Is anyone else’s life all about dopamine?

[sserafim]

I feel like my life is all about seeking sensations. I try to get as many dopamine rushes as possible. Does anyone else relate to this? Everything I do is for the dopamine kick. Maybe it's cuz I have ADHD…

 

[derpyderpins]

I slide into that when I'm avoiding things. It's what I'm doing here, I guess. Example would be the summer I was supposed to study for the bar. I got behind at the start, and then I'm stressed about being behind so I play games to get that dopamine hit, calm myself down, and avoid the panic that comes with thinking about my situation, then I'm even further behind, etc., until it's a week before the test and I've basically done nothing of substance. Similar habits definitely held me back in my first couple law firm jobs and are still threatening me.

Suffice to say, if I'm seeking dopamine hits it's because something is wrong.

 

[locked*n*loaded]

Huh. I can't tell you the last time I had a dopamine rush. I've been numb for so long, gaining enjoyment from absolutely nothing, that I highly doubt anything (pleasurable) happening in my life could even induce a mild euphoric feeling in me.

 

[thenamingofcats]

Yeah I think it's similar to stimming.

 

[EvisceratedJester]

Most people's lives are, to some degree or another, about trying get a good dopamine rush. It's something that we are biologically incline to do.

 

[Sylveon]

Absolutely, yup; everything and anything I've ever done in my life is merely for seeking some cheap dopamine rushes. It feels kinda pathetic living this way for so long, yet I can't seem to be able to help it...

 

[Suicidebydeath]

I really wish I could feel something - it's the opposite for me, probably because I can't feel anything besides pain, so I don't think I really chase anything except achievements in games :(

I was considering removing damage my family did to me earlier using surgical steel (chemical burns on my arms). I want to know what it feels like to feel something nice, though. I just feel like a zombie. Other peoples replies, which I expected anyway, just make me feel like I'm not even human at this point.

I feel similar to Locked, I guess it's the same for anyone with some degree of anhedonia, what's the point in chasing thrills & feelings when you can't experience them.

 

[sserafim]

Yeah I think it's similar to stimming.

Yeah probably. I'm sensory seeking. I've never stimmed though, I don't think. I'm not sure if I even have Asperger's/autism or if it was a misdiagnosis. I def have ADHD though

 

[EvisceratedJester]

Yeah probably. I'm sensory seeking. I've never stimmed though, I don't think. I'm not sure if I even have Asperger's/autism or if it was a misdiagnosis. I def have ADHD though

Are you sure? Everyone technically stimms to some extent, including hose who are allistic and don't suffer from ADHD.

 

[KillingPain267]

Yes, either that, or at least avoiding cortisol.

 

[ijustwishtodie]

No, in my case, I don't really want dopamine hits. What I want is to minimise my suffering. I'm all about suffering reduction, not about maximising happiness. To me, I believe that minimising suffering is more important than maximising happiness

 

[sserafim]

No, in my case, I don't really want dopamine hits. What I want is to minimise my suffering. I'm all about suffering reduction, not about maximising happiness. To me, I believe that minimising suffering is more important than maximising happiness

Dopamine is pleasure. It makes you feel good

 

[divinemistress87]

That's why I eat to much

 

[ijustwishtodie]

Dopamine is pleasure. It makes you feel good

I care more about not feeling bad than feeling good. There's an asymmetry between pleasure and pain

 

[iloverachel]

my brain no longer produces dopamine
I don't ever feel a dopamine rush unless I take illegal drugs

 

[sserafim]

That's why I eat to much

I go online and I used to play video games until my mom confiscated my console. She locked it up in her safe

 

[Mirrory Me]

Admittedly, I often think about it- right from the morning, the best way to start the day is to have some black tea, and that sorta...

 

[Hollowman]

I'm pretty sure all the meds I took damaged my dopamine receptors. Nothing makes me feel good.

 

[sserafim]

Admittedly, I often think about it- right from the morning, the best way to start the day is to have some black tea, and that sorta...

You drink black tea? I'm more of a coffee person. I still like tea though. I have to add milk to both. I'm addicted to caffeine. At the height of my caffeine addiction, I would drink 7 cups of coffee per day

my brain no longer produces dopamine
I don't ever feel a dopamine rush unless I take illegal drugs

I've never taken illegal drugs. I'm scared of the consequences (getting addicted, etc)

 

[Mirrory Me]

You drink black tea? I'm more of a coffee person. I still like tea though. I have to add milk to both

I used to drink coffee, but apparantly the black tea is healthier. It contains some antioxidants and l-theanine.

 

[iloverachel]

You drink black tea? I'm more of a coffee person. I still like tea though. I have to add milk to both. I'm addicted to caffeine. At the height of my caffeine addiction, I would drink 7 cups of coffee per day

I've never taken illegal drugs. I'm scared of the consequences (getting addicted, etc)

yeah drugs are very expensive, dangerous, addictive and can cause long term mental and health problems. I wish i never took any drugs ever

 

[derpyderpins]

I go online and I used to play video games until my mom confiscated my console. She locked it up in her safe

The theory being that browsing forums and the rest of the web is somehow a better use of time? BS, imo. Another reason to gtfo of there, though. But I realize I hit a dead end there.

 

[Mirrory Me]

yeah drugs are very expensive, dangerous, addictive and can cause long term mental and health problems. I wish i never took any drugs ever

Well, it depends on which drugs... Some can be very destructive, or some add pleasure and meaning to life. And they are not necessarily expensive, some can be grown naturally.