Brain, Mood & Behavior

Brain, Mood & Behavior

Twin science and human physiology on dopamine, reward, exercise euphoria, emotion, environmental sensitivity and social influence.

This content is general research information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or individual treatment.
Two similar people with contrasting biological data, representing genetic and individual influences on brain reward systems.
Brain, Mood & Behavior

All 3 articles

Two similar people with contrasting biological data, representing genetic and individual influences on brain reward systems.
Article 1 of 3 · 7 min read

Dopamine: How Much Is Determined by Your Genes? What Twin Studies Reveal

Twin PET studies show a genetic contribution to dopamine function — but especially in reward-related brain regions, individual experience still appears to matter.

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Two runners finishing together outdoors, representing the biology behind exercise-induced wellbeing.
Article 2 of 3 · 6 min read

Runner’s High: Is It Really the Endorphins — Or the Body’s Own Cannabinoid System?

The classic endorphin story is only part of the picture. Human experiments now make endocannabinoids strong candidates for the euphoria and reduced anxiety some runners feel.

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Two people sharing an active social setting, illustrating emotional contagion, environmental sensitivity and interpersonal influence.
Article 3 of 3 · 7 min read

Can Other People’s “Energy” Affect You? What Twin Research Actually Says

If “energy” means feeling calmer, brighter, stressed or drained around certain people, science has several plausible mechanisms: emotional contagion, environmental sensitivity and physiological synchrony.

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