How Gratitude Affects the Brain: Gratitude and Mental Health

|Gratitude is defined by the quality of being thankful or readiness to show appreciation for the small things in life. Practicing gratitude has become all the rage in the wellness industry, and for good reason. New studies have shown how gratitude affects the brain, leaving us to believe gratitude and mental health go hand in hand. 

​Please note: This article does not contain healthcare or therapeutic advice. If you are concerned about your health or well-being, speak with a health professional or visit your nearest medical facility in an emergency.

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Author Bio

Natasha is a mental health and wellness freelance writer. She uses her years of marketing and mental health experience to help professionals in the mental health field skyrocket their business through strategic content. Natasha is passionate about helping mental health professionals spread awareness about the importance of psychological well-being. You can find her on her site, or on LinkedIn.

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How Gratitude Affects the Brain:
​Gratitude and Mental Health

How Gratitude Affects the Brain

Practicing gratitude and spurring gratitude in others not only puts a smile on your face, but it also changes your brain. An experiment funded by The Greater Good Science Centers suggests that feelings of thankfulness light up two key areas of the brain. 

The experiment showed increased activity in the anterior and medial pre-frontal cortex. Both areas are linked to emotion, interpersonal bonding, empathy, and rewarding social interaction. 

Science once believed that gratitude lived in the reward center of the brain. This experiment suggests that gratitude affects the brain with complex social emotions. It revolves around moral judgment and placing one’s self in the position of others.

The Greater Good Science Center’s team plans to continue their work around how gratitude affects the brain. They hope to learn more about how it works, stating that “our knowledge of gratitude pulls us closer to our own human dignity.”

How Gratitude Affects the Brain and Anxiety 

Around 40 million adults suffer from anxiety in the United States, with around 20% of the population living with an anxiety disorder. With anxiety higher than ever, people have begun to look at gratitude for answers. 

Anxiety is the body’s way of surviving traumatic experiences by enacting flight or fight mode. When you suffer from anxiety, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that cause your body to react as if you were in danger.

Over time, the continuous release of these hormones can actually reduce the volume of the left pre-frontal cortex! That’s right, anxiety can actually shrink your brain. 

Recent studies show that practicing gratitude can regulate the sympathetic nervous system. This basically trains your brain to filter our negative thoughts and focus on the positive. 

Because of the revolutionary discoveries in gratitude and anxiety, practicing gratitude has become a staple for life coaching and addiction recovery. Keep in mind that gratitude is not an appropriate substitute for professionally diagnosed medication or methodology.

​Related: Anxiety ~ Defining & Understanding

How Gratitude Affects the Brain and Depression

Over 16 million American adults experience a bought of depression at least once a year. Anxiety and depression coexist beautifully. So, it is no surprise that gratitude can help ease the symptoms of depression, as well. 

Depression is both psychological and neurochemical. Experts have concluded that gratitude can address both aspects of the disease. When we shift our perspective from our burdens to our blessings, we begin to stifle the apathy of depression. 

When learning how gratitude affects the brain, we see that gratitude increases serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine. These are the neurotransmitters that make us feel satisfaction, happiness, and joy.

Practicing gratitude can increase your motivation and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Again, gratitude is not an appropriate substitute for professionally diagnosed medication or methodology. Although, it can support these things. 

How Gratitude Affects the Body

We have discussed how gratitude affects the brain, but it also affects the physical body. Since practicing gratitude can reduce signs of anxiety and depression, it can result in increased overall health. 

As previously mentioned, depression and anxiety can have physical symptoms that stem from the flight-or-fight response. Increased cortisol and adrenaline can cause cardiac disease, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. 

Practicing gratitude can reduce the likelihood of developing health risks associated with fight or flight. In fact, practicing gratitude can improve the sleep/wake cycle and mood regulation!

How to Practice Gratitude 

Your gratitude practice doesn’t have to revolve around huge events. Focus on the little things. Practicing gratitude comes in all shapes and sizes. Some people find success in keeping a gratitude journal. Every day you write down what you are grateful for. 

You could create a gratitude jar, and place one line a day in the jar until it’s full. Then you can look back at everything you were thankful for overtime. 

You could write a letter to someone you love. You don’t have to send it. Just the act of expressing appreciation ques your gratitude receptors.  If you’re stuck on how to practice gratitude, start with this free gratitude assessment!

Remember that practice makes perfect. Consistently practicing gratitude will prove how gratitude affects the brain and your mental health!

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Related:

• Spring Clean Your Mental Health Email Challenge
• Good Days Start With Gratitude: Gratitude Journal

Refs: healthline.com, positivepsychology.com, researchgate.net

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