There’s an old saying that goes “smile, and the world smiles with you.” Interestingly enough, neuroscience seems to agree with the quote—and even makes a compelling case for working more smiles into our daily lives. As it turns out, the simple act of smiling is one of the most effective ways to generate dopamine and lower the stress hormone cortisol .

The importance of dopamine

In a world in which our dopamine is often depleted or out of whack , we’d be well advised to seek natural, easy ways to increase it. After all, dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in the brain’s reward and motivation system. “When dopamine levels are low, it can significantly impact both our brain function and our daily lives,” explains Dr. Michael Markopoulos , an addiction specialist b

See Full Page