Happiness is influenced by a complex interplay of various chemicals in our brain, particularly four key neurotransmitters, D.O.S.E or Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins. These chemicals, often referred to as "happiness chemicals," are responsible for creating feelings of joy, motivation, connection, and calm.

However, when there's a deficiency in any of these, it can significantly affect our mood, energy, and overall well-being. Let’s dive into what these four neurotransmitters are, how their deficiency impacts us, and how we can boost their levels naturally.

Dopamine: The Motivation and Reward Chemical

Dopamine is often called the "motivation molecule." It plays a major role in enabling motivation, learning, and the pleasure-reward system in the brain. When we accomplish something — whether it’s finishing a project, completing a workout, or achieving a goal — dopamine gives us that sense of satisfaction and determination to continue.

Deficiency Effects:

When dopamine levels are low, it can lead to procrastination, low self-esteem, lack of focus, and general fatigue. A person might feel anxious, hopeless, or experience mood swings because the brain isn’t getting the reward signals it needs.

Boosting Dopamine:

You can increase dopamine levels by setting and achieving small goals, exercising regularly, eating foods rich in L-Tyrosine (such as almonds, avocados, and eggs), and practicing mindfulness or meditation. Engaging in creative activities like writing or drawing also helps boost dopamine levels.

Oxytocin: The Bonding Chemical

Oxytocin is often referred to as the "love hormone" or "cuddle hormone" because it plays a major role in social bonding and trust. It’s released when we hug, touch, or engage in other forms of physical affection. Oxytocin fosters feelings of connection and emotional intimacy, making it essential for relationships, family bonding, and even team cooperation.

Deficiency Effects:

A lack of oxytocin can lead to feelings of loneliness, stress, anxiety, and difficulties in forming or maintaining relationships. Low oxytocin levels are associated with feelings of isolation and disconnection from others.

Boosting Oxytocin:

You can raise your oxytocin levels through physical touch, socialising, spending quality time with loved ones, and even engaging in activities like massage or listening to soothing music. Acts of kindness, such as helping others or volunteering, also help release oxytocin.

Serotonin: The Mood Stabiliser

Serotonin is responsible for feelings of well-being and contentment. It helps regulate mood, sleep, digestion, and even social behavior. People who have balanced serotonin levels often feel calm, confident, and emotionally stable. Serotonin is crucial in helping people feel valued and significant among their peers.

Deficiency Effects:

Low serotonin levels are linked to depression, low self-esteem, irritability, and mood swings. Individuals may feel overly sensitive to criticism, experience panic attacks, or struggle with social phobias when serotonin is deficient.

Boosting Serotonin:

You can boost serotonin by getting regular exercise, exposing yourself to sunlight, engaging in cold showers or massages, and practicing mindfulness. Simple activities like walking in nature, meditating, or doing yoga are also effective serotonin enhancers.

Endorphins: The Pain Reliever

Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers. Released in response to stress, pain, or intense physical activity, they help alleviate discomfort and promote a sense of euphoria. Endorphins are what make you feel good after a workout or a hearty laugh, often referred to as the "runner's high."

Deficiency Effects:

Without enough endorphins, people may experience anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and insomnia. A deficiency in endorphins can make daily life feel overwhelming and physically draining.

Boosting Endorphins:

To boost endorphins, engage in laughter, exercise, and stretching activities. Eating spicy foods or dark chocolate can also stimulate endorphin production. Regular massage therapy and meditation are other ways to naturally elevate endorphin levels.

While thalassemia is known widely as a blood disorder, its impact can extend far beyond anemia and transfusions, said experts on World Thalassemia Day today.

World Thalassemia Day is observed every year on May 8 to raise awareness about the inherited blood disorder caused by faulty genes.

The disorder, which often requires blood transfusions every fortnight, affects approximately 1.3 million people living with severe forms of thalassemia worldwide. About 1.5 percent of the global population is carriers, and the disease claims nearly 11,000 lives annually.

Speaking to HealthandMe, health experts raised concerns about the growing mental health and neurological challenges faced by patients, especially children and young adults living with the condition.

Dr. Praveen Gupta, Chairman – Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro & Spine (MAIINS), Gurugram, shared that repeated blood transfusions are important and save the lives of thalassemia patients, but long-term transfusion therapy can potentially lead to neurological complications if not properly monitored.

