Dopamine Explained: Myths and Facts About Addiction.
You’ve probably heard of dopamine as a “pleasure chemical” tied to addiction, but there’s more myth than fact in that idea. While dopamine plays a role in addiction, it’s a bit more complex than just causing pleasure. Here’s a clearer picture of how dopamine actually works.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/dopamine-addiction
You’ve probably heard of dopamine as a “pleasure chemical” tied to addiction, but there’s more myth than fact in that idea. While dopamine plays a role in addiction, it’s a bit more complex than just causing pleasure. Here’s a clearer picture of how dopamine actually works.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/dopamine-addiction
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LifestyleTranscript
00:00Welcome back sun bro, we hope you all in great health and great money.
00:04Before we start, please at least subscribe so we can have little money for food and paying
00:08bills.
00:09Alright, today we are going to talk about, Dopamine Explained, Myths and Facts about
00:15Addiction.
00:16You've probably heard of dopamine as a pleasure chemical tied to addiction, but there's more
00:19myth than fact in that idea.
00:21While dopamine plays a role in addiction, it's a bit more complex than just causing
00:24pleasure.
00:25Here's a clearer picture of how dopamine actually works.
00:281.
00:29Myth, you can be addicted to dopamine.
00:31People often think those with addictions are addicted to dopamine itself.
00:34When you do something enjoyable, like using drugs, your brain releases dopamine, creating
00:39a strong memory of that pleasure.
00:41This memory can drive you to repeat the experience, but the addiction is to the activity or substance,
00:45not the dopamine.
00:462.
00:47Fact, dopamine is a motivator.
00:49Dopamine motivates us by making pleasurable experiences memorable.
00:53When something makes you feel good, your brain releases dopamine, noting what triggered the
00:56sensation and any environmental cues.
00:59This drives you to seek out that pleasure again, which can be powerful and hard to control.
01:033.
01:04Myth, dopamine is that pleasure chemical.
01:07Dopamine is often called that pleasure chemical, but it doesn't directly create pleasure.
01:10Instead, it reinforces enjoyable sensations and behaviors, encouraging you to repeat them.
01:16Neurotransmitters like serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin are more directly linked to feelings
01:20of pleasure.
01:214.
01:22Fact, dopamine plays a role in developing tolerance.
01:25With drugs, tolerance means needing more of the substance to feel the same effects.
01:30Consistent drug use overwhelms the reward center, making it harder for your brain to
01:33handle high dopamine levels, leading to increased use to achieve the same effect.
01:375.
01:38There's no single cause of addiction.
01:40Addiction is a complex disorder with many factors.
01:43Genetics, health history, and developmental stage all play a role.
01:47Environmental factors, like home life, social influences, and trouble at school, also contribute.
01:53Addiction involves reduction in the brain's dopamine production and receptors, reducing
01:56the substance's effects but not the craving and thus require higher dose of the drugs.
02:006.
02:01How to get help, if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available.
02:06Talk to your health care provider or reach out to organizations like the National Institute
02:10on Drug Abuse or SAMHSA for resources and support.
02:14Medical care and therapy are key components of addiction treatment.
02:16Thanks for watching, Sunbro.
02:18Please subscribe, like, comment, and share if you find this helpful.
02:23Come again to our next meeting Sunbro.