The "Would You Rather" Quiz Your Brain Is Gonna Hate

When it comes to what makes us feel good, it’s more about brain chemistry than character. The same goes for gambling addiction, a problem for which there is help.

Random brain fact:

A good night’s sleep filled with dreams can actually take the edge off a hard day; during the REM cycle, there is a natural and sharp decrease in norepinephrine, a brain chemical that’s linked to stress.

Random brain fact:

When you look at someone you feel romantic love for, those so-called “butterflies” in your stomach are caused by feelings of attraction igniting the cortex deep in your brain in a way that does not happen when looking at people you love in a friendly way.

Random brain fact:

Most of us know that exercise produces endorphins, but what are endorphins? They’re neurotransmitters that pass along signals from one neuron to the next, produced in response to things like stress or pain. So at least as far as exercise goes, it kind of is “no pain, no gain.”

Random brain fact:

Memories triggered by scent have a stronger emotional connection than those triggered by other senses because the olfactory bulb (the smell-analyzing part of your brain) is closely connected to your hippocampus and amygdala, the parts of your brain that control memory and emotion.

Random brain fact:

A sweet way to lower the stress hormone cortisol? Pet a pup. Studies show that playing with or petting an animal increases levels of oxytocin, the stress-zapping, bond-encouraging chemical that is also linked to feelings of deep love.

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Brain chemistry can teach us many things about who we are and what we may need help with. Get help for gambling addiction at yourchemistry.org.