[Physicist]

I don't think philosophy correlates with mood at all. I've known depressed people who've turned towards religion, and depressed people who've turned away. They've remained depressed in every case. The only thing I personally have seen work is Prozac.

For the opposite effect, I offer myself as an example. I'm one of those insufferably happy people. Of course, bad events upset me, and of course I have my "sad" days, but my default state is that I'm really happy. Sometimes my happiness is punctuated by periods of near euphoria, and these are not caused by any events or circumstances in my life. They certainly are not religious in nature, as I am an agnostic.

I conclude from all of this that one's mood is largely determined by physiology.

[Physicist]

They certainly are not religious in nature, as I am an agnostic.

Let me amend that: I am a Deist. For most of my life I was an agnostic. For most Freepers, that amounts to the same thing, anyway.

[chicagolady]

L-Tryptophan an amino-acid

Otherwise touted as "Natures Prozac"

THAT"s why they banned it from the market!! Think of how much money the DRUG companies would lose!
But a smart Freeper can stil find it on line.


Also has been a great tool for my mothers depression caused by dementia.

[Lazamataz]

For the opposite effect, I offer myself as an example. I'm one of those insufferably happy people. Of course, bad events upset me, and of course I have my "sad" days, but my default state is that I'm really happy. Sometimes my happiness is punctuated by periods of near euphoria, and these are not caused by any events or circumstances in my life.

Me too. I have this constant 'tickle' of current going to the pleasure centers of my brain. I can feel it right this very second.

Of course, this constant 'on' state in my 'joy' button has some serious drawbacks: It has made me a bit of a hedonist and tended to exacerbate my drug problems.

[hopespringseternal]

They certainly are not religious in nature, as I am an agnostic.

Christians are often so quick to credit their good times and moods to their beliefs and assume that no other belief or philosophy offers those feelings.

The truth is that you can derive moods and feelings from anything.

I believe, but I don't imagine that all that transpired was so that I could be in a good mood.