Wellbeing Protocol

Wellbeing Quantified - The Balance between NeuroScience & Spirituality /Mysticism.

Wellbeing ~ f ( Physiology, Emotions, Feelings, Thoughts, Habits, & Performance ).

Wellbeing -Definitions

From Neuroscience to Philosophy to Mysticism

Academics - Objective Wellbeing

objective well-being is often assessed using indicators that measure aspects of education, physical and built environment, community, and economy.
This approach tends to capture a societal rather than an individual perspective on well-being that is based on material, tangible and quantitative indicators.

Academics - Subjective Wellbeing

Subjective well-being is characterized by the individual’s internal subjective assessment, based on cognitive judgments and affective reactions, of their own life as a whole.
There are various sub-dimensions that investigators consider within the domain of subjective well-being. These include psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of well-being.

Neuroscience - AndrewHuberman

Human species was given this incredible gift, #neuroplsticity - the ability to change ourselves and make ourselves better in deliberate ways- neuroplasticity
Definition of Greatness:
- Anyone that's making that effort even in a tiny way just to take this incredible machinery we were given and to leverage it better to being better, feeling better, and showing up better for other people

Mysticism - Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

Being available to the infinite wisdom of the cosmos / GOD is the only possible way to experience life in its entirety. Giving expression to the creator within.

Mysticism - NIRVANA SHATAKAM by Adi Shankaracharya

I am not the mind, the intellect, the ego or the memory,
I am not the ears, the skin, the nose or the eyes,
I am not space, not earth, not fire, water or wind,

I am not the breath, nor the five elements,
I am not matter, nor the 5 sheaths of consciousness
Nor am I the speech, the hands, or the feet,

There is no like or dislike in me, no greed or delusion,
I know not pride or jealousy,
I have no duty, no desire for wealth, lust or liberation,

No virtue or vice, no pleasure or pain,
I need no mantras, no pilgrimage, no scriptures or rituals,
I am not the experienced, nor the experience itself,

[I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva...] * 4

Measuring Objective wellbeing

(Institutional / Societal Level)

HDI - The Human Development Index

The Human Development Index (HDI) is composed of life expectancy, mean years of education and expected years of schooling for children, and GDP per capita. The HDI was developed by the United Nations Development Programme and is used alongside other
measures (inequality-adjusted human development index, gender development index, gender inequality index and multidimensional poverty index) to expand “the richness of human life, rather than simply the richness of the economy in which human beings live.”
HDI, first published in 1990, includes data for
https://hdr.undp.org/en/content/human-development-index-hdi
180 countries. By ranking countries in a way that goes beyond GDP it promotes national conversations about priorities and policies. The UNDP issues reports used by policy makers at the UN and elsewhere.

GPI - The Genuine Progress Indicator

The Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) is a metric that begins with the Gross Domestic Product, adds “goods” not counted such as child and elder care, volunteerism, subtracts “bads” such as oil spills, crime (according to Jeffrey Sachs, some governments now include prostitution and drug trade in GDP) and evens out long term investment spending, such as roads and sewage systems. In the U.S., Maryland’s legislature is currently using the GPI (http://dnr.maryland.gov/mdgpi/Pages/default.aspx).

SGD - The Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals are an evolving set of indicators developed by
the United Nations to measure sustainable development. To date, they are composed
of 232 indicators, predominantly objective, although there has been discussion of
incorporating subjective well-being indicators but does not yet. The indicator set encompasses 17 areas: poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, water, energy, work & economy, industry & infrastructure, inequality, cities & communities, consumption & production, climate, fisheries (life below water), biodiversity (life on land), peace, and partnerships.

The objective well-being is at a macro scale and that rarely helps an individual. So what's the ideal way?

Measuring Subjective Wellbeing

Individual Level

What's a good framework that's rooted in science ?

Dr. Alan Watkins' Complete Coherence - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q06YIWCR2Js is in accordance with how our brain and neural network works. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-XfCl-HpRM

What's the Framework to measure?

Wellbeing ~ f ( Physiology, Emotions, Feelings, Thoughts, Habits, and Performance)

Physiology?

Blood work data, right from glucose level to cholesterol levels, to Heart Rate variability and 85 other factors that a typical full body blood work gives is a good proxy to measure the physiological state of our body

Emotions?

