This could explain the link between why so many with ADHD also tend to have anxiety, since ADHD could roughly be considered a lack of dopamine (I know it's more complex than that, but it is a significant portion of it).
Dopamine signals when a fear can be forgotten
121–130 of 140 posts
Re: Dopamine signals when a fear can be forgotten
#122Earlier quoted context omitted.
1. Cold plunge - high but transient (last for hours). I do it in the morning, after my shower - start the day off right. 2. Exercise - short-term: increases dopamine, serotonin, and a bunch of other good stuff; long-term: increases dopamine receptor density. 3. Caffeine - while doesn't technically increase dopamine, it blocks adenosine receptors which indirectly increases dopamine signalling. But habitual use blunts…
Nicotine.
Nicotine doesn’t really have any good MOAs. Inhalation is very short lasting, addictive, and gross and unhealthy. Pouches are harsh and still don’t last very long, gum (especially Lucy brand) is better but still has the same issues. And patches cause a lot of arm irritation. And all of these are very easy to overdo and make you feel somewhere in between physically uneasy and on edge to sick, that is until you get used to them and then you feel that way when you’re off.
Also personally, it doesn’t even help me with focus, in part because administering it is too distracting. I wonder whether there’s a place for an extended release nicotine pill, although that would probably be pretty rough on the gut.
Re: Dopamine signals when a fear can be forgotten
#123Earlier quoted context omitted.
Strengthen your prefrontal cortex so "you" have more control over your urges. You typically do this with meditation.
Not recommended if you're depressed/in a bad situation because you can just disassociate from everything instead of fixing it.
You could just as (if not more) easily gain clarity into what you need to fix and how, and increase your ability to act on those insights.
Re: Dopamine signals when a fear can be forgotten
#124Earlier quoted context omitted.
In my experience, no. You just get used to it and it does fuck all. Maybe worse even. Adderall seems to take my creativity away entirely and I just feel like a zombie. Theres a host of physical symptoms that come with it to that are not fun to manage: decreased appetite, dehydration, headaches, sleep loss, heart palpatstions. I would say its far better to take it on a needed basis once in a while
Have you tried any other medication? Concerta/Ritalin, Strattera/atomoxetine, or any other non-stimulant medications?
No I havent, maybe its worth trying. Adderall worked so well for me initially I didnt want to experiment but yeah over time the negatives have outweighed the positives. I mean seriously first day 5mg worked better than 20mg a month or two later
I imagine the tolerance thing holds with all drugs so Im surprised people say it works for them long term (maybe placebo, or they're comparing it to withdrawal "Ive been on adderall for 10 years, if I go a day without it I feel like shit and cant function, so it works!" but maybe...
Re: Dopamine signals when a fear can be forgotten
#125Earlier quoted context omitted.
is it not true though that activity/threshholds of dopamine synapses can be globally or semi-globally up and down regulated?
No, activity and expression are always local. Exclusively. There are no global levers.
I'm pretty sure there are things that affect the brain globally... nutrient availability? Oxygen availability? Sledgehammers?
Re: Dopamine signals when a fear can be forgotten
#126Interesting—I just posted a piece on my blog today about an experience that felt exactly like this. Once the panic settled, it was like my brain rewired itself for learning. Fear gave way to focus. Deadline pressure turned into this weird kind of superpower.
Re: Dopamine signals when a fear can be forgotten
#127Earlier quoted context omitted.
FTA: “The team showed that indeed they express “D1” receptors for the neuromodulator. Commensurate with the degree of dopamine connectivity“ There are receptors specifically for dopamine on the amygdala neurons. Dopamine molecules are released by the pre-synaptic neurons, travel across the synapse, and bind to these receptors. Dopamine’s role in the nervous system is not simply an intermediate on the pathway to produ…
The more I read and interact with people like you, the dumber I feel. Thanks. I'll read up.
You’re not dumb, it’s an incredibly complex topic with convoluted and contradictory messaging everywhere.
The way that I’ve learned to think about it is that the brain is made up neurons, and they perform specific functions, technically individually but more usefully understood in regional groupings (primarily figured out via fMRI/blood flow studies and lesion experiments).
Each neuron’s activity is regulated by specific neurotransmitters, and the type of receptors expressed in neurons also correlates with these functional areas (figured out through PET/radio-tagged molecule scans and biopsies). Regarding dopamine specifically, the area that is responsible for effortful attention (prefrontal cortex) as well as for reward (in a general sense, broader “good” not only simpler treats) processing (nucleus accumbens) have high concentrations of dopamine receptors.
Therefore, drugs that interact with dopamine receptors or with chemical chains that involve dopamine can affect these functions.
Neurotransmitters are just chemicals and they go through many complex and interrelated metabolic chains, and at baseline (in a typical individual, barring specific genetic differences) it is often most useful to assume they’re all there and instead understand where they’re used.
This comment might not be the most succinct and I’m just started my education on the subject so I’m sure there are inaccuracy’s and I’d be happy if they’re pointed out, but I do hope that it helps you get a somewhat clearer picture and realize that you’re not dumb for being confused about this.
Re: Dopamine signals when a fear can be forgotten
#128Earlier quoted context omitted.
Nicotine.
Nicotine doesn’t really have any good MOAs. Inhalation is very short lasting, addictive, and gross and unhealthy. Pouches are harsh and still don’t last very long, gum (especially Lucy brand) is better but still has the same issues. And patches cause a lot of arm irritation. And all of these are very easy to overdo and make you feel somewhere in between physically uneasy and on edge to sick, that is until you get use…
What do you prefer for focus?
Re: Dopamine signals when a fear can be forgotten
#129Earlier quoted context omitted.
Nicotine doesn’t really have any good MOAs. Inhalation is very short lasting, addictive, and gross and unhealthy. Pouches are harsh and still don’t last very long, gum (especially Lucy brand) is better but still has the same issues. And patches cause a lot of arm irritation. And all of these are very easy to overdo and make you feel somewhere in between physically uneasy and on edge to sick, that is until you get use…
What do you prefer for focus?
The best I’ve found for focus is simple caffeine. Amphetamines are good for motivation but give me too much motivation to do things other than what I need to be doing. Methylphenidate is maybe a bit better but still a similar story. They also both have considerably worse side effect profile than caffeine. YMMV though, I am an adhd-coded individual and everyone’s brain chemistry is a bit different anyway. Lion’s mane and/or Cordyceps double extract tincture is not bad but I’ve grown to be weary of neurogenic drugs, although that is more of a personal decision.
Re: Dopamine signals when a fear can be forgotten
#130Earlier quoted context omitted.
Screens are awesome. They are the heir apparent to the fireplace. A very old human tradition and very cherished. Outside, right now, people stay on screens all the time. It's the same stuff. Why even bother? Humans plan ahead. We look towards the future and the past. Not all the time, but a lot of the time. This carpe diem stuff doesn't seem like the right way to approach the problem given our current technological s…
You do you, but lets say I don't agree with what you say at all. Quality of life and all. Since I do both sides its easy to compare short and long term effects and impact on quality of life and happiness, plus its trivial to look around and see exactly same stuff repeating all over with literally everybody. Suffice to say parent is correct, and you are not.
> long term effects and impact on quality of life and happiness
Sounds like planning ahead. Exactly like I said.
> literally everybody
It lacks a further explanation. I don't know if you see that if you can't put it in your own words.