Positive Effects of Dopamine and Endorphins

All addictive substances stimulate Dopamine, like alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine, LSD, THC, and opioids.

Opioids stimulate Dopamine and also activate the opioid receptors.

Physiologically:

Dopamine is secreted when we have sex, or eat a good meal, it is our primary reward system. This is what we live for (stimulus driven pleasure).

Endorphins and opioid receptors enable us to achieve a goal (short term), and maximize our ability to achieve the reward. This is our “Success Mechanism”.

They also decrease pain (minimal effect), increase motivation, increase confidence, increase reward (by stimulating excretion of Dopamine)

Endorphins also reduce depression and anxiety, and increase warmth-liking (interpersonal bonding) sensations. Oxytocin which also increases during meditation can increase interpersonal bonding.

Mindfulness has been shown to increase Endorphins and Dopamine in the brain, and as a result increase motivation, and confidence.

Chronic Opioid use for pain, can destroy the Success Mechanism, and sometimes can cause irreversible brain changes, and addiction.

Opioids also have Immunosuppressive effect, and can be detrimental to our health. 

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