You’ve got it wrong.
Dopamine isn’t doing what you think.
Read this article for free with this link. Enjoy.
Screens, screens, screens.
Researchers suggests people get addicted to social media and games because of dopamine. The visual interaction triggers the release of that powerful chemical when you get likes and new followers. On the surface, Medium offers much of the same reward structure.
Addiction occurs when dopamine production slows or ceases in-between neuron activation via the device or program in question. The need to refill their depleted dopamine tank then draws the person further and further in.
It’s like, if you had a button that gave you dopamine when you pressed it, you would click it all day long. Don’t feel bad. No one is strong enough to resist an opportunity like that.
This is the secret behind pay-to-win (p2w) gaming. The company that owns the IP is hoping that their game can offer you enough dopamine on the initial interaction that you chase it all the way into the cash shop when the feel starts to fade.
Losing doesn’t feel good, so stop in and buy an advantage so you can feel better about yourself.
It’s honestly predatory. Micro transactions, cash shops. A scourge upon the gaming industry.
But here is the catch. Dopamine is only addictive because people are missing a crucial factor in their daily lives. Happiness. That’s right. Fun releases dopamine, happiness does not. Serotonin is one of the chemicals that creates a lasting feeling of happiness. Endorphins also belong in this group. Curious to learn more about endorphins? Check out this post.
The biggest pitfall is when people mistake the temporary high of a dopamine “hit” for happiness. Dopamine is fleeting, so people crave it. That is why you would be endlessly pressing the button.
The massive serotonin deficit created by chasing dopamine all day is the leading factor in the depression epidemic that we are facing. Nearly 30% of Americans have a depression during their lives. 18% state they have it right now. Most of them are between the ages of 18 and 34.
Depression doesn’t have to be permanent. There is a way out. Read my advice post if you are struggling to start your journey to a healthier mental state.
The average person spends all day chasing fake chemical happiness on social media or games. Wherever they can find it, really. None of it leads to true happiness. It just makes you more isolated and miserable.
Those who are stuck in the 9–5 grind, living paycheck to paycheck, barely able to pay bills, and they certainly don’t have disposable income. These are the individuals who are the targets of so many companies with malicious intent.
So how do you increase serotonin production, sustain it, and get a real long lasting happiness?
- Exercise.
This one seems obvious, but not nearly enough people do it. Physical activity plays an important role in regulating many important chemicals for the body. No judgement, I was guilty of this until just recently. The results after just five days of going to the gym have been remarkable, and I just had to share the results. If you want genuine happiness, then find the time to get moving. I promise, once you get up and get going, you will be so glad you finally did.
2. Go outside.
Yup. Another obvious one. And what are you probably doing when you go outside? That’s right, exercising. If you are very sedentary, which most of us are, then going for a walk for 30 minutes a day, while the sun is up of course, will pay dividends for your mental health. 42% of adults in the U.S suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Go get some sun!
3. Check your food choices.
This one is not so obvious to most, but a good diet is just as important for sustainable happiness as exercise and sunshine are. Our body releases serotonin when it breaks down the protein tryptophan. Yes, the stuff makes us sleepy when we eat too much turkey. Wait, don’t leave just yet. There are foods that contain this important protein in smaller amounts. Make sure your diet contains these: nuts, eggs, cheese, red meat, salmon, tofu and pineapple. Those are all delicious foods, right? Easy to do.
++ Side note: I realize that much of this is societal.
The same people that chase dopamine with shallow interactions because they aren’t happy with their jobs and financial situations are the same people who say they don’t have time to exercise and don’t eat well because of stress. It’s just what we are just stuck in right now as Americans.
It used to be “rise and shine”, but it lost its luster. That’s why we “rise and grind” now. Grind your soul to dust and work until you die. Maybe if you ignore everything, even your own health, you can make enough money to get a taste of “happy” one day.
So now you know what dopamine really does. Did you have it wrong?
You also have all the information you need to build sustainable and genuine happy feelings in your life. Are you ready to start?
