The concepts of happiness and pleasure are two central pillars in understanding the human experience. Although they may seem to overlap, psychological and biological studies clearly distinguish between these two states.<br />Pleasure is defined as a sensory or emotional response to an external stimulus that results in a temporary feeling of enjoyment. Pleasure is often associated with immediate activities such as eating, shopping, or entertainment. It depends on the direct stimulation of specific brain areas, especially the reward system, which includes the nucleus accumbens and the release of dopamine. This system acts as a short-term motivator, leading to the repetition of behaviors to regain the same feeling, potentially creating a cycle of habituation or even addiction.<br />On the other hand, happiness is a deeper and more sustainable emotional state that stems from a sense of contentment with oneself and life. Research in positive psychology, particularly the work of Martin Seligman, suggests that happiness is built on three elements: pleasure, engagement, and meaning. Biologically, happiness is linked to more balanced levels of serotonin and oxytocin, and it is reflected in more stable brain patterns, especially in the left prefrontal cortex.<br />Researchers agree that pursuing pleasure alone does not necessarily lead to long-term happiness and may, in fact, result in feelings of emptiness or numbness. In contrast, practicing values, building relationships, and achieving personal goals significantly enhance a sense of sustainable happiness.<br />Therefore, it is recommended to consciously distinguish between temporary pleasure and lasting happiness and strive for a balance between them to ensure better psychological and cognitive well-being.<br /><br />Al-Mustaqbal University the first university of Iraq .