The 5 scientific elements of
a happy brain
If Only Happiness Was a No-Brainer integrates findings from neuroscience and psychology to present five essential elements of happiness:
Pleasure - having delicious food, music, and hummer all activate our brain's reward system.
Purpose - pursuing goals that align with our values and talent, that make us grow, and that contribute to others also activate the brain's reward system.
People - smiles and hugs, empathy and being understood, kindness and fairness all makes us happy.
Perspective - having a positive mindset also enhance the brain's reward system function.
Resilience - dealing well with life's difficult situations mentally and in the real world reduce the brain's aversive system activations which foster a healthy reward system function.
Through lighthearted personal stories and clear, evidence-based insights, this book shows how each pillar is expressed in the brain—offering readers an understanding of how to have a more meaningful, connected, and happy lives.
The Neuroscience and Psychology
behind emotions and living well
If Only Happiness Was a No-Brainer is redefining how we think about happiness.
Neuroscience reveals that happiness is not just a fleeting emotion, but a measurable brain state.
Happiness is centered in the brain’s reward system and shaped by its social, cognitive, and aversive networks. The brain's reward system is found in the brain emotional areas colored in yellow in the diagram.
Complementing these insights, psychology helps us understand which life goals are worth pursuing, which social connections most enrich our well-being, which self-help practices foster a positive mindset, and how to effectively manage stress, fear, and depression, the key obstacles to sustained happiness.
Our Mission
We aim to educate scientifically people about happiness. It is important to be happy because it not only feels good, it also make us more productive, more creative, more resilient, kinder, and live longer. By educating others about how to get happy we hope to make the world a better place.
Book Reviews
Sam S
Wow, this completely changed how I think about happiness...
What really stood out was how the brain research backs up everything the book suggests. It's not just another self-help book throwing around random tips; there's real evidence behind every recommendation.
MJ Hansen
This book is a refreshing blend of neuroscience, psychology, and practical wisdom. I loved how the authors explain complex ideas in a way that feels clear and inspiring, never overwhelming. The tone is warm, encouraging, and rooted in real science, which makes the journey both educational and uplifting. ... Highly recommend!
Michael Schank
I’ve read many self-help books, but this one actually feels evidence-based. I like that it doesn’t just tell you to “be happy,” but explains the why and the how. I’ve started using some of the exercises suggested for perspective and resilience. It’s concise, clear, and full of insights I can apply immediately. I’ll definitely be recommending it to friends.
BIO
Driven by curiosity and a deep love of understanding science, nature, and people, Yair pursued a PhD in Neuroscience from UCLA and a master's in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from the University of San Diego. Yair hopes this book will inspire people to focus on what truly matters, empowering them to lead happier and more meaningful lives. Yair loves exploring the world with his family, and they even got involved in establishing a lodge in the Amazon rainforest together.
Daniel Aizenman has been a pioneer of medical, sustainability, and educational projects for villages in the Amazon rainforest for a decade. He has a master's in biology from Miami University and a Bachelor’s in neurobiology, physiology, and behavior from UC, Davis. Dani is currently a medical student at Nova Southeastern University and plans to become a psychiatrist while continuing his endeavors to assist under-resourced people irrespective of their location across the globe.