Is it possible to be addicted to Dopamine?

Addiction is a complex phenomenon that affects millions of people around the world and of which in recent years there has been greater awareness and knowledge. Often, addiction is exclusively associated with substances such as drugs and alcohol, but some people ask if it is possible to generate addiction to compounds generated by our own body, as is the case of neurotransmitters or hormones.

Addiction is defined as a dependency or compulsion toward a specific substance, activity, or behavior that has a negative impact on a person's life. In the brain, addictions are closely related to the reward system, which is largely mediated by a neurotransmitter: dopamine. The reward system is the one that generates the sensation of pleasure and well-being that we experience when doing rewarding activities.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter with a central role in this reward system, since dopamine is released when experiencing these rewarding sensations. This reinforces the connection between the experience and the feeling of reward, encouraging us to repeat this behavior and thus generating the addictions themselves.

In this article we are going to delve into the possibility of generating an addiction to the dopamine that we generate when experiencing pleasure and gratification, or if, as dopamine forms part of the addictive processes themselves, it is unfeasible to be addicted to it.

• Related article: "Neuropsychology: what is it and what is its object of study?"

How does dopamine work in addictions?

As we have commented, dopamine is a neurotransmitter with a fundamental role in the reward system that, like all neurotransmitters, is a chemical signal that transmits messages between nerve cells and facilitates communication in various regions and areas of the brain.

When experiencing something pleasant or rewarding, such as enjoying a delicious meal or receiving a compliment, dopamine is released in the brain. and the reward system is activated. The reward system is a network of interconnected brain areas that, as a result of learning by receiving the gratification of the dopamine, establishes those behaviors that bring us back to that state, making it look for its repetition and thus generating the behaviors addictive.

Dopamine in these processes, in addition to giving pleasure and reinforcing behaviors associated with obtaining rewards, creates a sense of motivation and positive reinforcement, which encourages repeating the behaviors that make us feel good. The reward system is designed to seek survival and well-being.

The release of dopamine motivates us to seek nutritious foods, form satisfying social relationships, and achieve goals that are important to us. However, when this system is exploited by addictive substances, such as drugs, a massive release of dopamine can be caused, generating a sensation of intense pleasure that alters the natural balance of the system.

• You may be interested in: "The 14 most important types of addictions"

Is it possible to be addicted to dopamine?

The question about whether it is possible to generate an addiction exclusively to dopamine has generated debates and controversies in the field of neuroscience and clinical psychology. Some argue that dopamine itself can be addictive, as it is the trigger for these pleasurable sensations that reinforce behaviors associated with obtaining rewards. However, others maintain that addiction involves much more complex and generalized processes to different aspects of daily life and is not limited exclusively to dopamine.

Addiction is usually established and generalized when, through the consumption of addictive substances or search for behaviors related to the secretion of dopamine, our levels of dopamine and the brain networks of the reward system are strengthened.

Therefore, in view of the advances in the scientific literature and research, although it is still a subject under investigation and it is possible that future advances give more determination to the answer to this question, in principle we could conclude that there is no addiction to dopamine, but to what produces its segregation. When we look for dopamine in healthy behaviors like a fulfilling relationship or watching a good movie, its effect on the reward system is not as large or unbalanced as that caused by toxic substances or behaviors addictive. When people talk about dopamine addiction, they are really referring to what caused it; not dopamine itself.

Myths and realities

It is important to demystify beliefs associated with addictions and the action of dopamine in our body. Next, we are going to comment on two myths associated with addictions and the secretion of dopamine:

1. Myth: Addiction is solely dependent on dopamine

Fact: Addictions are not limited to a single neurotransmitter. In addition to dopamine, other neurotransmitters such as serotonin and glutamate are also involved and influence addictive processes. These neurotransmitters interact in complex and contribute to the addictive effects of substances and behaviors.

2. Myth: Addiction is just a chemical imbalance in the brain

Reality: It is important to be aware that addictions are not exclusively a neurochemical issue. Psychological factors, such as emotional vulnerability, stress, and dysfunctional thought patterns, also play a role in addiction. social factors, like the environment and the influences of other people, also influence the development and maintenance of an addiction.

Addiction Is More Than The Dopamine Effect

As a conclusion, we remember: dopamine does not generate addiction; It generates addiction that releases dopamine in extreme amounts and unbalances our brain networks in relation to the reward system. Talking about addictions is talking about something more complex and multifactorial, having to take into account many factors of a person's life, psychology and environment.

Bibliographic references