Is it fair to link dopamine secretion to addiction ?
Dopamine is generally released in our brain when we are happy, satisfied, content, loved and similar positive events happen to us or around us.
Recent reports/ media coverage seem to constantly indicate that whatever item (cigerette, alcohol, drugs, smartphone, incoming messages/emails, social media attention received) makes us happy, or triggers a positive event in our brain, its equivalent to addiction.
Recently, I was listening to some podcast, where a renowned speaker used the analogy of instant messaging. He linked receiving a response to an instant message with additiction, because both trigger dopamine secration in our brain.
Things that make us happy, don't necessarily fall into the category of addiction. addiction is a different beast, needs to be seen as such and handled as such. If we generalize the problem of addition to a simple hormone secretion we are doing a disservice to many a things that simply give us joy and have no link to addiction.
Think of it this way, going to park makes me happy. I tend to go to a park or a green area as much as I can, and every time I am around trees / greenery, it makes me very happy.
Another example, I live a few thousand kilometres away from my immediate family members. Every time I send / receive a message to one of them, I feel joyous, happy, elated (read - secretion of dopamine), does that mean I am addicted to "messaging them" ?
or does this mean that I am addicted to "going to park/greens" ~
I disagree, and would surely not want to be called an addict based on this theory.
Dopamine is generally released in our brain when we are happy, satisfied, content, loved and similar positive events happen to us or around us.
Recent reports/ media coverage seem to constantly indicate that whatever item (cigerette, alcohol, drugs, smartphone, incoming messages/emails, social media attention received) makes us happy, or triggers a positive event in our brain, its equivalent to addiction.
Recently, I was listening to some podcast, where a renowned speaker used the analogy of instant messaging. He linked receiving a response to an instant message with additiction, because both trigger dopamine secration in our brain.
Things that make us happy, don't necessarily fall into the category of addiction. addiction is a different beast, needs to be seen as such and handled as such. If we generalize the problem of addition to a simple hormone secretion we are doing a disservice to many a things that simply give us joy and have no link to addiction.
Think of it this way, going to park makes me happy. I tend to go to a park or a green area as much as I can, and every time I am around trees / greenery, it makes me very happy.
Another example, I live a few thousand kilometres away from my immediate family members. Every time I send / receive a message to one of them, I feel joyous, happy, elated (read - secretion of dopamine), does that mean I am addicted to "messaging them" ?
or does this mean that I am addicted to "going to park/greens" ~
I disagree, and would surely not want to be called an addict based on this theory.
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