USE IT! Read the information about dopamine, serotonin and endorphin then choose the sentence from A-C to complete each paragraph.

A. Exercise, laughter and spicy food can have the same effect.

B. Your brain is rewarding you for eating all those calories!

C. Like dopamine, it also helps you to sleep.

Dopamine

This neurotransmitter plays an important part in the brain’s reward system. If you are enjoying a bar of chocolate, your body produces more dopamine and you feel good. (1) _____ Dopamine is also important for sleep.

Serotonin

An increase in serotonin makes you feel happy. (2) _____ Your body produces serotonin when you exercise and when you are in the sun. In winter, when the days are shorter and there isn’t much sunshine, a lot of people experience feelings of sadness.

Endorphins

If you hurt yourself or if you are feeling stressed, your body will produce endorphins to block the pain signals. But you don’t need to be in pain to produce more endorphins: (3) _____