Energy in Motion or sum state of the neuromodulators in your body

https://wellbeingprotocol.org/emotionsandfeelings

#Love
- Dopamine:
  - Definition: A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and attraction, playing a significant role in the feeling of love12.
  - Natural Regulation: Engaging in enjoyable activities, exercise, and consuming foods rich in tyrosine (e.g., almonds, bananas, and avocados).
  - Supplemental Regulation: Tyrosine supplements can support dopamine production.
- Norepinephrine:
  - Definition: A neurotransmitter related to arousal and alertness, contributing to the exhilaration and butterflies associated with new love12.
  - Natural Regulation: Exercise and stress-reducing techniques can help regulate norepinephrine levels.
  - Supplemental Regulation: There isn't a specific supplement to regulate norepinephrine, but maintaining a balanced lifestyle can help manage its levels.
- Serotonin:
  - Definition: A neurotransmitter known for mood stabilization but its levels may decrease in early stages of love, contributing to obsessive thoughts about the loved one3.
  - Natural Regulation: Sunlight exposure, exercise, and a balanced diet rich in tryptophan.
  - Supplemental Regulation: While there isn't a direct supplement for serotonin, maintaining a balanced lifestyle can support serotonin levels.
- Oxytocin:
  - Definition: Often termed the "love hormone," it's associated with bonding, affection, and attachment12.
  - Natural Regulation: Physical touch, bonding with loved ones, and engaging in social activities.
  - Supplemental Regulation: There isn't a direct supplement for oxytocin, but nurturing social relationships can promote its production.
- Vasopressin:
  - Definition: A hormone playing a role in long-term bonding and relationships, alongside oxytocin12.
  - Natural Regulation: Maintaining a balanced lifestyle and healthy relationships.
  - Supplemental Regulation: There isn't a direct supplement for vasopressin, but maintaining healthy relationships can support its levels.
- Testosterone and Estrogen:
  - Definition: Hormones driving lust, a component of love, by influencing sexual attraction1.
  - Natural Regulation: Maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise.
  - Supplemental Regulation: Hormone replacement therapy under medical supervision, if needed.
- Cortisol:
  - Definition: A stress hormone that may have its levels altered in the early stages of love, affecting serotonin levels and potentially contributing to the emotional rollercoaster of love3.
  - Natural Regulation: Stress-reducing techniques like meditation, exercise, and a balanced diet.
  - Supplemental Regulation: Adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
#Fear
- #Serotonin
  - Serotonin modulates the amygdala's response to emotional stimuli, playing a crucial role in fear processing1.
  - Natural Regulation: Eating a balanced diet rich in tryptophan (found in foods like turkey, eggs, and cheese), getting enough sunlight, and regular exercise can help boost serotonin levels.
  - Supplemental Regulation: Supplements like 5-HTP and St. John’s Wort may help increase serotonin levels. It's important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking these supplements.
- #Adrenaline and #Noradrenaline:
  - These neurotransmitters are part of the body's "fight-or-flight" response to fear and stress, preparing the body to react to danger2.
  - Natural Regulation: Relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help manage stress and, in turn, regulate adrenaline and noradrenaline levels.
  - Supplemental Regulation: While there's no direct supplement to regulate these neurotransmitters, supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids and Magnesium may help manage stress, indirectly affecting adrenaline and noradrenaline levels.
- #Glutamate:
  - Glutamate is involved in the body's "fight-or-flight" response to fear and stress, triggering various physiological responses3.
  - Natural Regulation: A balanced diet and avoiding substances that may excite glutamate receptors like MSG (monosodium glutamate) can help regulate glutamate levels.
  - Supplemental Regulation: Magnesium supplements can act as a natural NMDA antagonist, which may help in regulating glutamate activity. Consultation with a healthcare provider is advisable before taking any supplements.
- #Corticotropin-Releasing-Hormone (CRH):
  - CRH is implicated in orchestrating responses to fear and anxiety4.
  - Natural Regulation: Managing stress through relaxation techniques and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can contribute to regulating CRH levels.
  - Supplemental Regulation: There isn't a direct supplement to regulate CRH, but managing stress through other supplemental means may indirectly affect CRH levels.
#Anger
- #Adrenaline and #Noradrenaline:
