What are the internal biological functions called that makes one feel festive?

[Saulkar]

One can check off the various sensations they experience when Christmas draws near but is there an actual scientific name for the group or individual feelings that generate that Christmas euphoria?

What say you Escaptist? I want to know what makes my black cynical heart feel so fuzzy right now and for the month and a half to come.

 

[Wolfishgrin]

A higher concentration of XMAS hormone receptors and their effector molecules, festivins.

You could have a mutation in the receptors or not be producing enough festivin.

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

Well its NOT the flouroxide i've been sneaking into your water supply thats for sure...
O.O

 

[Kermi]

A higher concentration of XMAS hormone receptors and their effector molecules, festivins.

You could have a mutation in the receptors or not be producing enough festivin.

This is why they make additional amounts of special chocolate during the holidays - easter eggs, chocolate santas, chocolate money. These ramp up from the usual dosage ratio of festivins to chocolate from 1:8 to a rather unhealthy 4:7. Naturally, this is why holiday chocolate tastes so awful.

 

[khiliani]

at the risk of ruining this op with actual science, but it will be something to do with dopamine, seeing as that is the reward neurotransmitter, and the festive feeling is gunna be caused by a spike in that

 

[Aerodyamic]

There's supposed to be a biological impetus for the Christmas season? Something that causes people to think that 3 months prior to the damn event, seasonal music and advertisements are justifiable? Find me the doctor that came up with that bullshit idea, and I'll show you a doctor that needs an emergency asshead-ectomy.

There's no biological trigger that causes the 'festive season' or 'festive feelings'; it's cultural programming, plain and simple. I don't mind if the rest of the western world wants to celebrate it, but I get deathly tired of the music and adverts starting before Hallowe'en. Could we not at least save that shit for AFTER November 11th?

 

[Saulkar]

There's supposed to be a biological impetus for the Christmas season? Something that causes people to think that 3 months prior to the damn event, seasonal music and advertisements are justifiable? Find me the doctor that came up with that bullshit idea, and I'll show you a doctor that needs an emergency asshead-ectomy.

There's no biological trigger that causes the 'festive season' or 'festive feelings'; it's cultural programming, plain and simple. I don't mind if the rest of the western world wants to celebrate it, but I get deathly tired of the music and adverts starting before Hallowe'en. Could we not at least save that shit for AFTER November 11th?

Sure, I did not start having these feelings till the 15th (yesterday). In turn I was not refering to a biological trigger that does not exist, just the knowledge of the good things to come like taking a break from school and work and visiting my grandparents, fuck presents. What I am refering to is simply the biological functions that occur that make you feel festive, not what triggers it. One person said higher levels of dopamine, I will role with that. On the other hand why does it feel so different during Christmas. I cannot help but feel it has something to do with the change in seasons and the bodies responses to that, but hey. I am no biologist.

P.S. Take a chill pill or a chill strip, whichever one is within reach or turn off the tv and avert your eyes from advertisements in papers and just stare at all the pretty house lights. They do not get much better than this.


Such lovely music (No sarcasm intended on this reply)

 

[Saulkar]

at the risk of ruining this op with actual science, but it will be something to do with dopamine, seeing as that is the reward neurotransmitter, and the festive feeling is gunna be caused by a spike in that

Possibly, I am also going the add that possibly the change in season and the resulting biological changes in our bodies has certain effects on the dopamine generating that unique sensation you only feel during Christmas. Dunno.

 

[Tasachan]

You're kinda like Pavlov's dogs, but it's more complex.

Nice call. I never made that comparison between that and Christmas before.