The ‘glow’ of getting something for free can last up to a week, poll claims

The poll found 60 per cent of adults think the best things in life are free, including a country walk, a good night’s sleep and a sunny morning

Receiving something for free can cause a spike in dopamine (Getty Images)

Unsurprisingly, nine in 10 Brits love a good freebie and two-thirds reckon it provides a boost to their mental health.

More than one in 20 adults claim they get a buzz from a free product seven days down the line, while a quarter said the feelings of satisfaction last for a few days.

Commenting on the study carried out by Vision Direct, psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos explained how receiving something for free can release hormones like dopamine.

She said: “The amazing feeling when we receive something free gives a spike of dopamine, one of four hormones that make us feel happy.

"Dopamine is released by the brain when you learn stuff, and is instrumental in habit formation.

“If you’re playing basketball and make a shot, you feel great because dopamine tells your body you did the right thing and should remember it for next time.

“However, dopamine can be problematic – we also get it when we eat, drink, or play video games – all habits that are enjoyable, but when taken to excess not necessarily healthy."

The poll of 2,000 adults found six in 10 feel the best things in life are free – citing a walk in the countryside, a good night’s sleep and waking up to sunshine as the things which impress the most.

And surprisingly others even claim ‘getting a freebie’ is better than ‘receiving a gift.’

While 31 per cent of adults said feeling healthy and fit are among the best ‘free’ things in life – although a resounding seven in 10 admitted to taking their good health for granted, with eye care, general mobility and a healthy heart most accepted without question.

Karen Foster, research manager at Vision Direct said: “What these numbers show us is that people see healthcare as a boring administrative task.

“We feel it is our duty to relate to customers better, and in turn, changing the way they see their eye health."

However, for 28 per cent of adults polled via OnePoll, it gives them extra justification for the thing they wanted to buy in the first place.

Dr Linda agreed that savvy brands rely on ‘connection’ with shoppers and use free goodies to make them feel like a friend.

She added: “At the basis of it, humans are creatures of reciprocity – we believe in karma and the just world hypothesis – basically, that everything evens itself out in the end.

“That reciprocity is at the core of how humans make sense of the world, and therefore with brands that tap into it.”

It also emerged that Brits are most likely to enjoy a freebie in the world of food, such as a free dessert at the end of a meal.

Other popular areas to try and get something for nothing include beauty products and services (33 per cent) clothing (32 per cent), homewares (24 per cent) and health products (17 per cent).

SWNS