  - These neurotransmitters are part of the body's immediate stress response system. They prepare the body for a "fight-or-flight" response to perceived threats by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy supplies1.
  - Natural Regulation: Engaging in relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help to regulate the body's stress response and decrease levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Moreover, regular physical exercise can also be beneficial in managing these neurotransmitter levels.
  - Supplemental Regulation: There's no direct supplement to regulate adrenaline and noradrenaline, but certain supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids and Magnesium may help in managing stress and anxiety, which in turn may regulate these neurotransmitter levels.
- #Serotonin:
  - Deficient serotonin is associated with angry aggression and a well-functioning serotonin system is involved in anger regulation2.
  - Natural Regulation: Exposure to sunlight, exercise, and a balanced diet rich in tryptophan can help increase serotonin levels. Tryptophan is an amino acid that the body converts to serotonin and can be found in foods like turkey, nuts, seeds, tofu, cheese, red meat, chicken, fish, oats, beans, lentils, and eggs.
  - Supplemental Regulation: Supplements like 5-HTP and St. John’s Wort have been used to boost serotonin levels, though it's crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before using these supplements, especially if you're on other medications or have underlying health conditions.
- #Dopamine:
  - Dopamine is associated with the reward system of the brain and is also implicated in aggressive behavior, which can be a component of anger3.
  - Natural Regulation: Healthy activities that are enjoyable or rewarding can boost dopamine levels. This includes exercise, listening to music, engaging in hobbies, and eating foods rich in tyrosine and phenylalanine like almonds, bananas, avocados, eggs, fish, and chicken.
  - Supplemental Regulation: There are supplements like L-Tyrosine which can potentially boost dopamine levels. However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any dopamine-enhancing supplements.
- #GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid):
  - GABA is mentioned in the context of aggressive behavior, a possible expression of anger3.
  - Natural Regulation: Relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation, as well as getting enough sleep, can help maintain GABA levels. Eating foods rich in GABA or its precursors like whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fish can also be beneficial.
  - Supplemental Regulation: GABA supplements are available and can be used to enhance GABA activity in the brain, aiding in the calming of nerves and alleviation of stress.
- #Catecholamines:
  - This class of neurotransmitters, which includes dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline, is released during moments of anger, causing a burst of energy4.
  - Natural Regulation: The regulation methods for catecholamines would be similar to those mentioned for adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine.
  - Supplemental Regulation: As mentioned above, certain supplements might help, but consulting a healthcare provider is crucial.
#Sadness
- #Serotonin:
  - Definition: A neurotransmitter often associated with feelings of well-being and happiness, with low levels potentially leading to sadness or depression.
  - Natural Regulation: Exercise, sunlight exposure, and a diet rich in tryptophan (found in eggs, milk, cheese, soybeans, tofu, and turkey)123.
  - Supplemental Regulation: There isn't a direct supplement for serotonin, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle can promote serotonin balance.
- #Dopamine:
  - Definition: A neurotransmitter involved in the reward and pleasure centers of the brain, with low levels associated with apathy, lack of interest in life, and potentially sadness.
  - Natural Regulation: Exercise and engaging in enjoyable or rewarding activities1.
  - Supplemental Regulation: Tyrosine supplements may support dopamine production4.
- #Norepinephrine:
  - Definition: A neurotransmitter associated with stress response, alertness, and arousal, with imbalances potentially contributing to sadness or mood disorders.
  - Natural Regulation: Exercise and stress management techniques like mindfulness meditation and relaxation exercises.
  - Supplemental Regulation: Iron supplements can help regulate norepinephrine levels5.
- #Corticotropin-Releasing-Hormone (CRH):
  - Definition: A hormone involved in the stress reaction of the HPA (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal) axis, which can contribute to emotional responses like sadness when imbalanced.
  - Natural Regulation: Managing stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, and a balanced diet.
