The Science Behind Gratitude!

Written by Charlie Aylsworth and Tessa Manikowska 15/10/2025. 

This week: gratitude in sense of thanksgiving 

Science behind gratitude:

• Increasing the production of neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin

• When gratitude is expressed temporary neurotransmitters are released, regular expression of gratitude leads to long-term mental health benefits 

• Gratitude in exam seasons: emotions associated with gratitude reduce production of hormones such as cortisol, calming the nervous system.

• Regularly expressing gratitude shifts cognitive processes, training the brian to focus more on positivity. 

  • Allows for clear thinking and improved concentration 

• When gratitude is expressed, the brain reinforces neural pathways that make it easier to produce those positive neurotransmitters.

• fMRI scan based studies show that gratitude can improve function in the prefrontal cortex, improving skills such as decision-making, emotional regulation, and empathy. 

• 3 A’s of gratitude

  • Appreciation: valuing positive aspects in your life

  • Admiration: recognizing achievements, qualities, and attributes of yourself and others

  • Acknowledgement: letting people in your life know that you appreciate them 

https://www.calm.com/blog/the-science-of-gratitude 

• Overcoming pre-winter blues

This week, on Monday the 13th of October many Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving, a tradition dating back to 1621 starting with an English colonists harvest feast. The widely known celebration is popular throughout North America and takes place either in November (in the US) or October (in Canada). The legend based holiday is considered rich in symbolism, history and tradition making it well known and appreciated. A traditional Thanksgiving meal mainly consists of turkey, bread stuffing, potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie with several families adding other dishes of their liking. The main idea behind the celebration is based on families gathering, sharing food and expressing their gratitude towards each other and factors in their life during shared feasts composed of meals made together. It’s a time for reflection and sharing personal blessings. We hope that your Thanksgiving this year was filled with lots of appreciation, gratitude and tasty dishes! But what is the science behind gratitude? Why and how does it improve our wellbeing? Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin play an important role in improving our long term mental health. When we express feelings of gratitude, these neurotransmitters are released. Other emotions associated with gratitude reduce anxiety-inducing hormones such as cortisol, simple expressions of gratitude calm our nervous system. When you regularly express gratitude, the brian shifts the cognitive processes and patterns it regularly follows. This permits clear thinking and improved concentration- which can be helpful to remember in exam season! It's important to follow the 3 A’s of gratitude when you’re looking to improve cognitive functions. Appreciation: valuing positive aspects in your life, Admiration: recognizing achievements, qualities, and attributes of yourself and others and Acknowledgement: letting people in your life know that you appreciate them. Remember to be thankful!