What effect does dopamine have on motivation and craving?

Question

Dopamine is often described as the agent primarily responsible for motivation, pleasure, and craving. These claims cannot be rejected. However, theories posit that there have been necessary modifications in the understanding of functioning of dopaminergic system. For example, scientists have increasingly emphasized that dopamine is really more than “reward” –maybe it is better to say, it’s something completely different. Quite recently one of the leading theorists of dopaminergic activity proposed a new and simple explanation of how dopamine works, which basically says the following: Do not touch that!... Want crops or they've won!

Answer 1

To anyone seen this.. If you are struggling with addiction or depression, I just want you to know that you're not alone.. We are all in this together.

Trust we'll get through it soon.

Comments

Thank you so much

Answer 2

I enjoy these types of videos. As a female aspie, I recognize that my frontal cortex does not function similarly to that of a neurotypical person. As such, my dopamine levels are not the same, i.e. not as high as the typical person. So I am always looking for ways to increase this naturally. I have tried meditation, exercise and goal setting and then switch these up. Thank you Andrew.

Comments

That’s a pretty shaky theory… dopamine is not produced in the frontal cortex.

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I apologize, the dysfunctional dopamine levels and prefrontal cortex irregularities are two different topics. I meant to say additionally instead of "As such". But because I am such a nice person I decided to link on here multiple studies that actually support that people with autism have irregular dopamine levels and irregular frontal cortex activities. “Dopamine dysfunction may start to explain why some kids with autism are hyperactive, have tremors, motor deficits and these kinds of things,” says Aurelio Galli, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Attached are two articles plus a nice quote that talks about frontal cortex irregularities and dopamine insufficiency. Courchesne, E., & Pierce, K. (2005). Why the frontal cortex in autism might be talking only to itself: local over-connectivity but long-distance disconnection. Current opinion in neurobiology, 15(2), 225-230.Sutcliffe, J. S., Ulery-Reynolds, P. G., Erreger, K., Matthies, H. J., & Galli, A. (2015). Rare Autism-Associated Variants Implicate Syntaxin 1 (STX1 R26Q) Phosphorylation and the Dopamine Transporter (hDAT R51W) in Dopamine Neurotransmission and Behaviors.@@pikatore

Answer 3

Hey After Skool, this one is very helpful, thanks again for sharing and making so much effort in educating people

Answer 4

effort doesn't have to be painful to be rewarding.  Like when I go on a hike I enjoy every minute of it, but I still feel pleasure and like I accomplished something.

Answer 5

Best one in a while! I love them all, but this one was stellar!

Answer 6

This is so true. It’s almost like today, more than any time ever, we must be on guard to protect our minds from too much of anything

Answer 7

this video was amazing i’m praying that as many people as possible can view this. i know this info will change a lot of lives. too much info/social media exposure and laziness is far too normalized in society nowadays. people complain about mental disorders like anxiety when in reality they have just trained themselves to have a short attention span

Answer 8

“Addiction is a progressive narrowing of the things that bring you pleasure.” Mind blown .

Answer 9

"The secret of the enjoyment of pleasure is to know when to stop"
~Alan Watts

Great Video by the way

Comments

hey thanks for that quote ... very apt !

reminds me of another Alan Watts concept ...

constraints are what makes things fun ...

like lines of a tennis court ...

without them, hitting a ball over the net would be mindless ... haha

goes something like that ...

haven't found his actual words ...

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Haven't heard that before but it makes total sense, thanks for sharing!

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You're welcome.. Glad you did find it helpful.. Totally resonates with yourz

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Paradoxically he died from alcoholism

Answer 10

This was the best video I've seen all year. You're the man.

Answer 11

WOW. Just wow. This spoke to my soul

Answer 12

Love Dr. Huberman's podcast

Answer 13

I love this short video. Very valuable for those of us on the Go. I hope to see more of these from Andrew Huberman. I don’t always have time to listen to all of episodes on his podcast that can run up to 2 hours. When I can I will listen , but this here is perfect!! Thank you!

Answer 14

I know the path is the reward, but I could watch this video forever.  The golden voice, the humble inquiry and "amens," the funny cartoons. I'll watch it at least one more time, maybe two but not every day.  Why would I even think about doing that? That would not be wise. Maybe once or twice tomorrow. But that's it.

Answer 15

I freaking love Andrew Huberman. I resonate with him so much ❤️

Comments

Wow you’re artistic, just like me

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Why? This shit is dumb

Answer 16

The conclusion of this really supports that old adage, No pain no gain!

Answer 17

I'm watching this for the 3rd time this morning, making sure I truly understand whats being conveyed here. Thank you for helping me in my quest towards whatever this is that I currently find myself seeking. It's nary impossible to find someone IRL to teach you these things, and somehow almost even harder to find this kind of stuff within the confines of the digital beast. Seriously, thank you

Comments

True Visual learning is more difficult I prefer reading to make my own visualization

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How do you feel now

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lol not great but I blame the vaccines

Answer 18

Andrew and his sayings is what the modern world currently need in order to be happier.

Answer 19

“Pain evokes dopamine once the pain is over”, thanks for that because that is brilliant!!