happiness is a chemical reaction.
and i think it can be created when one experiences freedom.
which means that it must be

1. experienced, not just owned
2. a release from something

following which we might also say that it

3. does not imply that the release must be permanent
4. lasts as long as the experience of it

marriages could be a model for continuous release and return to restriction, with the couple reinforcing each other about their experiences of release.

"joy" as some religions like to differentiate from "happiness", could be a mental strategy that allows one to experience the freedom beyond the duration of a physical event. rituals and anniversaries help to keep experiences fresh. "hope" - could be a mental strategy that causes one to continuously experience a freedom by postponing its realization indefinitely into the future. In this case while the freedom itself may not be real, but the experience of it can be.

which means that religion could be a viable technology to create happiness without energy consumption. but religion, when institutionalized, is responsible for its own energy costs.

isn't there a way we can continuously experience freedom without all the tricks?