The Dopamine Debt
What it is and Why is it Worse than any Money Debt?
Dopamine-The Conspirator Brain Chemical
Dopamine is the main chemical secreted at the reward or pleasure center of the brain. In other words, it helps us feel pleasure and enjoy the rewards of our activities and tasks. Naturally, some activities like shopping, playing games, etc. are more pleasurable than others.
So Why is it Bad?
HIJACK: When Dopamine Goes Awry
The massive quantities of dopamine released by seemingly pleasurable activities recondition the brain in two ways:
The Brain stops feeling any reward or motivation for regular day-to-day activities and
The Brain wants only those activities which cause massive release, and the amount required to satisfy it becomes greater with time, failing which it faces intense symptoms of withdrawal and craving.
This is exactly how people get addicted to Drugs. The massive quantities of the chemical released by the drugs get a person hooked on them fast. What’s Worse is the loss of interest in other activities, and progressively increasing quantity required to experience the same high. The sufferers become slaves to a habit, once started of pleasure or excitement.
I’m not hooked on drugs, Why are you wasting my Time?
To understand this better, let’s start with the following two hypotheses:
- We all want to achieve something, or perhaps become better than we are now
- The total quantity of dopamine available per person is fixed.
Now let me explain:
We may not be hooked on drugs, but in a way, we all spend our valuable time on something we must not be doing. We all take up immediate pleasures even if we know they are bad.
Here are Some Relatable Examples:
- Rohan wants to save and invest in bonds, but is prevented by his shopping habit, and
- Raj wants to write a book but sees the PlayStation as soon as he enters the room.
- Niti cannot focus on her studies because of the big sale on apparel.
- Abhi purchased a new tablet for his online classes but spends most of his time on Netflix and Prime.
Something every day stops us from our path to the extent that we ultimately start accepting it as our limitation.
That’s Easy, Right?
Because we are all surrounded by others following the same path, and it’s easy to fit in and blame the circumstances.
The more dopamine we release now, the lesser will be available later
Success and Achievement are a result of toil and hard work. Even the word Reward means getting something in return for an effort or achievement. So how are we entitled to release the chemical of the brain without working for it?
This is where the second hypothesis comes in.
The units of dopamine allowed are finite. If you release them now, you will not be able to get a chance to enjoy the massive quantities which come with the sense of achievement, the satisfaction of toil, and with the mental peace that you’ve given it all.
Success is Special when the Journey is Mundane. Suppress yourself now, and Reap the Ultimate Reward Later
Perhaps it’s time to repay the Dopamine Debt.
