INFLUENCE WITH HORMONES
MASTER INFLUENCE BY UNDESRTANDING HUMAN HORMONES; FOR BUSINESS, POLITICS & RELATIONSHIPS
By SocialStack (Angie, Hario Seto)
CHAPTER INDEX
INTRO
Humans are hormonal creatures. Chemistry shapes decisions first, then logic explains them.
A practical, ethical influence framework: understand core hormones, combine them in sequence, and apply them in business, relationships, and politics with ready-to-use scripts and templates.
HORMONES OF INFLUENCE
WHAT THIS IS
Influence works by guiding attention, desire, trust, identity, and ease.
These map strongly to dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, cortisol, and endorphins.
Use this to increase outcomes without reducing freedom.
THE CORE HORMONES OF INFLUENCE
CHAPTER 1
DOPAMINE
CHAPTER 1.ADOPAMINE FUEL
WHAT IT REALLY IS
Dopamine is motivation fuel.
Not happiness.
More like wanting, anticipation, craving, curiosity, progress, reward prediction.
People with high dopamine aren’t always happy. They are driven.
DOPAMINE PUSH
WHAT IT MAKES PEOPLE DO
Dopamine pushes people to buy things that promise a better future, take action when progress feels easy and visible, chase novelty, and respond strongly to “new, fast, improved.”
DOPAMINE RESPONDS
WHAT IT RESPONDS TO (TRIGGERS)
Triggers:
(1) Clear reward: “Get X result”.
(2) Fast outcome: “In 5 minutes…”.
(3) Progress visibility: “You’re 30% done”.
(4) Novelty: “A new method”.
(5) Variable reward: “Could be big”
DOPAMINE INFLUENCE
POSITIVE & NEGATIVE
USE IT TO START :
Sell progress, not fantasy.
Provide small wins early.
Reduce friction to start.
Make improvement measurable.
USE IT TO STOP :
addiction loops,
infinite notifications,
fake scarcity,
gambling mechanics.
DOPAMINE
SUMMARY
Dopamine is the system that makes people move. It spikes when a reward feels close, clear, and achievable.
Give a visible goal, a quick first win, and a progress signal, and people act.
Without dopamine, they stay stuck, delay, and choose comfort over effort.
SEROTONIN
CHAPTER 1.BSEROTONIN FUEL
WHAT IT REALLY IS
Serotonin is status stability and self-respect.
Tied to confidence, pride, identity, “I matter”, social ranking, and competence.
SEROTONIN PUSH
WHAT IT MAKES PEOPLE DO
Serotonin pushes people to buy premium, stay loyal to quality, seek respect and recognition, and protect identity and reputation.
SEROTONIN RESPONDS
WHAT IT RESPONDS TO (TRIGGERS)
Triggers:
(1) Recognition: “You’re ahead of most people”.
(2) Competence proof: certificate, ranking, mastery milestones.
(3) Belonging to elite: “Top operators use…”.
(4) Long-term reputation: “Be known as someone who…”.
SEROTONIN INFLUENCE
POSITIVE & NEGATIVE
USE IT TO TRIGGER :
Help people become genuinely better.
Frame purchase as identity alignment.
Make excellence visible.
USE IT TO STOP:
Shames others
Insecurity marketing
“you’re nothing without this”.
SEROTONIN
SUMMARY
Serotonin drives commitment, protects identity, pride, and status.
People pay more and stay loyal when the choice signals “I have standards”, “I’m competent.”
Build serotonin by proving quality, giving recognition, showing mastery progress, and making the upgrade feel earned, not impulsive.
OXYTOCIN
CHAPTER 1.COXYTOCIN FUEL
WHAT IT REALLY IS
Oxytocin is trust and bonding.
Tied to safety, loyalty, empathy, human warmth, and “I can trust you.”
OXYTOCIN PUSH
WHAT IT MAKES PEOPLE DO
Oxytocin makes people follow leaders, stay in communities, forgive mistakes (sometimes too much), and buy from relationships, not features.
OXYTOCIN RESPONDS
WHAT IT RESPONDS TO (TRIGGERS)
Triggers:
(1) Authenticity: real story, real voice.
(2) Consistency: predictable delivery and values.
(3) Shared identity: “We are the same type of people”.
(4) Warm social proof: detailed testimonials.
(5) Care + protection: “I’m here with you”.
OXYTOCIN INFLUENCE
POSITIVE & NEGATIVE
USE IT TO START :
build relationships slowly,
communicate clearly,
overdeliver early.
USE IT TO STOP :
Cult-like dependency,
emotional blackmail
“only we understand you”.
OXYTOCIN
SUMMARY
Oxytocin drives loyalty, it creates safety, trust, and emotional bonding.
When people feel understood, protected, and consistently cared for, they stay even when better options exist.
Build oxytocin through reliability, honesty, shared identity, and calm support. Retention is emotional before
CORTISOL
CHAPTER 1.DCORTISOL FUEL
WHAT IT REALLY IS
Cortisol is threat attention and survival energy.
It rises with uncertainty, risk, urgency, danger, and potential loss.
CORTISOL PUSH
WHAT IT MAKES PEOPLE DO
Cortisol makes people act fast, seek certainty, choose protection over exploration, and accept authority if it reduces fear.
CORTISOL RESPONDS
WHAT IT RESPONDS TO (TRIGGERS)
Triggers:
(1) Loss framing: “You might lose…”.
(2) Urgency: “This will get worse”.
(3) Uncertainty: “You don’t know what will happen”.
(4) Threat narrative: “This is coming for you”.
CORTISOL INFLUENCE
POSITIVE & NEGATIVE
USE IT TO START :
Truth-based urgency only.
