Psychology student reveals life hack to trick your brain into being happy

A psychology student has shared a nifty technique for “tricking” your brain into feeling happy.

TikToker Maccrae M. Walraven posted a video of himself testing out the theory which was recommended by one of his university professors during an online class.

The hack consists of putting a pen in your mouth and holding it between your teeth – while making “darn” sure it doesn’t touch your lips – and then raising your eyebrows.

The resulting facial expression will send “signals to your brain that you are happy,” apparently.

Ending his recorded tutorial, the professor said: “And if you’re ever in a down mood, do this for 30 seconds and watch a video of penguins falling on the ice.”

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The clip has racked up more than 9.5 million views, 2.4 million likes, and 12,000 comments from people who had tried the method out for themselves.

Some said they felt the direct benefits, while others just felt cheered up by watching Walraven grinning manically to a pengiun vid.

One TikToker said: “Ngl I kinda feel better now.”

“Literally it works,” wrote another.

A third replied: “It worked for me watching you do this.”

While a fourth added: Okay but watching someone else do it is even better.”

Still, it didn’t work for everyone.

“Hi bestie! I tried this and then had a panic attack,” one commented.

Another added: “I’m trying so hard it’s not working.”

“Yeah it doesn’t work,” a third person commented.

Walraven said he still felt depressed despite the technique, but the response to his vid had perked him up

Walraven was also flooded with viewers asking whether the hack worked for him,

He responded in another video saying it worked “a little bit” but that he was “still depressed” and “still sad.”

However, he added, all the “love” he had received since posting the video had certainly made him feel better, so it all worked out in the end.