I read an interesting blog post/ about drug addiction the other day. (I have some sort of sick obsession about heroin addiction and sick habit of romanticizing it. So I read blogs about addiction pretty often.)
It discusses an NPR segment about a book called The Compass of Pleasure, in which the author states "the scientific definition of addiction is actually rooted in the brain’s inability to experience pleasure". He explains that “In order to get to that same set point of pleasure that others would get to easily — maybe with two drinks at the bar and a laugh with friends —(an addict/alcoholic) . . . needs six drinks at the bar to get the same thing.” Basically, your dopamine receptors are busted.
I have never heard addiction referred to in this way before and found it to be an interesting perspective. What do you guys think? Are we attracted to drugs more than others simply because we need more of a stimulus than others to feel pleasure?
I know that when others seem to be having a great time, no matter the activity/drug/etc that I feel nowhere near the same. People often ask me "What's wrong? , Why are you so grumpy? , Aren't you ever happy? etc. I'm not grumpy or anything, I just don't show it or feel it like they do. It's not like I can't feel happy or have fun, I just don't get to that same level they do.
My DOC makes me feel amazing (as do most drugs for most people). Happiness I never knew was possible before getting into drugs. The past few days I've been on opiates and there apparently is a noticeable difference before and after they affect me. (Even though I think pills have a more subtle effect than shooting up.) My family (unaware that I use any drugs) commented that I seemed happier and friendlier. I know drugs are going to affect me like that anyway because they take you to an extreme you can't experience on your own. But why cant I be happier and friendlier (like others) without them? I swear I could win the lottery and wouldn't have more than a slight grin on my face.
Just musing and thinking aloud really... The blog post really got me thinking though. I find the psychological and sociological aspects of the brain to be quite fascinating.
It discusses an NPR segment about a book called The Compass of Pleasure, in which the author states "the scientific definition of addiction is actually rooted in the brain’s inability to experience pleasure". He explains that “In order to get to that same set point of pleasure that others would get to easily — maybe with two drinks at the bar and a laugh with friends —(an addict/alcoholic) . . . needs six drinks at the bar to get the same thing.” Basically, your dopamine receptors are busted.
I have never heard addiction referred to in this way before and found it to be an interesting perspective. What do you guys think? Are we attracted to drugs more than others simply because we need more of a stimulus than others to feel pleasure?
I know that when others seem to be having a great time, no matter the activity/drug/etc that I feel nowhere near the same. People often ask me "What's wrong? , Why are you so grumpy? , Aren't you ever happy? etc. I'm not grumpy or anything, I just don't show it or feel it like they do. It's not like I can't feel happy or have fun, I just don't get to that same level they do.
My DOC makes me feel amazing (as do most drugs for most people). Happiness I never knew was possible before getting into drugs. The past few days I've been on opiates and there apparently is a noticeable difference before and after they affect me. (Even though I think pills have a more subtle effect than shooting up.) My family (unaware that I use any drugs) commented that I seemed happier and friendlier. I know drugs are going to affect me like that anyway because they take you to an extreme you can't experience on your own. But why cant I be happier and friendlier (like others) without them? I swear I could win the lottery and wouldn't have more than a slight grin on my face.
Just musing and thinking aloud really... The blog post really got me thinking though. I find the psychological and sociological aspects of the brain to be quite fascinating.