Show risk, then offer a calm solution. Be “alarm + blueprint”, not panic.
USE IT TO STOP :
Fear-mongering.
Paranoia marketing.
Endless crisis addiction.
CORTISOL
SUMMARY
Cortisol is the fastest way to capture attention and create urgency.
It sharpens focus by signaling risk, deadlines, and consequences.
Used briefly, it mobilizes action.
Used constantly, it creates fear, erodes trust, increases stress, and trains people to react instead of think.
ENDORPHINS
CHAPTER 1.CENDORPHINS FUEL
WHAT IT REALLY IS
Endorphins are pain relief and comfort reward.
Tied to laughter, relaxation, soothing, and “ahhh, finally…”.
ENDORPHINS PUSH
WHAT IT MAKES PEOPLE DO
Endorphins make people choose the easiest path, buy convenience, stay with enjoyable brands, and repeat what feels good.
ENDORPHINS RESPONDS
WHAT IT RESPONDS TO (TRIGGERS)
Triggers:
(1) Relief messaging: “No more struggle”.
(2) Humor: “This is fun”.
(3) Sensory satisfaction: design, sound, packaging.
(4) Friction removal: “Done for you”.
ENDORPHINS INFLUENCE
POSITIVE & NEGATIVE
USE IT TO START :
Create ease.
Reduce complexity.
Make experiences delightful.
USE IT TO STOP:
Pure escapism addiction.
“ignore your problems, buy this”.
ENDORPHINS
SUMMARY
Endorphins are the best driver of repeat usage and comfort buying.
They reduce friction, pain, and stress, making experiences feel easy, familiar, and safe.
When people feel relief and comfort, they return by habit, not persuasion, choosing what feels good again.
THE COMBINATION SYSTEM
CHAPTER 2COMBINATION SYSTEM
WHY COMBOS MATTER
Real influence happens when you combine hormones in sequence.
Single-hormone influence is weaker and unstable.
The strongest systems mix desire, trust, identity, urgency, and ease.
COMBO 1: DOPAMINE + SEROTONIN
ASPIRATION PREMIUM
“I want it” + “It upgrades who I am.”
Formula for premium aspiration brands.
Examples:
luxury fitness, elite education, high-performance tools.
Use when you want to utilize ambition + identity.
COMBO 2: DOPAMINE + OXYTOCIN
FAST TRUST CONVERSION
“I want it” + “I trust you.”
Fastest trust conversion combo.
Examples:
creators selling courses, SaaS onboarding, coaches.
Use when you want action without resistance.
COMBO 3: CORTISOL + OXYTOCIN
SAFETY IN CHAOS
“I’m worried” + “You’ll keep me safe.”
Foundation of leadership in chaos.
Examples:
crisis leaders, healthcare, cybersecurity, parental products.
Use when people fear uncertainty and want guidance.
COMBO 4: CORTISOL + DOPAMINE
SURVIVAL HUSTLE
“I might lose” + “Here’s how to win fast.”
Used in job skills, make money offers, urgent transformation programs.
Use carefully:
can work explosively, but burns trust if exaggerated.
COMBO 5: OXYTOCIN + SEROTONIN
COMMUNITIES THAT STICK
“I belong” + “I’m respected here.”
Creates strong communities people don’t leave.
Examples:
premium memberships, professional guilds, brand tribes.
Use when retention and loyalty matter most.
COMBO 6: ENDORPHINS + OXYTOCIN
COMFORT BRANDS
“This feels good” + “I feel safe here.”
Creates emotional comfort brands.
Examples:
lifestyle subscription, wellness, cozy communities.
Use when you want long-term stickiness.
THE PRACTICAL INFLUENCE FRAMEWORK
CHAPTER 3THE 5-STEP INFLUENCE SEQUENCE
USE ANYWHERE
Influence follows a biological order, not a motivational one.
Humans do not decide first.
They react first.
The sequence is fixed:
1. Attention (Cortisol or Dopamine)
2. Desire (Dopamine)
3. Trust (Oxytocin)
4. Identity (Serotonin)
5. Ease (Endorphins)
This pattern works everywhere
STEP 1 : ATTENTION (CORTISOL OR DOPAMINE)
STEP 1
No attention, no influence.
Attention is triggered either by threat/urgency (cortisol) or novelty/opportunity (dopamine).
Cortisol answers: “What’s at risk?”
Dopamine answers: “What’s possible?”
You only need attention briefly. Staying here too long causes fatigue or fear.
STEP 2 : DESIRE (DOPAMINE)
STEP 2
Once attention is captured, dopamine creates forward motion.
Desire is not greed. It is anticipation of progress, reward, or relief.
People move when they see:
A clear next step
A visible win
A better future state
Without dopamine, people understand—but don’t act.
STEP 3 : TRUST (OXYTOCIN)
STEP 3
Desire without trust collapses.
Oxytocin lowers defenses and answers: “Is this safe?”
Trust comes from:
Consistency
Fairness
Being heard
Protection during stress
Without oxytocin, people hesitate, delay, or quietly disengage.
STEP 4 : IDENTITY (SEROTONIN)
STEP 4
Serotonin locks commitment.
It answers: “What does this say about me?”
This is where:
Premium decisions happen
Long-term commitment forms
Pride and self-respect appear
People stay loyal to what reinforces their identity and dignity.
STEP 5 : EASE (ENDORPHINS)
STEP 5
Endorphins remove friction.
They answer: “Does this feel easy and comfortable?”
Endorphins create:
Repeat usage
Habit
Comfort buying
If something feels stressful or painful, people eventually stop—even if they trust and value it.
