I'd recommend everyone study a little biochemistry/neurochemistry. It's one of those areas where a little bit of knowledge can pay huge dividends.
After you learn a little bit, you start to think, "Duh, of course more external trappings don't keep jacking up your serotonin/dopamine/etc."
In fact, the more I learn of it, the more I reject pursuing "low happinesses" - biochemical mix-based - as any more important than respiration or circulation or immune system. Very important towards surviving, but as a health/pragmatic note, not a meaning of life. It's liberating dismissing biochemical happiness as a key goal, and freeing my mind to work on more interesting things.
Is there a good beginner book for this? Of course I've read a great deal in the past regarding the minds working but never had anything in one place. It seems like it would be pretty useful.
After you learn a little bit, you start to think, "Duh, of course more external trappings don't keep jacking up your serotonin/dopamine/etc."
In fact, the more I learn of it, the more I reject pursuing "low happinesses" - biochemical mix-based - as any more important than respiration or circulation or immune system. Very important towards surviving, but as a health/pragmatic note, not a meaning of life. It's liberating dismissing biochemical happiness as a key goal, and freeing my mind to work on more interesting things.