Want to stop an addiction? Hug someone.

All addictions generally work the same way. Something triggers you, you act out, feel great doing it, then go through a downer where you may feel guilty about it. Then you repeat.

The important commonality in all addictions is the chemical dopamine. It’s the brains response to something that feels good “now”. The problem is, the part of the brain responsible for this doesn’t know or care about your long term health and well being. It only cares about immediate survival, you know, the need to eat, drink, procreate, etc. It’s indifferent about your actions.

There’s good news. Our higher level brain is capable of reversing deep rooted addictions. Its not easy, but it’s more than possible.

Our brains release another very important chemical, called oxytocin. It’s released when you hug someone, kiss your partner, act kindly toward someone, or play with your children. Its called the chemical of love by many. And it’s this chemical that can help inhibit overloading on dopamine. So if your fighting an addiction, hug someone, as often as you can.

Love really can conquer all, and science can prove it.