WHY THIS FRAMEWORK WORKS
THE CORE RULE
People don’t resist influence.
They resist biological imbalance.
When the sequence is respected, influence feels natural, ethical, and sustainable.
When it’s violated, people feel manipulated—even if the message is correct.
IF YOU MISS ONE
WHAT BREAKS
No dopamine → no action.
No serotonin → no commitment.
No oxytocin → no trust &loyalty.
No cortisol → no sense of urgency
Too much cortisol → backlash.
No endorphins → friction kills conversion.
HORMONES INFLUENCE IN BUSINESS
CHAPTER 4MARKETING INFLUENCE
MARKETING HORMONE FLOW
Marketing job:
manage hormone flow.
1) Hook attention:
mild cortisol
(“you’re wasting time”)
or dopamine
(“you can win faster”).
2) Build desire: dopamine.
3) Build trust: oxytocin.
4) Create identity: serotonin.
5) Reduce friction: endorphins.
DOPAMINE-FIRST HOOK LINES 1
MARKETING CASE 1
Use when you sell growth, money, speed, results, skill.
“Get your first result in 10 minutes.”
This hits dopamine by promising a fast win and instant progress.
“Turn 3 hours of work into 30 minutes.”
This hits dopamine by showing efficiency, saving time, and a clear upgrade.
DOPAMINE-FIRST HOOK LINES 2
MARKETING CASE 2
“Your next client-ready output, today.”
Hits dopamine by promising a near-term reward: something usable,
deliverable, and monetizable now. It creates urgency without pressure, and makes “progress” feel concrete.
“Stop guessing. Start improving daily.”
Hits dopamine by turning effort into
BEFORE → AFTER TRICKS
MARKETING CASE 3
“Before: random effort.
After: a weekly system.”
This triggers dopamine: predictability and compounding wins.
“Before: stuck editing. After: publish in 60 minutes.”
Dopamine: clear finish line and fast reward.
BEFORE → AFTER TRICKS 2
MARKETING CASE 4
Before: messy process.
After: repeatable workflow.
This triggers dopamine because it promises control and predictable progress.
Less chaos means less mental load, and “repeatable” signals faster wins each time.
MICRO-WIN PROMISES
MARKETING CASE 5
“In first session, you’ll build a working version.”
Dopamine: immediate progress.
“Today you’ll get a clean template you can reuse forever.”
Dopamine: instant asset plus long-term leverage.
“Start with one step. Results compound.”
Dopamine: simple entry point, then momentum.
SEROTONIN-FIRST POSITIONING 1
MARKETING CASE 6
For sell high-ticket, reputation, mastery, luxury.
Positioning:
“This isn’t for beginners. It’s for operators.”
Serotonin: status signal, identity upgrade, seriousness.
“Build like a professional, not a hobbyist.”
Serotonin: mastery framing, pride, respect.
SEROTONIN-FIRST POSITIONING 2
MARKETING CASE 7
“The difference is standards.”
Serotonin: signals high status, discipline, and professional identity. It frames success as self-respect and quality, not hacks.
“You don’t need more motivation. You need a higher level.”
Serotonin: upgrades identity and rank.
PREMIUM CTAS
MARKETING CASE 8
“Upgrade your process.”
“Join the serious tier.”
“Get the pro-grade framework.”
Hormone touched: Serotonin (status, mastery, standards).
STATUS-SAFE LANGUAGE
MARKETING CASE 9
“Most people want hacks. Professionals build systems.”
“Anyone can start. Few can stay consistent.”
Hormone touched: Serotonin (identity, standards, mastery) + Dopamine (challenge and progress drive).
OXYTOCIN-FIRST TRUST LINES
MARKETING CASE 10
Use to sell community, subscription, coaching, services.
Trust lines:
“No pressure. Here’s exactly how it works.”
“If this doesn’t fit you, don’t buy it.”
“We’ll show you the method first. Then you decide.”
Hormone: Oxytocin (safety, trust) + Cortisol reduced (less risk, less pressure).
OXYTOCIN-FIRST TRUST LINES 2
MARKETING CASE 11
More trust lines:
“Real examples. Real numbers. Real process.”
“You’ll never be left confused.”
Hormone touched: Oxytocin (trust, clarity) + Cortisol reduced (uncertainty drops).
FOUNDER-STORY SCRIPTS
MARKETING CASE 12
“I built this because I was tired of wasting time on tools that looked smart but didn’t help.”
This hits cortisol (stress from wasted time) and dopamine (craving a real win).
“This came from doing the work every week, not theory.”
This hits dopamine (progress reward) and sero
WARM SOCIAL PROOF
MARKETING CASE 13
Warm social proof:
“Used by busy founders who don’t have time for complexity.”
“People like you use it to reduce stress and ship consistently.”
Hormone touched:
Oxytocin (trust, belonging, safety) + Serotonin (status via “founders”).
CORTISOL-FIRST URGENCY LINES
MARKETING CASE 14
Use when you sell prevention, survival, critical timing (carefully, truthfully).
Truth-based urgency:
“If you don’t build distribution now, growth becomes expensive later.”
“The market punishes slow execution.”
Hormone touched: Cortisol (risk, urgency) + Dopamine (action drive to fix it).
CORTISOL-FIRST URGENCY LINES 2
MARKETING CASE 15
More urgency:
“If you can’t explain your offer clearly, competitors will take your customers.”
“Time doesn’t kill ideas. Delay kills them.”
Hormone touched: Cortisol (threat, urgency) + Dopamine (push to act now).
LOSS FRAMING + CALM SOLUTION
MARKETING CASE 16
Loss framing :
“Every week without a system costs you output.”
“You’re paying with time, not money.”
Crisis + calm solution:
“Yes, it’s chaotic. That’s why you need a simple playbook.”
Hormone: Cortisol (loss, tension) + Oxytocin (calm reassurance) + Dopamine (relief through action).
ENDORPHINS-FIRST RELIEF HOOKS
MARKETING CASE 17
Use to sell tools, templates, convenience.
Relief hooks:
“No more blank page stress.”
“No more complicated setup.”
“You don’t need discipline, just a smoother system.”
“Feels like cheating. It’s just clarity.”
Hormone: Cortisol reduced (stress drops) + Dopamine (wins) + Endorphin (relief).
FRICTION-KILLER CTAS
MARKETING CASE 18
“Start with the simplest version.”
“Use the ready-made template.”
“One click. One output.”
Hormone: Dopamine (instant progress) + Cortisol reduced (lower effort, less overwhelm).
SALES INFLUENCE
CORE PRINCIPLE
People do not buy logically first.
They buy emotionally, then justify logically.
A high-conversion flow:
Clarify pain (cortisol).
Show path (dopamine).
Credibility (oxytocin + serotonin).
Low-risk (oxytocin + endorphins).
Commitment (serotonin).
OXYTOCIN SALES OPENER
SALES SCRIPTS 1
Openers:
“I’ll keep this simple. Tell me your goal and your biggest bottleneck.”
“If we’re not a fit, I’ll tell you fast.”
“No pitch yet. I want to understand what you’re trying to solve.”
Hormone: Oxytocin (safety, trust) + Cortisol reduced (less pressure) + Serotonin (leadership confidence).
CORTISOL PROBLEM FRAMING
SALES SCRIPTS 2
Problem framing:
“What happens if nothing changes for the next 3 mths?”
“What’s the cost of staying with your current process?”
“Where does the delay come from: clarity, execution, or consistency?”
Hormone: Cortisol (aware risk) + Dopamine (motivation) + Serotonin (control through diagnosis).
DOPAMINE DESIRE PAYOFF
SALES SCRIPTS 3
Desire:
“If we fix this bottleneck, what becomes possible?”
“What would ‘fast and consistent output’ look like weekly?”
“Imagine this solved by next month. What’s different?”
Hormone: Dopamine (future reward, momentum) + Endorphins (relief/hope) + Serotonin (confidence from a clear vision).
OXYTOCIN OBJECTION HANDLING
SALES SCRIPTS 4 | CASE : PRICE
Price objection:
“Totally fair. Is it budget problem or value clarity problem?”
“If it paid for itself in 30 days, would you do it?”
“Would you prefer a lighter version to start ?”
Hormone: Oxytocin (respect, no shame) + Serotonin (control & choice) + Cortisol reduced (less threat).
OXYTOCIN OBJECTION HANDLING
SALES SCRIPTS 5 | CASE : TIME & TRUST
Time objection:
“You don’t need more time, just less friction.”
“This saves time by removing decision fatigue.”
Trust objection:
“Here are 3 outcomes we guarantee you will get in a week.”
Hormone: Oxytocin (certainty, trust) + Cortisol reduced (less overwhelm) + Dopamine (clear miles).
SEROTONIN SALES CLOSING
SALES SCRIPTS 6
Closing:
“Want to do this properly and move fast?”
“If you’re serious, let’s lock the next step.”
“Simple plan: we start small, prove results, then scale.”
Hormone: Serotonin (commitment, seriousness) + Dopamine (forward momentum) + Oxytocin (safety via small start).
REGULATE HORMONES AT SCALE
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE 1
Leadership = hormone regulation at scale.
If team lacks motivation: dopamine (milestones, visible progress, fast wins).
Lacks confidence: serotonin (recognize wins, mastery growth, professional pride).
Lacks trust: oxytocin (consistency, fairness, transparency).
URGENCY + BURNOUT
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE 2
If team too relaxed or slow: light cortisol (deadlines, urgency framing, truth-based consequences).
If team burnt out: endorphins (simplify workflows, reduce noise, shorten meetings, relief + rest).
Hormone: Cortisol (activate focus) + Endorphins (restore relief) + Dopamine (rebuild momentum).
CLARITY = CORTISOL CONTROL
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE 3
Confusion creates anxiety. Anxiety kills output.
Give one priority, one owner, one deadline.
Short briefs, fewer meetings, written decisions.
Hormone: Cortisol reduced + Dopamine (clear next step) + Serotonin (control)
TRUST IS A SYSTEM
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE 4
Trust is built by predictable behavior, not speeches.
Do what you said. Same rules for everyone. Repair fast.
Publicly protect people, privately correct them.
Hormone: Oxytocin + Serotonin + Cortisol reduced
RECOGNITION THAT BUILDS PRIDE
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE 5
Praise outcomes and standards, not personality.
“Great clarity.” “Clean execution.” “Strong ownership.”
Make wins visible so competence becomes culture.
Hormone: Serotonin + Dopamine
MOMENTUM DESIGN
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE 6
Break work into weekly wins that ship.
Visible progress beats long invisible projects.
One deliverable per week, demo Friday, reset Monday.
Hormone: Dopamine + Endorphins
PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE 7
People perform when they can speak without punishment.
Clear feedback rules: criticize the work, not the person.
Reward truth early, fix issues before they explode.
Hormone: Oxytocin + Cortisol reduced
CONFLICT REPAIR PROTOCOL
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE 8
Conflict is cortisol. Repair restores output.
Use: “I hear you.” “Here’s the real issue.” “Next step.”
No blame loops. No public arguments.
Hormone: Oxytocin + Endorphins + Cortisol reduced
BOUNDARIES WITHOUT DRAMA
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE 9
Standards protect the team. Calm delivery keeps trust.
