41 - Endorphins

Nature’s happy chemicals!

Endorphins are natural chemicals made by your body that act like painkillers and mood boosters.

They mainly block pain signals in the brain and help reduce stress, making you feel happier and more relaxed. Your body releases them during exercise, laughter, eating spicy food, or even sex, often creating a "runner's high."

Produced in the brain's pituitary gland and hypothalamus, endorphins bind to special receptors to ease discomfort and promote well-being, similar to morphine but without drugs. There are over 20 types, with beta-endorphins being the strongest for pain relief 

The yellow smiley face graphic started as a simple morale booster in 1963.

Commercial artist Harvey Ball designed it in 10 minutes for State Mutual Life Assurance Company in Worcester, Massachusetts, to cheer up employees after a tough merger. He chose sunny yellow with oval eyes and a curved smile, getting paid just $45, and it never got trademarked by him.

Brothers Bernard and Murray Spain popularized it in the 1970s by adding "Have a Nice Day" and mass-producing buttons, stickers, and shirts—selling over 50 million. French journalist Franklin Loufrani trademarked a version in 1972, licensing it worldwide and turning it into a pop culture icon used in fashion, ads, rave culture, and emojis.

11 year old me was very pleased to be able to incorporate her beloved motif into this project as floating brain bubbles and 40 year old me was pleased to be able to bring her into 2025 with me. ❤️

Available in 4 hand numbered limited editions of 600, premium fine art museum-grade archival quality prints, from only $195.

100% of the profits from this project will be donated to brain cancer research.

Limited edition

premium fine art archival print

supporting brain cancer research

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