The Science of Happiness with Axel Bouchon

What if happiness wasn’t just a feeling but something you could train and reinforce?

This week on MindBod AdventurePod, we sit down with Dr. Axel Bouchon, a neuroscientist and biotech entrepreneur who spent 20 years searching for a cure for depression—only to realize he’d been asking the wrong question. Instead of curing sadness, he discovered the source code for happiness—a set of six neurotransmitters that shape our emotional landscape.

In this episode, Axel takes us on a guided tour of our own brains, revealing:

* Why depression can’t be erased—but happiness can be cultivated

* The six neurotransmitters behind different flavors of happiness (it’s not just dopamine!)

* How to “train” yourself for more joy, resilience, and long-term well-being

* Why laughter, nature, music, and even bass drops all play a role in happiness

* How our best memories act as anchors—and why taking photos might actually make us happier

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The Mind Bod Adventure Pod is a community-supported project. If you like these adventures, consider helping us keep the lights on with a paid subscription! ❤️

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We also dive into Matter, Axel’s innovative app that helps reinforce positive neural pathways by engaging with your own peak memories—those moments that spark deep joy, connection, and meaning. It’s a fascinating look at how we can actively shape our emotional landscape for greater balance and well-being.

This episode is part neuroscience, part meditation, and part mind-expanding happiness experiment—so get ready to light up your brain in real time.

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LINKS

* Learn more at: Matter.xyz

* Download the Matter app: matter.xyz/app

What’s your most happiness-inducing memory? Let us know in the comments!

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The Afterparty

The Pod is about to get way weirder… we’re turning these Afterparty sessions into full bi-weekly episodes! We’ll talk, unpack, guide short practices, sing, dance—who knows what else—all in the spirit of bringing you deeper into our weird worlds as practitioners, teachers, and friends. Coming in APRIL! 🎉

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K, That’s all for this week. Thanks for tuning in!

Love always,

🧘🏽‍♀️ Tasha & Jeff 🧘🏼‍♂️

Get full access to The Mind Bod Adventure Pod at www.mindbodpod.com/subscribe