“No shouting.” “No last-minute scope changes.” “We decide once.”
Boundaries reduce chaos and raise quality.
Hormone: Serotonin + Oxytocin
CHANGE MANAGEMENT THAT DOESN’T BREAK PEOPLE
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE 10
Change creates cortisol. Safety keeps people engaged.
Explain why, show the plan, protect workload, measure progress.
Small pilots first. Scale only after proof.
Hormone: Oxytocin + Dopamine + Cortisol reduced
RETENTION, HABIT, ADDICTION-FREE
PRODUCT DESIGN INFLUENCE 1
Dopamine without manipulation:
progress bar with real milestones;
streak only if it encourages healthy consistency;
immediate “first success” onboarding.
RETENTION, HABIT, ADDICTION-FREE
PRODUCT DESIGN INFLUENCE 2
Example onboarding:
Step 1 pick your goal;
Step 2 use one template;
Step 3 generate first output;
Step 4 save it;
Step 5 repeat tomorrow.
Hormone touched: Dopamine (earned progress) + Oxytocin (safe guidance) + Cortisol reduced (less overwhelm).
OXYTOCIN RETENTION
PRODUCT DESIGN INFLUENCE 3
humans feel safe when the product talks clearly.
Use clear error messages and support that sounds human.
Support sample:
“You’re not doing it wrong. This step confuses many people. Here’s the simplest fix.”
SEROTONIN RETENTION
PRODUCT DESIGN INFLUENCE 4
Serotonin retention:
give a level-up moment that feels earned, not hype.
“You’ve built a system.”
“You’re now operating weekly.”
“You’ve shipped 10 times.”
Add a badge, timeline, and “what’s next” prompt so progress feels like status and mastery.
DEALS, PARTNERSHIPS
NEGOTIATION INFLUENCE 1
Anchor with serotonin (status + professionalism):
“We keep our standards high because our reputation matters.”
“This is how we protect outcomes for both sides.”
Use oxytocin to lower defense:
“I want this to be fair and sustainable.”
“Let’s align on what success looks like.”
WIN-WIN UPSIDE
NEGOTIATION INFLUENCE 2
Use dopamine (win-win):
“If we structure it this way, both sides grow faster.”
“This reduces friction and speeds results.”
Clear scope, clear steps, clear timeline. Less back-and-forth, more output. You move with confidence, we execute with focus, and results show up sooner.
HORMONES INFLUENCE IN RELATIONSHIPS
CHAPTER 5LAW OF ATTRACTION
FROM HORMONAL POV
Attraction builds from dopamine (excitement, novelty), serotonin (status, confidence), oxytocin (safety, bonding).
What fails:
Exciting but unsafe =
High dopamine but no oxytocin.
Safe but boring =
High oxytocin but no dopamine.
Confident but arrogant =
High serotonin without warmth.
LOVE IS A SIGNAL SYSTEM
NOT JUST FEELING
Daily signals decide the direction: safety, respect, effort, repair.
If the system is healthy, feelings follow.
Hormone touched: Dopamine + Oxytocin + Serotonin
THE 3-LAYER STACK
THESE LAYERS COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER
Attraction (dopamine) gets attention.
Respect (serotonin) keeps dignity.
Safety (oxytocin) keeps closeness.
If one is missing, the relationship becomes unstable:
Respect without safety feels cold.
Safety without respect feels weak.
You need both to stay close without losing yourself.
ATTRACTION & INTEREST
DOPAMINE LINES (SPARK)
Dopamine lines:
“I like your mind. It’s rare.”
“You’re different. In a good way.”
“I feel energized talking to you.”
“I want to hear the story behind that.”
Hormone touched: Dopamine (novelty, excitement) + Serotonin (status through admiration).
ATTRACTION & INTEREST
SEROTONIN LINES (RESPECT)
Serotonin lines:
“I respect how you handle things.”
“You have standards. That’s attractive.”
“You’re reliable. Not many people are.”
Hormone touched: Serotonin (respect, status) + Oxytocin (security through reliability).
ATTRACTION & INTEREST
OXYTOCIN LINES (SAFETY) + BALANCE
Oxytocin lines:
“No pressure. I enjoy your company.”
“Be honest with me,
“I’m not here to judge you.”
Bad patterns:
dopamine only → exciting but unstable;
Oxytocin only → safe but can feel flat.
Balance = spark + safety.
Oxytocin (safety) + Cortisol reduced (less defense) + Dopamine
WHAT “SAFE” LOOKS LIKE
SAFE MEANS: PREDICTABLE, HONEST, AND KIND UNDER PRESSURE.
No punishment for truth.
No guessing games.
Clear words, calm tone, and follow-through.
When your partner can speak freely without fear, trust grows fast.
The nervous system relaxes, conflict drops, and closeness becomes natural.
Hormone touched: Oxytocin, Cortisol reduced
TRUST & STABILITY
OXYTOCIN DOMINATES
Trust is earned by predictable behavior, not words.
Build it with consistency, emotional reliability, and clear communication.
Do what you said you’ll do. Show up the same under stress. Protect, don’t embarrass.
Care is proven in small moments: patience, honesty, and follow-through.
TRUST FORMULA
TRUST = CONSISTENCY + TRANSPARENCY + REPAIR.
Not perfection.
When you mess up, repair fast and clearly, then change behavior.
A real repair is: admit, validate, fix, and don’t repeat.
That consistency turns mistakes into proof you can be trusted.
That’s what builds real security.
Hormone touched: Oxytocin + Serotonin
RESPECT WITHOUT COLDNESS
BE CONFIDENT WITHOUT SOUNDING SUPERIOR.
