Dopamine this, dopamine that..
Everybody seems to be an expert but nobody talks about it in depth
Here's a breakdown of how dopamine, behavior & addiction really work ๐งต
(don't read if you're not trying to break a habit)
Everybody seems to be an expert but nobody talks about it in depth
Here's a breakdown of how dopamine, behavior & addiction really work ๐งต
(don't read if you're not trying to break a habit)
You have a hard time breaking a habit because repeated use imparts chemical and structural changes in your brain.
There is no arguing this, it is a documented medical fact
But how exactly does this happen?
And how do you use this knowledge?
I will simplify & explain,
Read on
There is no arguing this, it is a documented medical fact
But how exactly does this happen?
And how do you use this knowledge?
I will simplify & explain,
Read on
Look at the image below,
This is a simple image of transmission of neurotransmitters (like dopamine) in a synapse (brain communication junction)
Presynaptic - sending
Postsynaptic - receiving
This is more than enough to understand dopamine addictions,
Let me explain..
This is a simple image of transmission of neurotransmitters (like dopamine) in a synapse (brain communication junction)
Presynaptic - sending
Postsynaptic - receiving
This is more than enough to understand dopamine addictions,
Let me explain..
There are 2 ways your drug of choice impacts this delicate mechanism :
1) Release excess Dopamine (DA)
2) Block reception of dopamine at receptor site
Why is this important?
Because this is the primary cause for all pathological addiction & cravings
More on this,
1) Release excess Dopamine (DA)
2) Block reception of dopamine at receptor site
Why is this important?
Because this is the primary cause for all pathological addiction & cravings
There are 2 ways dopamine fires in your brain,
1) Tonic firing : Steady state dopamine that circulates in your brain at all times & determines your baseline
2) Phasic firing : Burst firing from excitatory or anticipatory stimulus. (this is what happens when you get high)
So..
1) Tonic firing : Steady state dopamine that circulates in your brain at all times & determines your baseline
2) Phasic firing : Burst firing from excitatory or anticipatory stimulus. (this is what happens when you get high)
So..
Are these independent?
No, both are inter-related and have to maintain a balance at all times for your regular functioning.
Now lets make this easy to understand..
When you get high and there's a burst fire..
in response, your steady state (tonic) dopamine also rises..
Now
No, both are inter-related and have to maintain a balance at all times for your regular functioning.
Now lets make this easy to understand..
When you get high and there's a burst fire..
in response, your steady state (tonic) dopamine also rises..
Now
Your steady state (baseline) rises.. BUT
Only for a short duration.
Remember how both burst and steady state have to maintain balance?
So how does your brain respond?
It blocks off receptors on the receiving end.
You're left with excess dopamine & blocked receptors.
Only for a short duration.
Remember how both burst and steady state have to maintain balance?
So how does your brain respond?
It blocks off receptors on the receiving end.
You're left with excess dopamine & blocked receptors.
So if there's too much dopamine & no receptors to re-uptake..
What happens now?
It all gets accumulated in the gap between your synapses (synaptic cleft)
Now here's something interesting..
What happens now?
It all gets accumulated in the gap between your synapses (synaptic cleft)
Now here's something interesting..
There is a carrier protein
Dopamine transporter protein (DAT) that clears out this excess dopamine & prevents accumulation.
BUT - this in an energy intensive process.
Does this make sense to you?
This is why most people with addictions have mental fatigue.
Dopamine transporter protein (DAT) that clears out this excess dopamine & prevents accumulation.
BUT - this in an energy intensive process.
Does this make sense to you?
This is why most people with addictions have mental fatigue.
Your brain is constantly overworked, with these high energy requirement processes,
You have no motivation for anything due to incentive sensitization
You constantly crave more of the drug to increase baseline from burst firing..
CIRCLE REPEATS OVER AND OVER
You have no motivation for anything due to incentive sensitization
You constantly crave more of the drug to increase baseline from burst firing..
CIRCLE REPEATS OVER AND OVER
So now what?
Once the phasic bursts die down,
Your steady state declines rapidly.
You are now more deficient than when you began.
Phasic - tonic homeostasis is disrupted & addiction - craving cycle begins
Once the phasic bursts die down,
Your steady state declines rapidly.
You are now more deficient than when you began.
Phasic - tonic homeostasis is disrupted & addiction - craving cycle begins
This means continuous drug use does not lower your basal dopamine levels..
Instead, it destroys the balance between these inter-connected systems
.
.
.
Making you more prone to relapse & predictable pleasure seeking behavior.
Instead, it destroys the balance between these inter-connected systems
.
.
.
Making you more prone to relapse & predictable pleasure seeking behavior.
Is this irreversible?
No, it can be reversed to a large extent.
But it's not a linear process.
You need to bring homeostasis to your DA circuitry & you will need to re-uptake dopamine receptors again
This needs time, effort & patience.
How much time?
No, it can be reversed to a large extent.
But it's not a linear process.
You need to bring homeostasis to your DA circuitry & you will need to re-uptake dopamine receptors again
This needs time, effort & patience.
How much time?
Depends on your individual case, genetics & environment
By itself - by maintaining abstinence..
Maybe 6 - 12 months. (regular cases)
However, you can speed up this recovery time with some focused effort..
This can cut down healing time drastically.
What effort?
By itself - by maintaining abstinence..
Maybe 6 - 12 months. (regular cases)
However, you can speed up this recovery time with some focused effort..
This can cut down healing time drastically.
What effort?
Maintain abstinence to cut off a majority of burst fire (phasic dopamine spikes)
This gives your reward circuitry time to rest & heal
Lifestyle changes to accelerate rewiring and attaining near baseline levels again
This gives your reward circuitry time to rest & heal
Lifestyle changes to accelerate rewiring and attaining near baseline levels again
I do not need to explain what lifestyle changes..
Its obvious, exercise, sleep, nutrition, reducing inflammation, reduce stress, meditate, pray, sunlight, outdoors the whole package
Abstinence & redirection done right will set this right
Its obvious, exercise, sleep, nutrition, reducing inflammation, reduce stress, meditate, pray, sunlight, outdoors the whole package
Abstinence & redirection done right will set this right
Now is this all there is to it?
Not at all.
The subject is so complex and inter-connected that a lifetime of learning is insufficient.
However, this is more than enough for you to understand & get started on fixing these issues.
Get to work.
Not at all.
The subject is so complex and inter-connected that a lifetime of learning is insufficient.
However, this is more than enough for you to understand & get started on fixing these issues.
Get to work.
FYI,
I run a transformation coaching program where I coach clients on
< Build / break habits
< Brain chemistry healing
< Reversing effects of compulsive habits
< lifestyle optimization
< Sustainable life transformation
Guaranteed results
Apply here - projectphalanx.co
I run a transformation coaching program where I coach clients on
< Build / break habits
< Brain chemistry healing
< Reversing effects of compulsive habits
< lifestyle optimization
< Sustainable life transformation
Guaranteed results
Apply here - projectphalanx.co
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