Is happiness real? Does it actually even exist?

I don't know how to answer this question from anyone's perspective but mine. Have you ever read the story of the Buddha? In the four noble truths, he said that suffering os caused by desire. Think about it. We all suffer because we desire things. Then, in the second noble truth he stated that suffering can stop when you stop desiring things and let go of your attachments. I personally believe in this. If you give up things you will be happy. But I don't give up anything because a part of being human is desiring things and wanting things and suffering. We learn from how we suffer. We grow. Happiness exists, but you have to sacrifice to reach it. Either you work towards it or let fate play ita own hand. Who knows? Maybe things will fall into place and you will become happy without having to give anything up.

The Functional Neuroanatomy of Pleasure and Happiness

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC300835...

A neuropsychological approach to happiness

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/10/...

Are you asking this in regards to finding the perfect mate?

Either way happiness does exist- it is fleeting and conditional but it exists.

Yes, happiness is just another word for contentment..

Many people are happy because they are content.

Yes. Yes.

yes, experientially. the thing is, it's like your breath, if you try to hold it, you won't have it.

certainly it does