High standards, warm delivery.
Say: “Here’s what you need to take care more.”
Not: “You fail in this situation.”
Ask for behavior, without blaming.
Strong boundaries with a calm tone protect dignity and keep closeness.
Hormone: Serotonin + Oxytocin
THE “ARROGANCE” TRAP
STATUS WITHOUT WARMTH FEELS UNSAFE.
If you lead, lead with care:
“I’m certain about the plan, and I’m listening to you.”
Confidence without empathy feels controlling. Empathy without direction feels unstable.
Combine: clear steps + real listening. Loyalty follows.
Hormone touched: Serotonin + Oxytocin.
COMMUNICATION BASICS
SAY THE FEELING, THE NEED, AND THE ASK.
“I felt dismissed.”
“I need clarity.”
“Can we agree on one decision and a time?”
Clear structure lowers drama.
Hormone touched: Oxytocin, Cortisol reduced
CONFLICT & ARGUMENTS
CORTISOL MANAGEMENT
Conflict is cortisol.
Solution:
oxytocin + endorphins
(calm tone, empathy, reduce threat, provide safety).
If you “win the argument” using cortisol dominance only, you lose oxytocin. Winning the point can cost the bond.
Aim to repair, not dominate.
WHAT CONFLICT NEEDS
MOST CONFLICT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, NOT A LOGIC PROBLEM.
When people feel unsafe, they defend, attack, or withdraw.
Build safety first, then solve the issue.
Lower the threat with calm tone, validation, and clear intent.
Once the nervous system relaxes, logic comes back and solutions become possible.
Hormone touched: Oxytocin, Cortisol reduced
DE-ESCALATION SCRIPTS
OXYTOCIN + ENDORPHINS
Scripts:
“I’m not your enemy.”
“We’re on the same team.”
“Let’s slow down. I want to understand.”
“I care more about us than being right.”
“Let’s take a break and come back in 20 minutes.”
Hormone touched: Oxytocin (reconnection) + Cortisol reduced (de-escalation) + Endorphins (relief).
REPAIR SCRIPTS
AFTER CONFLICT
Repair:
“I hear you. I missed your point earlier.”
“You’re right to feel that way.”
“Here’s what I’ll do differently.”
Hormone touched: Oxytocin (reconnection, trust) + Endorphins (relief) + Cortisol reduced (threat drops).
BOUNDARY SCRIPTS
SEROTONIN + CALM
Boundaries:
“I won’t continue if we disrespect each other.”
“We can talk, but not with shouting.”
“Let’s solve it properly.”
Hormone touched:
Serotonin (self-respect, standards) + Oxytocin (safe container) + Cortisol reduced (less chaos).
SCRIPT 1: CALM + SECURE (OXYTOCIN-FIRST)
PARTNER SUPPORT 1
“I want you to feel safe with what I’m building.”
“Here’s the plan. Here’s the risk. Here’s how we protect us.”
“If you’re uncomfortable, we adjust. I won’t gamble our stability.”
Hormone touched: Oxytocin (safety, trust) + Serotonin (protective leadership) + Cortisol reduced (risk contained).
SCRIPT 2: MOTIVATION + DIRECTION (DOPAMINE)
PARTNER SUPPORT 2
“If we do this consistently for 90 days, our life level changes.”
“Not fantasy. Measurable progress.”
Hormone touched: Dopamine (future reward, momentum) + Serotonin (status through discipline) + Oxytocin (security through reliability).
SCRIPT 3: PRIDE + IDENTITY (SEROTONIN)
PARTNER SUPPORT 3
“I want to be someone you can be proud of.”
“Not just dreams. Execution.”
Hormone touched: Serotonin (pride, status, respect) + Oxytocin (bonding, commitment) + Dopamine (drive to achieve).
SCRIPT 4: REDUCE FEAR (CORTISOL → OXYTOCIN)
PARTNER SUPPORT 4
“Yes, there’s uncertainty. That’s why we’re doing it step-by-step.”
Hormone touched: Oxytocin (reassurance, safety) + Cortisol reduced (uncertainty contained) + Dopamine (progress through steps).
CHANGE PARTNER'S HABIT 1
PRACTICAL SEQUENCE
Don’t attack identity (kills serotonin).
“You’re capable. Let’s make it easy.”
Not: “You’re lazy.”
Endorphins:
“Let’s do the smallest version.”
“Just 10 minutes. No perfection.”
Hormone: Serotonin protected (dignity) + Endorphins (relief) + Cortisol reduced (less threat) + Dopamine(win).
CHANGE PARTNER'S HABIT 2
PROGRESS + SUPPORT
Dopamine:
“Let’s track wins.”
“Consistency beats intensity.”
Oxytocin:
“I’m doing it with you.”
“If you slip, we restart. No shame.”
Hormone: Dopamine (progress + momentum) + Oxytocin (support) + Cortisol reduced (no shame spiral) + Serotonin (identity protected through consistency)
BOUNDARIES ARE LOVE
BOUNDARIES PROTECT THE RELATIONSHIP FROM RESENTMENT.
They are not threats.
“I can’t do that.”
“I can do this instead.”
Healthy limits create long-term peace.
Hormone touched: Serotonin + Oxytocin
INCREASING INTIMACY 1
OXYTOCIN LINES
Oxytocin intimacy lines:
“I feel safe with you.”
“I love how you understand me.”
“I want more time with you.”
“You matter to me more than work.”
Hormone touched: Oxytocin (bonding, safety) + Endorphins (warmth, comfort) + Cortisol reduced (less threat).
INCREASING INTIMACY 2
DOPAMINE LINES
Dopamine intimacy lines:
“Let’s do something new this week.”
“Let’s create our own ritual.”
“Let’s travel somewhere simple but different.”
Hormone touched: Dopamine (novelty, spark).
INCREASING INTIMACY 3
ENDORPHIN LINES
Endorphin intimacy lines:
“No stress tonight. Just comfort.”
“Let’s rest. We’ve been carrying a lot.”
Hormone :Endorphins (relief, comfort) + Oxytocin (closeness) .
KEEP IT ALIVE
LONG-TERM CYCLE
Long-term requires oxytocin (bonding), dopamine (freshness), endorphins (ease and comfort).
You need both comfort and novelty.
Too much comfort becomes flat. Too much novelty becomes unstable.
The goal is a steady base with small fresh moments that keep the bond alive.
WEEKLY RELATIONSHIP RHYTHM
WEEKLY CHECK PREVENTS 80% OF CONFLICT.
What went well?
What hurt?
What do we need next week?
Small repairs compound into stability.
Hormone touched: Oxytocin + Serotonin + Cortisol reduced
HORMONES INFLUENCE IN POLITICS
CHAPTER 6ONE WAY TO EARN IN POLITICS
HOW ATTENTION WORKS
Politics is hormone influence at national scale.
Cortisol dominates attention: threats, enemies, crisis narratives, survival language.
Politics can feel exhausting.
High cortisol keeps people alert, reactive, and tribal.
Leaders who lower fear with clarity and safety can earn longer trus
ONE WAY TO WIN IN POLITICS
WHAT WINS LOYALTY AND LEGITIMACY
Loyalty:
oxytocin dominates (belonging, tribe, protective leader).
Long-term legitimacy:
serotonin dominates (pride, dignity, respect, reputation, competence).
Momentum:
dopamine dominates (hope, progress, change narrative).
THE PROTECTOR
LEADER ARCHETYPES 1
The Protector = Cortisol + Oxytocin.
“You’re under threat. I will protect you.”
Ethical warning: chronic cortisol mobilizes people fast, but over time it harms mental stability, increases distrust, and keeps society reactive instead of rational.
THE BUILDER
LEADER ARCHETYPES 2
The Builder = Dopamine + Serotonin:
“We will grow stronger. We will be respected.”
Dopamine creates hope and forward motion.
Serotonin creates pride, standards, and competence.
Together, it turns “change” into a credible plan: progress you can measure, and a reputation you can defend.
THE HEALER
LEADER ARCHETYPES 3
The Healer = Oxytocin + Endorphins:
“We will calm the chaos and restore peace.”
Oxytocin rebuilds trust and social safety.
Endorphins reduce pain, stress, and emotional fatigue.
Together, it de-escalates conflict, repairs bonds, and helps people feel steady enough to think clearly again.
THE FIGHTER
LEADER ARCHETYPES 4
The Fighter = Cortisol + Serotonin:
“Defeat them to restore honor.”
Cortisol creates urgency, threat focus, and readiness to act.
Serotonin adds pride, hierarchy, and a moral frame of “respect.”
Used carefully, it defends boundaries. Overused, it creates hostility and endless conflict.
THE UNIFIER
LEADER ARCHETYPES 5
The Unifier = Oxytocin + Serotonin
“We are one people. We rise with shared standards.”
Oxytocin builds belonging across groups. Serotonin builds dignity and national pride.
Risk: “unity” can turn exclusionary if it demands silence, punishes dissent, or labels critics as enemies.
THE REFORMER
LEADER ARCHETYPES 6
The Reformer = Dopamine + Oxytocin
“We can change without tearing each other apart.”
Dopamine sells hope and forward progress. Oxytocin lowers fear during transition.
Risk: if results don’t show up, hope collapses into distrust, and people feel emotionally misled.
THE TECHNOCRAT
LEADER ARCHETYPES 7
The Technocrat = Serotonin + Cortisol reduced
“Competence first. We fix systems, not vibes.”
Serotonin signals professionalism and standards. Lower cortisol means calmer governance.
Risk: can feel cold or detached from pain.
THE POPULIST
LEADER ARCHETYPES 8
The Populist = Oxytocin + Cortisol
“I’m with you. They are against you.”
Oxytocin creates tribe and loyalty. Cortisol creates threat focus and urgency.
Risk: powerful mobilization, but long-term it increases anxiety, deepens social division, and keeps society reactive instead of constructive.
THE STABILIZER
LEADER ARCHETYPES 9
The Stabilizer = Oxytocin + Endorphins
“Less drama. More peace. Let people breathe again.”
Oxytocin restores safety and trust. Endorphins signal relief and recovery from stress.
Risk: can underreact to real threats or avoid painful reforms, creating short-term calm but long-term weakness.
THE VISIONARY
LEADER ARCHETYPES 10
The Visionary = Dopamine + Oxytocin + Serotonin
“We’re building a future we can be proud of.”
Dopamine creates momentum, oxytocin keeps cohesion, serotonin adds legitimacy.
Risk: requires real milestones or it collapses.
POLICY OF THE PROTECTOR
PROTECTOR FRAME (CORTISOL + OXYTOCIN)
Structure: Threat → Enemy/problem → Safety → Action.
“Families are under pressure. Prices are rising. I will protect our daily life.”
“People feel unsafe. We will fix it with real enforcement & consequences.”
Hormone: Cortisol (threat) + Oxytocin (protector safety) + Serotonin (authority)
POLICY OF THE BUILDER
BUILDER FRAME (DOPAMINE + SEROTONIN)
“We will build a future where hard work produces dignity again.”
“We will modernize systems so talent wins, not connections.”
