What Does Your Brain Type Have To Do With Happiness? A Neuroscientist Explains

The good news here? You don't have to win the genetic lottery to be happy. Your ability to take charge of your own happiness through your daily habits and mindset is higher than you may think. But there's one foundational piece of the happiness puzzle that I believe researchers have missed. It's the fact that happiness doesn't mean the same thing to everyone. In my book, You, Happier: The 7 Neuroscience Secrets of Feeling Good Based on Your Brain Type, I reveal that happiness depends on your brain type.

Not all brains are the same. That's one of the most important lessons I have learned from using brain SPECT imaging in our clinical psychiatric practice for over 30 years. SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) is a functional brain-imaging technology that measures blood flow and activity patterns in the brain. Other brain-imaging tools, including CT or MRI scans, only look at the brain's anatomy or structure. SPECT looks at how the brain functions and basically reveals three things: areas with healthy activity, areas that are underactive, and areas that are overactive. 

Our brain-imaging database has grown to over 200,000 scans. Based on analyses of these scans, our team at Amen Clinics has detected activity patterns that correlate to psychiatric issues. We have also found brain activity patterns that relate to personality types and have identified five primary brain types: balanced, spontaneous, persistent, sensitive, and cautious: 

People who have what I call the Balanced Brain Type tend to have healthy brains with full, even, symmetrical activity. If you have this type, you're likely to be focused, flexible, organized, and emotionally stable. You show up on time for meetings, follow through on promises, and prefer to follow the rules. Balanced types tend to be generally happy.

Trying new things, surprises, bungee jumping, or going on a road trip at the last minute make you happy. Sameness, boredom, and having to wait in line make you unhappy. These types also have a vulnerability toward ADHD. 

Happiness boosts for the Persistent Brain Type include routine, familiarity, and being in charge. Getting told no or having the rules changed are happiness stealers for this type. This type has a tendency to get stuck on worries and is at increased risk of OCD. 

For this type, listening to calming music, walking in nature, having a deep conversation with one close friend, and practicing mindfulness can enhance feelings of joy and contentment. On the flip side, loud noises, bright lights, small talk at parties, and feeling isolated bring you down.

Finishing an assignment on time (or early), making a pros-and-cons list before a big decision, and feeling safe and secure make you happy. Chaotic environments, having too much to do, or watching distressing news diminishes your happiness.

Knowing your brain type is the key to finding the happiness strategies that work best for you. In my book, I provide strategies based on neuroscience to help each brain type increase their happiness quotient.