It's not exactly new news, but neurochemists discovered a new molecule that they've called "Anandamide" that helps create feelings of happiness and euphoria. They got the name from the Sanskrit word for "bliss," ananda. That might be my new favorite word, after namaste ("I see you" -- I knew the word before I became a devotee of Lost, but since then, it's imprinted new meaning in my mind, and it became my favorite word).
Scientists knew that there must be molecules that react strongly with the receptor neurons. Morphine reacts even more strongly within the body than natural "opiate receptors," and scientists have looked for receptor molecules that have a similar configuration. They found what they were looking for, and they called these natural molecules "enkaphalins." Morphine has an even more powerful effect than natural enkaphalins, because the enzymes cannot pry the morphine molecule off the receptor, and addiction occurs very, very quickly. Scientists began looking at other chemicals that had similar effects -- codeine, THC (marijuana), Demerol.
Since THC isn't found naturally in the body, scientists posited that there was a "bliss receptor" that forged reception for these chemicals. In 1992, an Israeli scientist named Raphael Mechoulam found a chemical substance he called "arachidonyl ethanolimide," a substance that later became known as "anadamide."
Its hexagonal shape is similar to THC, but it is much more fragile, and breaks down quickly in the body. It doesn't product the long-lasting, more intense natural highs of the other drugs / substances listed above.
A substance that is very close in structure to anandamide is found in dark chocolate. It inhibits the quick breakdown of anandamide, which helps to block the formation of short-term memories. It creates a very, very, very mild "high" and helps people forget their troubles.
I can't help but wonder (since I can't find any literature on the neurochemical effects of reading escapist literature) if something very similar to an anadamide neurotransmitter is synthesized in the brain while reading -- and if the effecting brain chemistry changes to the degree in which we interact with what we read -- passive versus active reading; reading for information versus reading for emotional insight. I wonder what the interactions of serotonin, dopamine, anandamide, and other "bliss" chemicals might combine to offer the different effects associated with an interaction with the arts -- as compared with the natural highs we all experience as we blow apart alien species on our Playstation3's and XBoxes.
Just a thought -- in honor of "The International Year of Chemistry."
:) REF: http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/features/anandamide.shtml
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