Purpose in life (ikigai) may improve obesity caused by stress: a proposal based on traits of neurotransmitters related to emotions

Abstract

Abstract--This paper aims to propose a way to improve obesity using purpose in life (PIL/ikigai) in view of the chemical traits of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, noradrenalin, and -endorphin related to emotions. Any stress, such as troubles in human relationships, causes anxiety that may relate to an imbalanced secretion of neurotransmitters. Every person has a need to establish meaning in his/her life, i.e., PIL/ikigai, intrinsically. PIL/ikigai is a prefrontal lobe function developed through evolutionary processes. Therefore, PIL/ikigai is a natural and mentally healthy way to cope with stress and causes well-balanced secretion of neurotransmitters. Obesity causes serious diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes and sometimes leads to death. One of factors influencing obesity is binge eating caused by stress, i.e., anxiety. Binge eating may be an alternative to PIL/ikigai in the secretion of neurotransmitters relating to pleasure and comfort. Therefore, PIL/ikigai may reduce binge eating and lead to decreasing obesity.Keywords--Purpose in life (PIL)/ikigai, stress, emotion, neurotransmitters, obesity I.