“Chronic transfusions can cause iron overload, which is the accumulation of iron in critical organs such as the brain, and may impact cognitive and psychological function, as well as mood,” Dr. Gupta explained.

He added that "changes in oxygen supply and related complications may make patients more vulnerable to headaches, lethargy, or even undetected brain injury".

However, experts stress that most neurological complications can be prevented through multidisciplinary care, iron chelation therapy, and regular monitoring.

Can Thalassemia Affect Brain Development in Children?

The expert stated that thalassemia may also indirectly affect brain development in children, particularly when severe anemia continues for long periods and limits oxygen supply to the growing brain.

Dr. Gupta noted that poor oxygenation, nutritional deficiencies, iron overload from repeated transfusions, and metabolic complications may affect:

• Cognitive function
• Learning ability
• Attention span
• Overall neurodevelopment
• Early warning signs may include:
• Delayed speech
• Difficulty concentrating
• Poor school performance
• Frequent headaches
• Irritability
• Developmental delays

Also read: World Thalassemia Day 2026: Why Screening Before Marriage Or Pregnancy Is Important

Early Signs Parents Should Not Ignore

Dr. Vipin Khandelwal, Sr. Consultant Paediatric Haemato Oncology & BMT at Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, told HealthandMe that thalassemia affects the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, and prolonged disruption can impact growth, immunity, bone health, and learning abilities.

“The early signs of thalassemia are often subtle, which is why many families miss them until anemia becomes severe,” he said.

Parents should watch for persistent symptoms such as:

• Unusual tiredness
• Pale appearance
• Poor appetite
• Difficulty gaining weight
• Delayed growth
• Delayed walking or speech
• Reduced stamina
• Bone pain
• Recurrent weakness

He stressed that while thalassemia is inherited, many serious complications can be prevented with early diagnosis, regular check-ups, timely transfusions, and proper iron monitoring.

Why Depression and Anxiety Are Common Among Thalassemics?

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Further, the experts also highlighted risk of anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and depression among people with thalassemia who face lifelong blood transfusions, frequent hospital visits, leading to physical fatigue, and fear of complications. Over time, these challenges may increase, many often go unnoticed or untreated.

Dr. Roshan Dikshit, Senior Consultant, Haematology & Bone Marrow Transplant at Aakash Healthcare, told HealthandMe that thalassemia is not only a physical health condition, but also an emotional and psychological challenge. He stressed the need to provide mental support to thalassemic patients.

“Frequent hospital visits, lifelong blood transfusions, fear of complications, and social limitations can increase the risk of anxiety, stress, and depression, especially among teenagers and young adults,” said Dr. Roshan Dikshit, Senior Consultant, Haematology & Bone Marrow Transplant at Aakash Healthcare.

According to Dr. Dikshit, many patients struggle with:

• Low self-esteem
• Isolation
• Emotional fatigue.

Importantly, these emotional challenges often go unnoticed.

“Mental health support should be considered an essential part of thalassemia care. Counseling, family support, social acceptance, and open communication can significantly improve a patient’s emotional well-being and quality of life,” he said.

He also emphasized that early psychological intervention can help patients cope better with the disease and reduce the long-term mental health burden associated with chronic illness.

For most children, a swimming pool is all about fun: summer afternoons, splashing around, and playing with friends. It feels harmless, even healthy, and in many ways, it is. But over time, a small pattern has started to show up. Parents notice it after a swimming session: red eyes, constant rubbing, and sometimes complaints of burning or discomfort that were not there before. It does not always seem serious in the beginning, which is probably why it gets ignored. Still, it keeps happening often enough to be worth paying attention to.

In an interview with Health and Me, Dr Neeraj Sanduja, Director, Viaan Eye & Retina Centre, Gurugram, explained how swimming pool time could be giving your children eye infections.

What’s Really Causing the Problem

It is easy to assume the water is the issue, but that is only part of it. Most pools are treated with chlorine, which is necessary to keep them clean. The problem starts when chlorine mixes with other things that end up in the water: sweat, dirt, and even small amounts of urine. That mix creates compounds that can irritate the eyes.

