Happy Therapy

The Dalai Lama, after many years of studying humankind and trying to reach enlightenment, stated that: “Happiness is the purpose of our lives.”  There is a new product, called “Smiley” composed of theobromine and phenylethylamine that is supposed to have a 100 percent medical affect on our mood.  Smiley is manufactured by Arthes Licensing of France.  Here are some comments made about this product: Felicia Milewicz, beauty director of Glamour Magazine: “Smiley’s scent reminds her of childhood and gives her a warm feeling,” and Joe Heim, of the Washington Post: “It’s cheaper than an hour with a psychiatrist, but at least you don’t leave the shrink’s couch smelling like you’ve been doused in Glade.”
Since the beginning of man’s time on earth, he has struggled to find happiness.

The Dalai Lama, after studying thousand of years of teachings and reaching the ultimate human condition, that of being “enlightened”, said “The purpose of our lives is to be happy.”

The Science of Happiness and psychology courses at universities about how to be happy are currently en vogue.

But, as always, there is a short-cut directly beneath our very noses. It’s comes in the form of a shampoo named Smiley, and it markets itself as the “Universal brand of joy and happiness.”

According to Smiley, the biochemistry of their secret formula combines theobromine and phenylethylamine, two ingredients extracted from pure cocoa. The company claims that these have a “100 per cent
medical” effect on mood.

Phenylethylamine is the same compound said to give chocolate its aphrodisiac qualities. The company claims that the substance “sets off feelings of joy, excitement, and euphoria.”

Theobromine is an organic alkaloid that some contend blocks stress and induces feelings of pleasure. The makers of Smiley simply say that it “decreases stress.”

Smiley is manufactured by Arthes Licensing of France. The company uses fantastic and sensational-sounding hooks like the following:

• Micro-nutrients to activate happiness,
• Prescription-free happiness,
• Psycho-stimulant cocktail,
• Self-prescribing happiness,
• Anti-stress remedy to be consumed without any moderation.

Finally, the company plays on your sense of logic and indulgence when it asks:

“Who could refuse some drops of optimism in daily life?”

The product is being sold in the U.S. without the extraordinary medical claims.

Does the product actually do all that it says it does? Is this really the way to happiness? Can happiness really be bought?

Here are some varied opinions from The StarPhoenix:

Massimo Marcone, University of Guelph scientist: “There is very little data that will support the assertions being made. A lot of this is very placebo in nature. . . . Even the companies get
sucked into it. They believe these things have certain types of
aphrodisiac or antidepressant qualities or things of that nature when
in fact, in many cases, they don’t.”

Felicia Milewicz, beauty director of Glamour magazine: Smiley’s scent reminds her of childhood and gives her a warm feeling.

Joe Heim, Washington Post: “It’s cheaper than an hour with a psychiatrist, but at least you don’t
leave the shrink’s couch smelling as if you’d been doused with Glade.”

Chandler Burr, New York Times perfume critic and expert in the science of scent:

“I don’t for a single second believe that Smiley or any other scent
is going to have an actual biochemical effect on neurotransmitters in
the same mechanism by which Prozac and the serotonin reuptake
inhibitors class of psycho-pharmaceuticals operate,” says Burr, author
of The Emperor of Scent.

“That said, I absolutely believe . . .
that were someone to do legitimate, scientific, double-blinded clinical
trials using Smiley and . . . other lovely, light, highly illuminated
incandescent scents and measure their effect on mood, subjects would
report feeling elevated mood and more happiness for at least brief
periods of time.”

Burr explains the positive influence on emotion as a simple matter of aromatherapy. “These
things smell pleasant, sweet, nice, and thus they make people respond
positively,” he says. “Of course, you can get the same effect from a
nice bouquet of flowers.”

I think you know my take on all of this. Happiness comes from within, period.

The Dalai Lama said:

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”

Thanks to Karen Lynch at Live the Power for including this post in the 6th edition of the Live the Power Unlimited Carnival.

Bookmark to: