Even the ‘love hormone,’ oxytocin, secretes feelings of trust and closeness, especially during moments of social bonding. The next is dopamine, a neurotransmitter eon of evolution old and connected to pleasure and reward, which kicks in during enjoyable group activities, giving us a sense of contentment and joy. These chemical reactions highlight the very real, biological benefits of being a part of a group — showing our brains are biologically designed to seek and enjoy social connections.