“A stronger economy. A respected nation. A proud people.”
Hormone: Dopamine (hope, progress) + Serotonin (dignity, pride, legitimacy) + Oxytocin (shared identity, “we”).
POLICY OF THE HEALER
HEALER FRAME (OXYTOCIN + ENDORPHINS)
“You’re tired of conflict. We will restore trust.”
“We don’t need more anger. We need solutions.”
“You don’t have to hate anyone to love your country.”
Hormone : oxytocin (trust, belonging) + endorphins (relief)
POLICY MESSAGE FROM THE FIGHTER
FIGHTER FRAME (CORTISOL + SEROTONIN)
“Enough is enough. We will not be disrespected.”
“We will fight corruption with real consequences.”
“We will end the games. No more excuses.”
Hormone: cortisol (threat/anger) + serotonin (honor/standards) + dopamine (action drive).
Danger: wins attention fast, but often increases division.
STYLE 1: FEAR → HOPE → ACTION
CAMPAIGN SPEECH 1
“People feel the pressure right now.”
“But we are not powerless.”
“We can rebuild the system step-by-step.”
“And when we do, you will feel proud again.”
“Let’s start today.”
Hormone: dopamine (hope + action) + serotonin (pride) + oxytocin (togetherness) + cortisol acknowledged then reduced.
STYLE 2: UNITY + COMPETENCE
CAMPAIGN SPEECH 2
“You don’t need noise. You need results.”
“We will be clear, consistent, and accountable.”
“Here is the plan, and here is the timeline.”
Hormone touched: serotonin (competence, standards) + oxytocin (trust via clarity) + cortisol reduced (less uncertainty).
STYLE 3: PRIDE RESTORATION
CAMPAIGN SPEECH 3
“We deserve a country that works.”
“We deserve leaders with standards.”
“We deserve dignity.”
Hormone touched: serotonin (dignity, pride, standards) + oxytocin (shared identity) + dopamine (hope for change).
SHORT INFLUENCE LINES
DEBATE 1
Dopamine (future):
“Here’s what we can build next.”
“This is how we grow faster.”
Cortisol (risk):
“If we do nothing, the cost becomes permanent.”
“This problem gets worse with time.”
Hormone touched: dopamine (vision + momentum) + cortisol (urgency) with balance to avoid chronic fear.
HUMAN, RESPECT, RELIEF
DEBATE 2
Oxytocin (human):
“I understand why people are frustrated.”
“Your struggle is real.”
Serotonin (leadership):
“We need higher standards.”
“This country deserves competence.”
Endorphins (relief):
“We can simplify this.”
“We can make daily life easier again.”
WHY FEAR SPREADS FAST
MASS INFLUENCE MECHANICS 1
Fear spreads because cortisol hijacks attention.
A responsible leader does: fear → clarity → relief → plan.
Not: fear → more fear → panic addiction.
Hormone: cortisol acknowledged, then reduced via oxytocin (safety) + endorphins (relief) + dopamine (action path).
TRIBAL IDENTITY AND HOPE
MASS INFLUENCE MECHANICS 2
Tribal identity sticks. Oxytocin locks in group belonging.
Ethical: “We belong together.”
Unethical: “Only we are good, others are enemies.”
Hope wins long-term: dopamine sustains better than fear. Fear mobilizes. Hope builds.
Hormone: oxytocin (tribe) + dopamine (hope) + cortisol (fear).
REAL EXAMPLES IN REAL LIFE
CHAPTER 8
QUICK CHEAT SHEET
BUSINESS
Sell now = dopamine + endorphins.
Premium positioning = serotonin.
Retention/community = oxytocin.
Urgency campaigns = cortisol (light, real).
QUICK CHEAT SHEET
RELATIONSHIPS
Relationships:
Attraction = dopamine + serotonin.
Trust = oxytocin.
Conflict repair = oxytocin + endorphins.
Boundaries = serotonin (calm).
QUICK CHEAT SHEET
POLITICS
Crisis = Cortisol → Oxytocin.
Nation-building = Dopamine + Serotonin.
Polarization healing = Oxytocin + Endorphins.
EXAMPLE IN BUSINESS
SELL A PRODUCTIVITY TOOL
Dopamine: “Finish work faster.”
Cortisol: “You’re losing time every day.”
Oxytocin: “Built by people like you.”
Serotonin: “Operate like a pro.”
Endorphins: “Start in 3 minutes.”
EXAMPLE IN RELATIONSHIPS
PARTNER SUPPORTS YOUR NEW PLAN
Oxytocin: “I value your safety and stability.”
Soft cortisol: “If we don’t change, we stay stuck.”
Dopamine: “This plan gives us momentum.”
Serotonin: “We’ll be proud of what we build.”
Endorphins: “Let’s take the smallest first step.”
EXAMPLE IN POLITICS
JOIN A MOVEMENT
Cortisol: “Things are breaking.” Oxytocin: “You’re not alone.” Dopamine: “We can fix this.” Serotonin: “We’ll regain dignity.” Endorphins: “Here’s the simple action to start.”
FINAL
WHAT WE'VE COVERED
We’ve covered the real engine behind influence: human chemistry.
Not manipulation. Regulation.
Dopamine gives momentum.
Serotonin gives dignity and standards.
Oxytocin gives safety and trust.
Endorphins give relief and resilience.
Cortisol gives urgency, but must stay light and truthful.
THE END
USE THIS POWER WISELY
Use this to build better business, better relationships, and better leadership.
Less chaos. More clarity.
Spark plus safety.
Standards plus warmth.
Pressure only when it’s real.
Your advantage is simple:
lead people out of fear, into trust, into progress.