  - Supplemental Regulation: There isn't a direct supplement for CRH, but managing stress through other supplemental means may indirectly affect CRH levels.
- #AminoAcids (as precursors to neurotransmitters):
  - Definition: Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and can be converted into neurotransmitters.
  - Natural Regulation: Consuming a balanced diet rich in essential amino acids.
  - Supplemental Regulation: Supplements containing amino acids may reduce symptoms of sadness as they can be converted into neurotransmitters which in turn alleviate depression and other mental health issues6.
#Surprise
- The emotion of surprise doesn't have as clear-cut neurotransmitter and hormone associations as some other emotions like anger or joy. However, it's been studied that the amygdala, a region in the brain, has specific neurons that get activated during surprising events, both positive and negative. These neurons might play a role in enhanced arousal, attention, and possibly other emotion-related processes, indicating that neurotransmitters involved in arousal and attention might play a role in the experience of surprise1. Further research would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the neurotransmitters and hormones involved in surprise.
#Joy
- Dopamine:
  - Definition: A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and joy.
  - Natural Regulation: Engage in regular exercise, consume a diet rich in tyrosine (found in protein sources like meat and fish)1.
  - Supplemental Regulation: Tyrosine supplements can support dopamine production2.
- Serotonin:
  - Definition: A neurotransmitter crucial for mood stabilization, associated with happiness and satisfaction.
  - Natural Regulation: Exposure to sunlight, exercise, and a balanced diet rich in tryptophan.
  - Supplemental Regulation: While there isn't a direct supplement for serotonin, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can promote serotonin balance.
- Endorphins:
  - Definition: Neurotransmitters known for their pain-relieving properties, also associated with feelings of euphoria and joy.
  - Natural Regulation: Engage in regular physical exercise, which can trigger endorphin release.
  - Supplemental Regulation: There isn't a direct supplement for endorphins, but maintaining an active lifestyle can promote endorphin production.
- Oxytocin:
  - Definition: Known as the "love hormone," associated with social bonding, love, and joy.
  - Natural Regulation: Engage in social activities, physical touch, and bonding with loved ones.
  - Supplemental Regulation: There isn't a widely recognized supplement for oxytocin, but maintaining healthy social relationships can promote oxytocin production.
#Trust
- #Oxytocin:
  - Definition: A hormone and neurotransmitter that may be involved in the formation of trust between people and social bonding.
  - Natural Regulation: Engaging in social activities, physical touch, and bonding with loved ones can promote oxytocin production.
  - Supplemental Regulation: There isn't a direct supplement for oxytocin, but nurturing social relationships can promote its production.
#Disgust
- Serotonin (5-HT):
  - Definition: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness. However, it's also related to disgust, especially in the context of the digestive system. In some theories, central serotonin (5-HT) is related to disgust or punishment134.
  - Natural Regulation: Maintaining a balanced diet rich in tryptophan (e.g., eggs, milk, cheese, soybeans, tofu, and turkey), regular exercise, and exposure to sunlight can help regulate serotonin levels.
  - Supplemental Regulation: While there isn't a direct supplement for serotonin, supplements like 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan), which is a precursor to serotonin, may help increase serotonin levels. It's crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before considering any serotonin-related supplement due to potential side effects and interactions with other medications.
#Contempt
#Anticipation
- Dopamine:
  - Definition: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in reward-motivated behavior. It's believed to be involved in anticipation, particularly in the context of expecting rewards1.
  - Natural Regulation: Engaging in rewarding or enjoyable activities, exercise, and maintaining a balanced diet can help regulate dopamine levels.
  - Supplemental Regulation: Supplements like L-Tyrosine, which is a precursor to dopamine, may support dopamine production. Always consult with a healthcare provider before considering any supplement to ensure it's safe and appropriate for your individual health circumstances.
- Brain Activity:
  - There's a particular wave of brain activity linked to anticipation, as captured in some studies. This suggests that the brain's neural circuitry plays a crucial role in the experience of anticipation, possibly involving various neurotransmitters and hormones2.

