Massage and happiness hormones: what modern science says

In the 21st century, the speed of life and the demands on our attention have increased to such an extent that feelings of chronic fatigue, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion have become almost the norm. Technologies provide us with immense opportunities, but at the same time create a constant flow of information, multitasking, and psychological noise. Added to this are irregular sleep patterns, a sedentary lifestyle, and reduced recovery time, creating a favorable environment for a decline in emotional well-being.

In response, people have started seeking simple and natural ways to support good mood and psychological resilience. Some turn to sports, others to meditation or dietary changes. But one of the less noticeable yet scientifically grounded methods is bodywork, particularly massage. Touch, pressure, and the rhythm of the procedures trigger not only physical reactions in the muscles and blood vessels; they also initiate a chain of biochemical changes in the brain.

Today, more and more research shows that massage is not just a pleasant sensation but a real trigger for the production of those very neurotransmitters and hormones that we conditionally call "happiness hormones." These substances regulate mood, motivation, recovery ability, and even sleep. In other words, the right massage can act as a natural "biohack" for enhancing emotional well-being.

In this article, we will step by step explore the mechanisms underlying this effect: how touch transforms into a chemical reaction in the brain, which types of massage are most effective for stimulating specific neurotransmitters, and what expected changes can be noticed in everyday life. By the way, the idea of “massage as a science of mood” is actively developed today by practitioners - in particular, the team Delux by Bezvuliak in Lviv, where they work with touch as carefully as scientists do with neurotransmitters. It was the massage therapists of this salon who helped prepare this article by sharing their practical experience and observations on how bodywork affects a person's emotional state.

The term "happiness hormones" became popular thanks to the media, but from a scientific perspective, it refers to a group of different substances that together shape our emotional background and influence behavior. They not only determine how much joy we derive from life but also regulate pain, sleep, appetite, and even social interaction. Let's consider the main participants in this chemical orchestra.

Endorphins - the body's natural painkillers. They block pain signals, reduce anxiety, and induce feelings of lightness or even euphoria. Their levels increase after physical exertion, laughter, pleasant touch, and, as studies show, after quality massage.

Serotonin - a neurotransmitter responsible for mood stability, feelings of harmony, and satisfaction. It is also known as the "calm hormone." When serotonin levels drop, we become irritable, fatigued, and sometimes even prone to depressive states. Increased serotonin levels are associated with touch, warmth, and feelings of care.

Dopamine - the chemical driver of motivation. It creates a sense of reward when we achieve a goal or receive something pleasant. However, unlike short-term dopamine spikes (for example, from social media or sugar), the response to massage is more balanced and long-lasting.

Oxytocin - the hormone of trust and social attachment. It is often called the "hug hormone." Massage accompanied by comfort and warmth activates the release of oxytocin, which reduces stress levels and enhances the feeling of inner security.

Together, these substances create a complex yet harmonious system of emotional regulation. They function as an invisible mixer that determines our well-being. And massage, as it turns out, has a unique ability to tune this mixer naturally - through touch and bodily contact.

At first glance, it seems that massage is merely a mechanical influence on the body. But in reality, it triggers a complex series of neurophysiological processes that directly affect the brain and endocrine system. Touch, pressure, and the rhythm of massage movements activate skin receptors that transmit signals through the nervous system to the brain, where "the biochemistry of happiness" begins. The step-by-step impact of professional massage on the body:

During stress, the body produces the hormone cortisol, which helps cope with tension, but in excess, it depletes the nervous system. Massage reduces the activity of the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for the "fight or flight" response) and activates the parasympathetic system, which is responsible for calmness and recovery. As a result, cortisol levels drop, and the body enters recovery mode.

Gentle pressure and slow rhythmic movements stimulate the so-called C-tactile fibers - special nerve endings that respond specifically to pleasant touch. They transmit signals to the area of the brain associated with emotions - the insula. This mechanism is directly related to the increase in oxytocin and serotonin levels.

Research shows that after a 60-minute massage session, endorphin levels in the blood can rise by 20-30%. At the same time, a noticeable decrease in cortisol levels and an increase in serotonin are observed. This combination creates a feeling of lightness, satisfaction, and calm that lasts for several hours after the procedure.

Massage promotes stable dopamine production without sharp swings, as seen after short-term stimuli (coffee, social media, sweets). This creates a longer-lasting sense of satisfaction and inner motivation. A person feels not only relaxed after the procedure but also emotionally charged.

Contact with the practitioner, feelings of care and warmth activate the oxytocin response - this is why many people describe feelings of coziness, calm, or even emotional cleansing after massage. This is a manifestation of the body's biological response to caring touch.

Thus, massage is not just a means to relieve muscle tension. It is a powerful neurobiological tool that helps restore hormonal balance, enhance emotional resilience, and return a sense of inner harmony.

Most people perceive massage only as a way to relax or relieve muscle tension. But looking deeper, massage affects the brain just as much as the body. Through a cascade of neurochemical reactions, as mentioned above, it can restructure the functioning of the nervous system, improve emotional stability, and even change our habits.

One of the most noticeable effects is the normalization of sleep. The increase in serotonin levels after massage promotes the natural production of melatonin - the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. As a result, falling asleep becomes easier, and sleep itself becomes deeper and restorative. Studies show that even a short course of massage can reduce insomnia in people with chronic stress.

Massage helps balance the activity of the limbic system - the part of the brain responsible for emotions. When cortisol levels drop and endorphins rise, the brain stops being in a state of constant alertness. This not only reduces anxiety but also improves cognitive functions: focus, memory, and decision-making ability.

In the modern world, we often fall into the trap of "dopamine swings" - short bursts of pleasure from social media, coffee, or sweets, which quickly give way to fatigue. Massage forms a different pattern: it activates dopamine gradually, creating a stable sense of satisfaction without sharp fluctuations. Thus, the body learns to derive pleasure from healthy stimuli: care, calm, and contact.

All this allows us to position massage as a tool for emotional hygiene. It is a practice that helps maintain the brain in a state of balance, stabilizes hormonal levels, and promotes better adaptation to stress in modern life.

The modern person often worries about the body - sports, nutrition, sleep. But psycho-emotional hygiene remains undervalued. Massage is not a luxury or a "one-hour relaxation session," but a way to restore the body's natural harmony with the brain. When the body receives care, it responds with gratitude: calmness, clarity, and satisfaction with life.

If you want to see how this works in practice, you can visit the salon Delux by Bezvuliak in Lviv. Here, specialists treat massage not as a procedure but as a way to support a person. And after such a session, it truly becomes easier to feel that the body and mood can be on the same side.