Dopamine And Addiction: Facts Versus Myths

You may have heard about dopamine, a "pleasure chemical" associated with addiction. Dopamine rush is a term used to describe the surge of happiness that occurs when a person makes a purchase or finds a $20 note on the floor.

Some of the things you have heard are more myths than facts. Experts continue to study how dopamine works as a neurotransmitter in addiction. Many people believe that it trains the brain to seek out pleasant experiences and avoid unpleasant ones.

Dopamine's role in enhancing your brain's desire for pleasure is what has led many people to link it with addiction. It's not as simple as that. Dopamine plays a part in addiction, but this role is complex and not completely understood. Learn more about the myths surrounding dopamine and addiction.

Myth: Dopamine addiction is possible.

It's a common misconception that those who are addicted are more likely to be addicted to dopamine than to drugs or other activities.

Dopamine is released by your brain when you experience an enjoyable experience, such as using drugs. This release makes your brain focus more on the experience. Experience will remain vivid in your memory for many years to come.

You may want to relive this memory by taking drugs or seeking certain experiences. The drug or activity that caused this behavior is still at the root of the problem.

Fact: Dopamine is an important motivator.

Although dopamine may not be the only cause of addiction, its motivational qualities are believed to play a part in addiction. Dopamine is released by the reward center of your brain in response to pleasant experiences. This part of the brain is closely related to motivation and memory.

Remember that the process does not always involve substances or activities harmful to your health. The reward center of your brain can respond to a variety of things, including eating good food, sex, and creating art.

Myth: Dopamine is a 'pleasure chemical'

Dopamine can be referred to as a "pleasure chemical" by people who mistakenly believe that it is responsible for feelings such as euphoria and pleasure. Dopamine is part of your pleasure experience. Experts believe that it has little to do with creating pleasant feelings.

It reinforces positive feelings and behaviors by tying them to a desire for more. This connection is a key factor in addiction.

The following neurotransmitters can cause feelings of pleasure and euphoria:

• serotonin
• endorphins
• oxytocin

Fact: Dopamine is involved in the development of tolerance.

Tolerance is the point where you no longer feel the same effects from a drug as you did before, even though you are consuming the exact same amount. You will need more to experience the same effects if you become tolerant of a substance. Dopamine is involved in this process.

Overstimulation of the reward center is a result of drug abuse. Its pathways are overwhelmed, and it is unable to cope with the high levels of dopamine released.

The brain attempts to solve this problem by two different methods:

• Dopamine production is reduced.
• reducing dopamine receptors

The brain's reward center will respond less strongly to either change, resulting in a substance that has fewer effects.

The desire to use the drug remains. The craving for the drug is only satisfied by taking more.

There is no single cause for addiction.

Addiction is not a simple brain disorder with a single cause. Dopamine is a part of the puzzle, but only a small one. Experts say that a variety of biological and environmental factors can increase an individual's addiction risk.

These biological factors include

• Genetic factors. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), approximately 40–60 percent of addiction risks are attributed to genetic factors.
• Health history. A history of mental illness or certain medical conditions can increase your risk.
• Stage of development. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), using drugs as a teenager can increase your chances of becoming addicted later in life.

Environmental factors that are particularly important for children and adolescents include:

• Home life. Risk increases when living with or around people who abuse drugs.
• Social influence: Friends who use drugs may make you more likely to try them and possibly develop an addiction.
• Challenges in school. Social or academic problems can increase the risk of taking drugs and developing an addiction.

Addiction can be caused by many different factors. Remember that these factors do not guarantee an addiction.

How to Get Help

Help is available if you or someone close to you is struggling with addiction. Reaching out is the first step to getting help. Talk to your doctor about treatment for addiction or request a referral.

There are many organizations that can assist you without you having to visit your primary care provider. Consider the following:

• The National Institute on Drug Abuse (Trusted Source) provides resources to help you decide whether you are ready to get help.
• The Substance Addiction and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) provides a locator for treatment services and telephone numbers for national helplines.

Addiction treatment is often a medical procedure, especially when drug abuse affects your health or you need to safely detox. Talk therapy is an important component of any addiction treatment.

Therapy is usually the first treatment for behavioral addictions such as compulsive gaming and excessive shopping.

The Bottom Line HTML

Dopamine is just one of many factors that can lead to addiction. Contrary to popular opinion, dopamine is not addictive. It does, however, play a role in your motivation to seek out positive experiences.

Dopamine also contributes to tolerance. This means that you need to consume more substances or engage in an activity to get the same effect as you did at first.

Credit: thewebhealth.com & drugsdiscussion.com