Final answer:
Dopamine is the neurotransmitter responsible for regulating the brain's reward and pleasure centers, and its release is associated with activities that provide a feeling of happiness and can lead to addiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The neurotransmitter that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure centers, and is also associated with the pleasurable sensations of eating sugar or receiving texts and emails, is dopamine. Dopamine is involved in a variety of functions including feelings of pleasure, addiction, movement, and motivation. The surge of dopamine released when we engage in enjoyable activities can contribute to a sense of happiness and energy, and in some cases, it can lead to addictive behaviors. This is because people tend to repeat behaviors that lead to dopamine release.
Moreover, dopamine plays a significant role in the mechanism of antidepressants and in understanding the addictive processes exhibited by drug addicts. The hypothalamus region of the brain is responsible for regulating hunger and satiety signals, and dopamine action is implicated in these satiety signals.