Feelings?

verbal / congnitive term for the emotional state

Love
- Balance:
  - Love is a state of being - solution - it's a stock variable -
    - find out neuromodulators that help you fill your cup with love - love yourself so you can
    - give love to others (romantic and otherwise)
- #ComplexityWeekend
- Mysticism
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8KxzyR4V7c
- Science
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMRph_BvHB4&t=18s
Fear
- an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.\
- Balance:
  - Fear about the future - increase knowledge/skill to overcome it / anxious of the past that you aren't willing to take the next step.
  - The solution is to stay in the present and take the immediate next step with as much confidence as possible....past is over and future is uncertain so there's no point in worrying about these.
- Mysticism
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFWBaBdH2qw
- Science
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31wjVhCcI5Y&t=3270s
Anger
- a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.
- Mysticism
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAsJvKsd2Xk
- Science
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPoYX5FPtak
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4mHJ2deEpQ
Sadness
- the condition or quality of being sad.
- Sadness is typically characterized by raised inner eyebrows, lowered corners of the mouth, reduced walking speed, and slumped posture.
- Ancient subcortical circuitry provides a neuroanatomical foundation, extending from dorsal periaqueductal grey to subgenual anterior cingulate, the latter of which is now a treatment target in disorders of sadness. Electrophysiological studies further emphasize a role for reduced left relative to right frontal asymmetry in sadness, underpinning interest in the transcranial stimulation of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as an antidepressant target. Neuroimaging studies - including meta-analyses - indicate that sadness is associated with reduced cortical activation, which may contribute to reduced parasympathetic inhibitory control over medullary cardioacceleratory circuits. Reduced cardiac control may - in part - contribute to epidemiological reports of reduced life expectancy in affective disorders, effects equivalent to heavy smoking. We suggest that the field may be moving toward a theoretical consensus, in which different models relating to basic emotion theory and psychological constructionism may be considered as complementary, working at different levels of the phylogenetic hierarchy.
- Mysticism
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-3nt92UFZo
- Science
  - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32001274/#:~:text=Neuroimaging%20studies%20%2D%20including%20meta%2Danalyses,control%20over%20medullary%20cardioacceleratory%20circuits.
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu1FMCxoEFc
Surprise
- an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, etc.
- Mysticism
- Science
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm0y-SuqvA0
Joy
- a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.
- Mysticism
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQCOYb7TJEo
- Science
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXCDrjDfX04
    - The five constituent and attributes of well being:

Resilience - to recover from adversity
Outlook (positive outlook)
Self awareness
Attention - a wondering mind is an unhappy mind.

Generosity and Altruism

 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_tHPwj8dls

Thoughts?

Cognizance of the biases of the lenses through which we see the world. This can get a bit woo-hoo / pseudo sciene but Marvin Minsky's works such as "The Emotion Machine", "The Society of mind" and Hector J. Levesque's "Thinking as Computation" have given us pointers as to how to quantify thoughts.

An experiment on such representation of thoughts is explored in setting up an offline installation of TheInternetOfValue's Protocol Stack in Bangalore, India.

More on this here: https://theinternetofvalue.xyz/walkthrough

Habits?

This is the first step in action. The Holygrail of human experience is action. Forming the right habits to optimise for all the wellbeing nodes.

Performance?

Optimizing for financial wellbeing by being congnisant of the other 5 well-being nodes and use the ultradian rhythms effectively.

Why is this important?

The Chinese state has come up with a social credit system whose algorithm is opaque and is being implemented with an iron fist. Most governments across the globe are embarking on such missions, even the most progressive "democracies". Our vision is to create an open-source protocol to measure well-being at an individual level (subjective wellbeing) and use it to replace the other opaque scoring system, credit scores. This will become a base for community banking empowering communities to start lending to individuals knowing the risk involved!

FAQ

Well-being score will replace Credit Score? Are you F*cking Kidding me?

yes. We understand the cynicism and the task head. You can either join us and shape the way your wellbeing is measured or you can watch your state give you a rating and you would have no say in it. Except for voting once a year for some dumb politician to make that decision on your behalf. You can read more about this over here: https://mirror.xyz/0xed95C841068a9feF0CE2D7F527829A231626447D/fpwjNSWk7LOVj-QwN7ofbRrYxHsC2HGpLLPPLh9d9vM

Who are you folks to create this system?

We are part of TheInternetOfValue (http://theinternetofvalue.xyz/) - a non-profit research foundation that creates open-source protocols with data ownership and progressive decentralization as its key tenets

Isn't this a herculean task?

yes, but someone has to do it, right?

How can I get involved?

You can join our complex problem solving / mental model to mathematical model creation community to work on this protocol

Has this been implemented yet?

The community managers within CommunityVentureStudio (https://communityventurestudio.xyz/) have been trying these on themselves and we have seen a quantifiable improvement in their wellbeing.

Will this lead to a HumanStock Market?

It can. Where people can invest in other people by looking at the wellbeing score as it gives the complete risk profile right from physiology to performance. You can read more about it here: https://mirror.xyz/0xed95C841068a9feF0CE2D7F527829A231626447D/moDqkwxr6hBSY6h4bCRZmysPrEw7g2cv_L67TNSJ4B4

Wanna get Involved?

or Got any questions? Don't hesitate to reach out.