15.09.2018 – A new happiness hormone

Our tour starts with a brief view of Beaked whales. Since the animals were just too far away and did not appear anymore, we can not say what kind of Beaked whales we had. The small group Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) swam relaxed through the ocean… but the Atlantic Spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) really wanted to acknowledge them! Active, interested, curious they circled around the boat. Sheep clouds, smooth seas and very interactive dolphins … this is the best way to create the perfect Saturday in spotted company.

Interesting, what happens when this little dolphins takes such an intense contact with us. You feel as if you become part of the group. The guests and the crew are full of joy and wonder … a very special hormone is released, which belongs to the group of happiness hormones.

The following six happiness hormones are well known: Serotonin (in walnuts, pineapple, bananas, etc.), Dopamine (in protein-rich foods, coffee, sunlight, reaching goals), Norepinephrine (in high-protein diet), endorphin (chocolate, hot chili peppers, etc.), Oxytocin (caused by any kind of pleasant skin contact) and Phenethylamine (in bitter almond oil and cocoa beans) … also sports activities increase the happiness hormone level.

Now there is another, scientifically not yet much researched hormone, which is responsible for extreme happiness. It is very closely related to the Endorphin … this special hormone is called EnDOLPHIN … as has been frequently observed, this is directly related to the experience of marine mammals … more precise connections and modes of action must (hopefully often) be investigated ;). In order to increase the hormone level of this wonderful hormone, it is necessary to do a whale watching tour with us 😉

by Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic Spotted dolphins

Stenella

12:00 Beaked whales, Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic Spotted dolphins