oxytocin blocks alcohol withdrawal in human subjects. Alcohol Clinical and Experimental Research, 37, 484–489.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peirson, A. R., & Heuchert, J. W. (2000). Correlations for serotonin levels and measures of mood in a nonclinical sample. Psychological Reports, 87, 707–716.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petrocchi, N., Piccirillo, G., Fiorucci, C., Moscucci, F., Iorio, C., Mastropietri, F., et al. (2017). Transcranial direct current stimulation enhances soothing positive affect and vagal tone. Neuropsychologia, 96, 256–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polk, D. E., Skoner, D. P., Kirschbaum, C., Cohen, S., & Doyle, W. J. (2005). State and trait affect as predictors of salivary cortisol in healthy adults. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 30, 261–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pressman, S. D., & Cohen, S. (2005). Does positive affect influence health? Psychological Bulletin, 131, 925–971.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pruessner, J. C., Hellhammer, D. H., & Kirschbaum, C. (1999). Low self-esteem induced failure and the adrenocortical stress response. Personality and Individual Differences, 27, 477–489.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rickard, N. S., & Vella-Brodrick, D. A. (2014). Changes in well-being: Complementing a psychosocial approach with neurobiological insights. Social Indicators Research, 117, 437–457.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, T. E., & Berridge, K. C. (1993). The neural basis of drug craving: An incentive-sensitization theory of addiction. Brain Research Reviews, 18, 247–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, T. E., & Berridge, K. C. (2001). Incentive-sensitization and addiction. Addiction, 96, 103–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, T. E., & Berridge, K. C. (2003). Addiction. Annual Review of Psychology, 54, 25–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rockwood, K., Hogan, D. B., & MacKnight, C. (2000). Conceptualisation and measurement of frailty in elderly people. Drugs & Aging, 17, 295–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schultz, W. (2002). Getting formal with dopamine and reward. Neuron, 36, 241–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schultz, W. (2010). Dopamine signals for reward value and risk: Basic and recent data. Behavioral and Brain Functions, 6, 24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selye, H. (1956). The stress of life. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siever, D. (2015). Stimulation technologies: “New” trends in “old” techniques. Biofeedback, 43, 180–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silton, N. R., Flannelly, L. T., Flannelly, K. J., & Galek, K. (2011). Toward a theory of holistic needs and the brain. Holistic Nursing Practice, 25, 258–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smyth, J., Ockenfels, M. C., Porter, L., Kirschbaum, C., Hellhammer, D. H., & Stone, A. A. (1998). Stressors and mood measured on a momentary basis are associated with salivary cortisol secretion. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 23, 353–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solé, R. V., Ferrer-Cancho, R., Montoya, J. M., & Valverde, S. (2002). Selection, tinkering, and emergence in complex networks. Complexity, 8(1), 20–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spanagel, D. V., & Weiss, F. (1999). The dopamine hypothesis of reward: Past and current status. Trends in Neuroscience, 22, 521–527.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spinelli, S., Schwandt, M. L., Lindell, S. G., Heilig, M., Suomi, S. J., Higley, J. D., et al. (2012). The serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region is associated with the behavioral response to repeated stress exposure in infant rhesus macaques. Developmental and Psychopathology, 24, 157–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sterling, P., & Eyer, J. (1988). Allostasis: A new paradigm to explain arousal pathology. In S. Fisher & J. Reason (Eds.), Handbook of life stress, cognition, and health (pp. 629–649). New York, NY: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stagg, C. J., Best, J. G., Stephenson, M. C., O’Shea, J., Wylezinska, M., Kincses, Z. T., et al. (2009). Polarity-sensitive modulation of cortical neurotransmitters by transcranial stimulation. The Journal of Neuroscience, 29, 5202–5206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Volkow, N. D., Wang, G.-J., Ma, Y., Fowler, J. S., Wong, C., Ding, Y.-S., et al. (2005). Activation of orbital and medial prefrontal cortex by methylphenidate in cocaine-addicted subjects but not in controls: Relevance to addiction. Journal of Neuroscience, 25, 3932–3939.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Volkow, N. D., Wang, G.-J., Telang, F., Fowler, J. S., Alexoff, D., Logan, J., et al. (2014). Decreased dopamine brain reactivity in marijuana abusers is associated with negative emotionality and addiction severity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, E3149–E3156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G.-J., Volkow, N. D., Fowler, J. S., Cervany, P., Hitzemann, R. J., Pappas, N. R., et al. (1999). Regional brain metabolic activation during craving elicited by recall of previous drug experiences. Life Science, 64, 775–784.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wenk, G. L. (2009). Your brain on food: How chemicals control your thoughts and feelings. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilder, J. (1958). Modern psychophysiology and the law of initial value. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 12, 199–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, E., Stewart-Knox, B., Helander, A., McConville, C., Bradbury, I., & Rowland, I. (2006). Associations between whole-blood serotonin and subjective mood in healthy male volunteers. Biological Psychology, 71, 171–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wise, R. A. (1996). Addictive drugs and brain stimulation reward. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 19, 319–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zelkowitz, P., Gold, I., Feeley, N., Hayton, B., Carter, C. S., Tulandi, T., et al. (2014). Psychosocial stress moderates the relationships between oxytocin, perinatal depression, and maternal behavior. Hormones and Behavior, 66, 351–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    M. Joseph Sirgy

Authors
  1. M. Joseph Sirgy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Sirgy, M.J. (2020). Positive Balance at the Physiological Level: Positive and Negative Neurotransmitters. In: Positive Balance. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 80. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40289-1_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40289-1_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-40288-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-40289-1

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation