Dopamine

[maxdouglas402]

Dopamine is the feel good chemical in the brain that is released during pleasurable moments, but it also has many other functions in brain chemistry.

My question is, are worldly people simply chasing to release this dopamine chemical, and in a sense “slaves” to their own brain?

 

[inocente]

I’m fairly sure meditation, prayer and singing raise dopamine levels, so believers could be even more dependent than non-believers.

 

[asd72]

Yes I think that the dopamine effect is a factor in why we can get addicted to ‘behaviours’ as well as actual drugs of addiction.

In my experience you need a good period of abstinence from that behaviour (and to take measures to cut off your supply to to it if possible or feasible), to ‘reset’.

 

[zro_x]

My question is, are worldly people simply chasing to release this dopamine chemical, and in a sense “slaves” to their own brain?

Yes, in the sense that we all chase after happiness.

Still, you raise an interesting point. If dopamine=happiness, is it possible to have happiness without dopamine?

 

[kingpomba]

This is one of the of the things i come across in what i study, it’s pretty interesting when you look at it in terms of drugs and things like that, i always thought this was a good (if kind of incorrect) comic:

http://www.thedarkpassenger.org/serotonin-and-dopamine.gif

My question is, are worldly people simply chasing to release this dopamine chemical, and in a sense “slaves” to their own brain?

In a way but we kind of need to be like this by design. Chemicals like dopamine make things that are crucial to survival, like eating, drinking and sex feel pleasurable and good to motivate us to do them. If you think of the opposite side of the spectrum, pain tells us we probably really shouldn’t be doing whatever causes it because it is harmful for survival (probably).

In my experience you need a good period of abstinence from that behaviour (and to take measures to cut off your supply to to it if possible or feasible), to ‘reset’.

This is only really true with drugs…so…unless you’re on those (i hope you’re not)…good news, you can keep doing those things

Yes, in the sense that we all chase after happiness.

Still, you raise an interesting point. If dopamine=happiness, is it possible to have happiness without dopamine?

If you didn’t have any dopamine at all…happiness probably wouldn’t be the most pressing thing on your list

 

[asd72]

This is only really true with drugs…so…unless you’re on those (i hope you’re not)…good news, you can keep doing those things

But that is the point, dopamine is a natural chemical in our body. Just like a “drug”. Believe me, I am a nurse and we have vials of dopamine in the drug cupboard.

As you said it has important functions in the body, but you can become ‘addicted’ to that behaviour that triggers a dopamine rush, although I think they call it an ‘impulse control problem’ when it’s behaviour rather than drugs.

 

[HansTrappist]

Dopamine is the feel good chemical in the brain that is released during pleasurable moments, but it also has many other functions in brain chemistry.

My question is, are worldly people simply chasing to release this dopamine chemical, and in a sense “slaves” to their own brain?

Yes, those people in our hedonistic society that indulge in the sins of the flesh (especially Porn and Masturbation) are drug addicts - the drugs being supplied by their own brains.

Here is great article by neurosurgeon Donald L. Hilton, Jr that will help you to understand how Porn and Masturbation will literally destroy your brain: “Slave Master: How Pornography Drugs & Changes Your Brain” (salvomag.com/new/articles/salvo13/13hilton.php). You could also Google the writings of Dr. Judith Reisman, who has written extensively on sex addition and has been predictably demonized and marginalized because what she writes is not only true but threatens two of the biggest businesses in America - Big Porn and Big Pharma.

Looking at Porn and Masturbating release feel-good chemicals (norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, adrenaline & serotonin among others) into your brain. It’s basically like a drug that your brain gets hooked on and part of the reason why masturbation is so hard to stop. Again, see the above article by Dr. Hilton. If you ever tried to stop then you no doubt are familiar with the strong urge to look at porn and/or masturbate again after a few days to a week. After this amount of time the effects of the feel-good chemicals wear off and you start going thru withdrawal symptoms. It is a vicious cycle.

Satan is much more intelligent than us and he knows the destructive science behind every one of the Vices. His goal is not only to devour our souls but he is also an expert craftsman at destroying the flesh.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Dopamine is the feel good chemical in the brain that is released during pleasurable moments, but it also has many other functions in brain chemistry.

My question is, are worldly people simply chasing to release this dopamine chemical, and in a sense “slaves” to their own brain?

We are indeed slaves within these bodies!

 

[asd72]

I read a book a year or so ago called ‘The brain that changes itself’ It was written by a Psychiatrist about how our brains are ‘neuroplastic’. It covered many things, but porn was mentioned, and it showed how users seek out increasingly hardcore and violent porn as use escalates to get the same ‘hit’. And they are increasingly dissatisfied with their real life partners. Disturbing.

More evidence for God’s perfect law.

 

[maxdouglas402]

some very interesting points are being made. I was going to ask if dopamine can be released when we feel the presence of God, but to stay on topic about the hedonists chasing dopamine/serotonin release, do certain people who suffer from always wanting to release this pleasurable feeling ever get worn down and realize they need something more.

Example: A wealthy person bought a 2010 Lexus, then he/she bought the 2011 Lexus because it was newer, and then he/she bought a 2012 Lexus because it is newer.

Would this cycle likely continue until the person’s money runs out, or until the person’s dopamine level is not being satisfied. ( or until God intervenes ) So, would it likely be an interior cause that brings change, or would it likely be an exterior cause that would bring change?

 

[Wulfgar]

Dopamine is the feel good chemical in the brain that is released during pleasurable moments, but it also has many other functions in brain chemistry.

My question is, are worldly people simply chasing to release this dopamine chemical, and in a sense “slaves” to their own brain?

By “worldly people”, I am assuming you mean hedonists.

In my opinion, and undoubtedly in the opinion of orthodox Christians, “worldly people” (i.e., hedonists) would definitely be slaves to the subjective experience of pleasure via the release of dopamine. If your end goal in life is to attain as much pleasure as you can, then you are a slave to that goal.

Distinguish true happiness from pleasure, though. The latter is fleeting; the former is an objective state in which the person is “on the right track in life”.

Be careful not to assume that dopamine is inherently evil. Christianity teaches that all creation is good. Use things properly and in moderation, and you won’t have a problem.

 

[Wulfgar]

We are indeed slaves within these bodies!

I’d hesitate to say that. The implication here is that flesh is evil, and that the soul and the flesh are in a perpetual struggle with one another. Certainly the desires of our bodies and our souls are in conflict at times, but the former idea doesn’t really fit into Christian theology (more like Buddhism, I think, though I’m not terribly familiar with that particular religion). It’s one step from believing that matter is evil (which would imply that its Creator is evil) - and I doubt a self-professed Catholic such as yourself would honestly subscribe to a gnostic philosophy.

All in all, though, Christians can certainly agree that the soul is more important than the body, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t treat God’s gift of flesh to us with respect and care.

 

[Robert_Sock]

It’s the pituitary gland that has a lot of references depicting it as the part of the brain most responsible for spirituality.

 

[Robert_Sock]

I’d hesitate to say that. The implication here is that flesh is evil, and that the soul and the flesh are in a perpetual struggle with one another. Certainly the desires of our bodies and our souls are in conflict at times, but the former idea doesn’t really fit into Christian theology (more like Buddhism, I think, though I’m not terribly familiar with that particular religion). It’s one step from believing that matter is evil (which would imply that its Creator is evil) - and I doubt a self-professed Catholic such as yourself would honestly subscribe to a gnostic philosophy.

All in all, though, Christians can certainly agree that the soul is more important than the body, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t treat God’s gift of flesh to us with respect and care.

I believe this physical life is both good and evil.

 

[Wulfgar]

I believe this physical life is both good and evil.

Do you mean that life per se has good and evil components, or that people experience both good and evil during the course of their lives? I can agree with the latter view, but if you’re implying the former, then that goes back to the original problem.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Do you mean that life per se has good and evil components, or that people experience both good and evil during the course of their lives? I can agree with the latter view, but if you’re implying the former, then that goes back to the original problem.

I’m saying that after the disobedience of Adam and Eve, evil came into the world. We are living in a world with good and evil components. Just look at the world around you and see that evil abounds through the envy of Satan. Satan has dominion over much of our pitiful world.

 

[Bill_7154]

But that is the point, dopamine is a natural chemical in our body. Just like a “drug”. Believe me, I am a nurse and we have vials of dopamine in the drug cupboard.

As you said it has important functions in the body, but you can become ‘addicted’ to that behaviour that triggers a dopamine rush, although I think they call it an ‘impulse control problem’ when it’s behaviour rather than drugs.

Some peple use drugs and do not have impulse control problems, they are called recreational users. Some users of chocolate use it and dont’ have impulse control problems, but they may give into impulse at the moment when they see it in the isle checking out their food…

 

[Bill_7154]

adrenaline- u can have my lifes supply of that, and cortisol. Please take them! Now!!!

 

[Bill_7154]

Yes, those people in our hedonistic society that indulge in the sins of the flesh (especially Porn and Masturbation) are drug addicts - the drugs being supplied by their own brains.

Here is great article by neurosurgeon Donald L. Hilton, Jr that will help you to understand how Porn and Masturbation will literally destroy your brain: “Slave Master: How Pornography Drugs & Changes Your Brain” (salvomag.com/new/articles/salvo13/13hilton.php). You could also Google the writings of Dr. Judith Reisman, who has written extensively on sex addition and has been predictably demonized and marginalized because what she writes is not only true but threatens two of the biggest businesses in America - Big Porn and Big Pharma.

Looking at Porn and Masturbating release feel-good chemicals (norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, adrenaline & serotonin among others) into your brain. It’s basically like a drug that your brain gets hooked on and part of the reason why masturbation is so hard to stop. Again, see the above article by Dr. Hilton. If you ever tried to stop then you no doubt are familiar with the strong urge to look at porn and/or masturbate again after a few days to a week. After this amount of time the effects of the feel-good chemicals wear off and you start going thru withdrawal symptoms. It is a vicious cycle.

Satan is much more intelligent than us and he knows the destructive science behind every one of the Vices. His goal is not only to devour our souls but he is also an expert craftsman at destroying the flesh.

WEll I’m proud to say that I whooped his *** on the drinking issue and on the sex addiction issue. He now has me on the smoking issue however.

 

[Bill_7154]

I read a book a year or so ago called ‘The brain that changes itself’ It was written by a Psychiatrist about how our brains are ‘neuroplastic’. It covered many things, but porn was mentioned, and it showed how users seek out increasingly hardcore and violent porn as use escalates to get the same ‘hit’. And they are increasingly dissatisfied with their real life partners. Disturbing.

More evidence for God’s perfect law.

As a former sex addict who had sex with hundreds of women (some men have been with thousands and thousands) I can attest to the fact that sex becomes desensitized. So one woman feels unfufilling. Not doing it in crazy places with women I just met that night and we just decided where we would have sex… I miss all that a lot.

I love my wife and will never cheat on her, but while I was not living according to God’s teachings, and sleeping with all these woman, I though I was the man. I later realized I was screwing myself the whole time…

God Bless,
Bill