When we listen to a beautiful piece of music, poem , story or look at a magnificent work of painting , our brain releases what is known as the Angels cocktail. The Angels cocktail are hormones such as Oxytocin, Serotonin, Dopamine and Endorphins that are released in the brain when we engage with the arts..
Oxytocin, known as the love hormone is responsible for sending messages of recognition, trust, romantic attachment and mother–infant bonding.
Serotonin is a hormone and chemical that transmits messages to nerves all over the body. It helps in focusing our mind , regulating mood and giving us a feeling of happiness.
Dopamine which (along with serotonin) is called the „happy hormone,“ because its release in the brain gives us a feeling of well being. Dopamine increaseswhen we experience any pleasure such as working towards the completion of a task.
Endorphins help in reducing pain and discomfort and it regulates our mood and increases self esteem.
As against the Angels cocktail is the Devils cocktail where stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin are released in the event of conflicts, stress and violent incidents.
Cortisol and adrenalin inhibit our immune system and paralyze our rational thinking.