The Power of Pleasure and Play

Play is a critical part of learning and developing, both physically and mentally.

Pleasure and play do something really unique to the brain. They elicit chemicals that rewire it in ways that can help you:

-Make mental connections more easily
-Spark creativity and motivation
-Increase innovative thinking, and 
-Open to new perspectives

An extraordinary number of species – from squid to lizards to humans – participate in some form of play, In fact, when animals are deprived of the opportunity to play, they become impaired socially, emotionally, and cognitively (Baarendse et al., 2013; Van den Berg et al., 1999; Vanderschuren & Trezza, 2014; Von Frijtag et al., 2002). 

This suggests that the brain is programmed for pleasure and playfulness, and that there are, in fact, adverse consequences when play is thwarted or rejected.

But why? What is the evolutionary purpose?

The Purpose of Play
As we navigate through this reality, we constantly encounter novel, uncertain, and stressful situations. Being able to respond adaptively in these situations provides a significant survival advantage.

Engaging in play, especially at an early age, has a profound influence on that adaptability.

According to an article from Dr. Sam Wang and Dr. Sandra Aamodt’s book Welcome to Your Child’s Brain: How the Mind Grows from Conception to College (Bloomsbury USA, 2011; OneWorld Publications, 2011), a bear cub’s survival over the winter during their first year of life is highly correlated to the amount that the cubs played during the preceding summer.

This suggests that play might be an indicator of vitality or resistance to stress.

When we experience play, the brain generates chemical signals that imprint a key component of pleasure – reward – which is the quality that makes us come back for more. Even more interesting, Drs. Wang and Aamodt show that play activates the brain’s reward circuitry while simultaneously not activating the negative stress response.

This means that the conditions of play allow the brain to explore possibilities and to learn from them – making pleasure and play an ideal context from which to expand and grow.

So, What is Play?
Play is the subtle act of turning the mundane (or even annoying) into something personally interesting or entertaining.

The act of playing can feel like it has no purpose – and that's really the point. If there is any goal, it’s simple enjoyment, or pleasure.

Types of Play
Researchers tend to describe three types of (animal) play.

The most common type of play is object play. Any ball-centric sport, shooting a bow and arrow, running your hand through a patch of wild rosemary - anything that interacts with an object would be considered object play. Object play is typically found in species that hunt, scavenge, or eat a wide variety of foods.

Locomotor play like leaping, crawling, walking, or running is common among animals that move around a lot—like those that swim, fly, or live in trees. 

The third and most sophisticated form of play is social play. Social play might include mock fighting, chasing, and wrestling.

Imagination, roleplay, and fantasy is a major component of social play.

Obviously, humans tend to engage in all three forms of play, sometimes simultaneously.

The Neurochemistry of Pleasure and Play
There are both chemical and biological influences that make play feel good. This feel-good response centers around a particular collection of hormones – most notably endorphins, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin – that play a role in how you experience happiness – and work together every moment of your day to regulate your mood, perception, and view on life.

Endorphins. When you play, your body releases chemicals known as endorphins that interact with pleasure and pain receptors in your brain. By eliciting mild amounts of pain or stress, the body responds with a dose of pleasure.

If you’ve ever experienced a “runner’s high” after a particularly good workout (or kinky play scene) or a rush from eating spicy foods, you’ve experienced endorphins. Endorphins can make you feel more positive, more motivated, and may even help to block pain. They improve the immune response and reduce stress.

Oxytocin. Sometimes known as the “love” or “hug” hormone, oxytocin is a powerful neurotransmitter – often elicited by touch – that creates a feeling of bonding.

Oxytocin elicits trust, empathy, positive memories, and kinder communication, and produces a feeling of serenity and satisfaction when we’re with people we care about.

Dopamine. Dopamine is often called the “reward drug,” is a feel-good hormone that provides a boost of pleasure and contributes to feelings of happiness, enhanced cognitive ability, and an improved ability to learn and pay attention.

Exercise, spending time outside, meditating, sex, accomplishing a task, hearing something funny, and playing with a pet all stimulate the production of dopamine.

(It’s also important to know that too much dopamine is also linked to addictive behaviors.)

Serotonin. Serotonin impacts mood, our ability to sleep, memory, and learning. Some of the ways serotonin is boosted is by getting more sunlight, yoga and meditation, exercising, eating foods high in tryptophan, and expressing gratitude.

This is why gratitude journaling has become so popular.

Research has found that an imbalance in serotonin levels can lead to negative moods, including anxiety and panic, as well as depression.

Other Benefits
Flow-State. Play often has the quality of a suspension of time. Total immersion in an activity tends to indicate that the activity is highly pleasurable - this is the concept of the flow-state, or what athletes call being in the zone.

A flow-state occurs during experiences that require concentration but are also highly practiced, where the goals and boundaries are clear but leave room for innovation. This describes hobbies from skiing to music, as well as technical careers like surgery and computer programming. Such immersion can make solving what feels like a great challenge intuitive and effortless.

Career. Play is considered a major contributor to successful problem solving. In the article, “Play, Stress, and the Learning Brain,” Wang and Armondt add that “work in adult life is often most effective when it resembles play.”

Relationships. Relationships can also benefit from playfulness. And in the right shared context, playing with someone can rebuild connection where hurt or disappointment exist.

It’s Never Too Late
A study from psychologists from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) shows that playfulness can be simulated and trained, so even if you didn’t get much play as a child, it’s not too late.

When you have a playful approach to life and direct energy toward fun or even silliness, you're tapping into a mental state that researchers now associate with emotional stability, better work performance, innovation, academic acuity, flexibility, better coping skills, stronger relationships, and enhanced well-being.

And based on the Law of Attraction, the more you invite pleasure, positivity, and possibility into your mind and life, the more pleasure, positivity, and possibility you magnetize to yourself.

So, how can you bring more pleasure or play into your day today?

In wholeness,
Sharon

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