22/07/2024
Dopamine provides a short term high, fueling desire and motivation in the lower brain. It inspires taking, is typically experienced alone and makes us want more. Too much leads to addiction.
Serotonin spreads signals of happiness to all regions of the brain. It is non-addictive, bringing long lasting feelings of contentment. It inspires giving and sharing. Serotonin brings a peaceful feeling that all is well, and we have enough. Too little leads to depression.
"If you're confused between happiness and pleasure, you're not alone. After all, we've been conditioned to believe that happiness comes from buying that new thing, satisfying that food craving or being in on the latest trend.
The brain chemical dopamine, associated with reward and motivation, is very different from serotonin, associated with contentment and true happiness.
The language difference between "happiness" and "pleasure" is subtle, but the chemical difference is huge. These chemicals are the reason why our phones can feel addictive.
"If you've been told your entire life that pleasure is happiness, then, you know, you're screwed," Robert Lustig says.
Lustig's an endocrinologist, and author of "The Hacking of the American Mind: The science behind the corporate takeover of our bodies and brains."
He was one of the first to study the effects of refined sugar consumption on kids, and now he's worried that tech could be working on our brains in similar, near-addictive ways. He says tech is not quite like a drug, but it feeds a potentially dangerous system of motivations and rewards in our brain, leaving us craving another hit.
"Technology is a dopamine stimulator," Lustig told Business Insider. "Anything that causes dopamine to rise has, as its end point, addiction."
Text & image source: This is Why our Phones are Making us Miserable: Happiness Isn't the Same Thing as Pleasure, and our Brain Knows It https://www.businessinsider.com/why-our-phones-are-making-us-miserable-pleasure-isnt-happiness-2018-3
See also:
Serotonin vs. Dopamine - 7 Key Differences Between Pleasure and Happiness (Robert Lustig)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3svaOilIis
In 'Dopamine Nation,' Overabundance Keeps Us Craving More (Interview with Dr. Anna Lembke) https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/08/25/1030930259/in-dopamine-nation-overabundance-keeps-u-s-craving-more
Dr. Anna Lembke: "Your behavior will reset 100%" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zd9qvJUr-o&t=399s
DOPAMINE DETOX | How To Take Back Control Over Your Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV_NdUZEmnE&t=122s
The Difference between Seratonin & Dopamine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-eOYmkK3dQ
Why the Things You Like Could Be Hurting Your Happiness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxbRVmWGKnc
The Difference Between Happiness and Pleasure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANNiuBPzDRQ
