England supporters could experience euphoria for several months without the assistance of drugs

Jun 28 2006

England supporters could experience boundless euphoria for several months without the assistance of drugs if England wins the world cup, but is this state sustainable, asks Professor Keith Kendrick.

In The biology of future happiness: lifestyle changes or recreational drugs? which Professor Kendrick, Gresham Professor of Physic will deliver at Gresham College on Thursday 29 June at 1pm, he will consider what makes people happy and what individuals can do to help themselves.

He will reveal evidence from twin studies which suggests that 70-80% of what determines a happy personality is down to genes and the other 20-30% is based on individual life experience.

Professor Kendrick will consider the "drug me happy" scenario which aims to provide "magic bullets" to improve love lives, satisfy appetites for food, drink and sex, without consequences, and supply endless levels of happiness on demand, much like the "soma" drug in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World.

"Is it realistic to expect "magic-bullet drugs" to free us of stress, anxiety and depression, provide us with a fantastic memory and keep us free from age or degenerative conditions that rob us of key mental faculties", he asks.

He will conclude by suggesting that even the most sophisticated drug or gene therapies will not make individuals immune to their difficulties in life; positive self help, intervention from mental health practitioners if needed and a change of attitude to a "glass half-full rather than half-empty", could all be beneficial.

"Of course, if England does win the world cup, there will indeed be boundless national euphoria in this country for several months without the assistance of drugs (other than perhaps alcohol)", he comments. "However, the problem is the majority of nations have to lose in such competitions and they will experience more negative feelings instead. Perhaps someone needs to find a game where everyone wins but does not expect to. Quite a challenge, but probably far easier than finding an effective soma drug!"