Do you ever find yourself craving a feel-good pizza, and no matter how hard you try, you can't get the pie off your mind? You are not alone. Pizza is a favorite food of the masses. It's a staple in many family's takeout routines. And it turns out that there's a scientific reason why so many people love pizza so much, as well as why it makes you feel so happy when you eat it.
The Science behind Pizza & Happiness
When you hear the word "pizza" the word "science" probably doesn't come to your mind. There are many other words that you probably do associate with pizza. Cheesy, delicious, mouthwatering, Friday night. But science? Certainly not.
However, there is a very real connection between a feel-good pizza, science, and why it makes you so happy. It's not just your tastebuds and your stomach that love pizza. Your brain loves pizza too. That's because your brain contains neurotransmitters that control the release of chemicals that make you feel certain ways. For example, dopamine and serotonin are two of these chemicals. When your brain gets a rush of them you feel happy, elated, and excited.
But what does this have to do with pizza? These chemicals are triggered by a wide variety of things. People you love, activities you enjoy, and, you guessed it, your favorite foods. When you eat pizza it sends the signal to your brain to release these chemicals, making you feel great.
Eating a Feel Good Pizza
The chemical reaction in your brain that results from eating a pizza may be what makes it one of your favorite foods. It's only natural. It may seem that humans are biologically inclined to love pizza. Have you ever heard a person say they dislike a nice cheesy pie? We haven't.
This may also be the reason you look forward to pizza night. When you think of your hot pizza arriving you get excited in anticipation of the chemicals your brain is about to release and the delight that you're about to experience. Your excitement is bound to heighten when you smell the pizza as it comes through your door. Some researchers have found that people actually experience the highest point of pizza-related happiness when they first smell the pizza–even more so than when they are actually eating it.
Pizza Was Put to the Test
You're probably nodding along with us by now, thinking to yourself "it all makes sense." It's no secret that we love pizza, and it may seem silly that it's been scientifically studied. And yet, it has.
People were so curious to get down to the bottom of why feel good pizzas, well, make us feel good, that they conducted controlled experiments that The Journal of Neuroscience published. The study states that men, when fasted and then fed two meals, one of pizza and one of a liquid containing the same calories and nutritional value, got more joy with the pizza–biologically. Researchers published brain scans that show the difference between the "happy" areas in men's brains. The result? Pizza made the men's brains light up significantly more compared to the other meal. Pizza made the men happier.
What Does It Mean?
It means that our brains are hardwired to love pizza! It's great news when you think about it. Here at Hungry Howie's®, we'll never judge you for ordering pizza multiple times a week. But, your friends and family may ask why so many pies. The answer is simple, it's science. Your brain needs it, your tastebuds need it, and let's be real, sometimes you just need a pizza.
If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. We eat pizza as a celebration, for birthdays or after the big game. We eat pizza to bond, on family takeout night or when we get together with friends, and admittedly, we eat pizza when we're sad too. Because pizza simply makes everything better. Now we have science to back us up when we say pizza really is the best (if we needed science to back that up, anyway).
Order Your Feel Good Pizza Today
Our bet is that, by now, you're already thinking about your next pizza. You're probably already excited about it, and you may even want to order one right now. Have you already texted your roommate or your significant other and said, "Pizza tonight?"
Hungry Howie's® is here to make your pizza wishes come true. Give us a call or order online to satisfy your pizza craving. We'll have a pie ready for you. If you're in the neighborhood, swing by and grab your pizza to-go. Or, if you're busy we can bring your pizza right to your door when you order delivery.
No matter how you get your pizza, you can't go wrong. And best of all, you'll be feeding your brain.