Children are more likely to be affected because they spend more time in the water and often open their eyes while swimming. The natural layer that protects the eyes gets disturbed, and that is when the redness or burning starts. In some cases, it is not just irritation. If the pool is not maintained properly, there is also a risk of infections. Conjunctivitis, for example, can spread quite easily in shared water.

What Parents Usually Notice First

The signs are not always dramatic. In fact, they are easy to miss at first. A child may come back with slightly red eyes and say they sting a bit or keep rubbing them without thinking much of it. Sometimes there is watering that does not settle quickly.

If it is just mild irritation, it usually improves within a few hours. But if the redness stays, or there is itching, swelling, or discharge, it is likely to be something more than just chlorine exposure. That is usually the point at which it needs attention.

Small Things That Actually Help

The good part is that this is mostly preventable. Swimming goggles make a difference. Not everyone likes wearing them, especially younger children, but they do help keep the eyes protected. A proper fit matters; otherwise, water still gets in.

Rinsing the face and eyes with clean water after getting out of the pool is another simple step. It helps wash away whatever is left behind. Also, children tend to rub their eyes when they feel discomfort. That only makes things worse. It is a small habit, but one that needs to be corrected gently. And then there is the pool itself. A clean-looking pool is not always a safe one. Maintenance matters more than appearance.

When It Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Most of the time, these issues settle quickly, but not always. If the same problem keeps coming back after every swim, or if the symptoms last beyond a day, it is better to get it checked. Waiting it out does not always help. Children may not always explain clearly what they are feeling. So, small changes, like avoiding light or blinking more than usual, can be signs that something is not right.

Finding the Right Balance

Swimming is still one of the best activities for children. It keeps them active, helps them relax, and is something they genuinely enjoy. The idea is not to stop it, just to be a little more careful. A few small steps can go a long way in preventing discomfort later. And once that becomes part of the routine, the experience stays what it is meant to be: fun, safe, and worry-free.

Many women experience bloating, acidity, stomach discomfort, or constipation from time to time. These symptoms are usually linked to diet, stress, or minor digestive issues. However, these are often overlooked.

On World Ovarian Cancer Day, doctors are urging women to pay closer attention to such recurring symptoms and seek timely medical advice.

World Ovarian Cancer Day is observed every year on May 8 to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and promote early detection. This year’s theme is “No Woman Left Behind.”

According to global estimates, nearly 250,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, and about 140,000 die from the disease.

What Is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest gynecological cancers and is often referred to as the “silent killer” because its early symptoms are vague and easily mistaken for common digestive or urinary issues.

It develops when abnormal cells in the ovaries grow uncontrollably and may spread to other parts of the body. Survival rates are significantly higher when detected early—around 93 per cent of women diagnosed at stage one survive at least five years, compared to just 13 per cent at stage four, according to the American Cancer Society.

Unfortunately, many cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, when treatment options are limited, and outcomes are poorer.

Early Symptoms Often Overlooked

“Ovarian cancer is commonly called a ‘silent disease’ because its early signs are vague and often resemble routine gastric issues,” Dr. Tejinder Kataria, Chairperson – Radiation Oncology, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, told HealthandMe.

Common symptoms include:

• Persistent bloating
• Feeling full quickly or reduced appetite
• Pelvic or abdominal discomfort
• Unexplained constipation or diarrhea
• Ongoing indigestion
• Excessive gas
• Abdominal heaviness

Also read: WHO Says 6-Week Hantavirus Incubation Raises Concern, But No Epidemic Risk

One should not ignore these symptoms if they persist for more than two to three weeks.

“Many women delay seeking medical attention because these symptoms feel too common to be serious. Early evaluation through clinical examination, imaging, and blood tests can help detect the disease earlier,” Dr Kaur noted.

“The growing tumor can press on nearby organs such as the intestines or bladder, leading to digestive changes and abdominal discomfort,” she explained.

Risk Factors to Be Aware Of

The experts also highlighted several risk factors that are often overlooked, including:

• Family history of ovarian or breast cancer
• BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations
• Increasing age, especially after menopause
• Reproductive history, such as late pregnancy or never having children

Why Early Detection Matters

Being aware of subtle and persistent symptoms can significantly improve outcomes. Ovarian cancer survival rates are much higher when diagnosed early, making timely medical consultation crucial.