Chasing Dopamine

Dopamine is the magical chemical we are all chasing. Dopamine makes us feel good and gives us a sense of well-being. Human behaviors are influenced by brain dopamine levels via the reward pleasure area of our brains referred to as the mesolimbic region. Addiction disorders are genetic brain disorders influenced by a patient's psychosocial environment. The gold standard today among addiction specialists in treating addiction disorders is medically assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is evidence based and works particularly well for patients with opioid use disorders. This book is an excellent reference guide to help patients better understand their addiction disorders, currently available treatments, and how to achieve a meaningful recovery.

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES and LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER “Brilliant . . . riveting, scary, cogent, and cleverly argued.”—Beth Macy, author of Dopesick, as heard on Fresh Air This book is about pleasure. It’s also about pain. Most important, it’s about how to find the delicate balance between the two, and why now more than ever finding balance is essential. We’re living in a time of unprecedented access to high-reward, high-dopamine stimuli: drugs, food, news, gambling, shopping, gaming, texting, sexting, Facebooking, Instagramming, YouTubing, tweeting . . . The increased numbers, variety, and potency is staggering. The smartphone is the modern-day hypodermic needle, delivering digital dopamine 24/7 for a wired generation. As such we’ve all become vulnerable to compulsive overconsumption. In Dopamine Nation, Dr. Anna Lembke, psychiatrist and author, explores the exciting new scientific discoveries that explain why the relentless pursuit of pleasure leads to pain . . . and what to do about it. Condensing complex neuroscience into easy-to-understand metaphors, Lembke illustrates how finding contentment and connectedness means keeping dopamine in check. The lived experiences of her patients are the gripping fabric of her narrative. Their riveting stories of suffering and redemption give us all hope for managing our consumption and transforming our lives. In essence, Dopamine Nation shows that the secret to finding balance is combining the science of desire with the wisdom of recovery.

MASTERING DOPAMINE FOR FOCUS, MOTIVATION AND ENJOYMENTBASED ON THE TEACHINGS OF DR. ANDREW HUBERMANTHE KEY TO UNLEASHING MOTIVATION, SHARPENING FOCUS, AND ACHIEVING SATISFACTIONWRITTEN BY: COMPANION BOOKS PUBLISHING(Not written by Andrew Huberman)CONTENTPART I: BASICS OF DOPAMINEIntroduction To Dopamine And Its RoleNeuronal Communication And Fast Ionotropic ConductionDopamine's Unique Communication Method - G Protein-Coupled ReceptorsDopamine Cascade Effects And Gene ExpressionDopamine's Slower Effects And Spatial ScalesPART II: DOPAMINE AND MOTIVATIONDiscussion About Dopamine And Its Role In Motivation, Desire, Craving, And SatisfactionMention Of Dopamine-Induced AddictionDispelling Common Myths About DopamineExplanation Of Dopamine Biology, Psychology, And Neural CircuitsDiscussion Of Dopamine Schedules And How Various Factors Can Change Dopamine LevelsPART III: DOPAMINE AND TECHNIQUESThe Use Of Cold Water Therapy To Increase Dopamine Levels And Its BenefitsPART IV: IN-DEPTH DOPAMINE UNDERSTANDINGExplanation Of Dopamine As A Neuromodulator And Its Impact On Various Aspects Of LifeIntroduction To The Two Main Dopamine Pathways: Mesocorticolimbic And NigrostriatalExplanation Of Dopamine Release Mechanisms: Synaptic And Volumetric ReleaseThe Importance Of The Peak-To-Baseline Ratio In Dopamine ResponseTips On Optimizing Dopamine For Sustained Motivation And SatisfactionPART V: THE DOPAMINE CHRONICLESDopamine's Impact On Movement, Motivation, And DriveDopamine's Stimulation Of Sympathetic ArousalDopamine As A Universal Currency For Pursuing GoalsImpact Of Dopamine Levels On Motivation And DriveFluctuations In Dopamine Levels And Their EffectsThe Concept Of Dopamine Hits And Their MisconceptionsExperience Of Extremely Low Dopamine LevelsPART VI: DOPAMINE IN DAILY LIFEDopamine's Importance And Sensitivity In Daily LifeThe Role Of Genetics In Baseline Dopamine LevelsDopamine's Relationship With Epinephrine (Adrenaline)Activities And Substances That Increase Dopamine LevelsSubjective Enjoyment And Dopamine Response To ExerciseInfluence Of Prefrontal Cortex On Rewarding PropertiesThe Impact Of Positive Thinking And Appreciation On DopamineDiscussion On Rewards Given Afterward Undermining Dopamine ReleasePART VII: VARIOUS ASPECTS OF DOPAMINEDopamine And Its EffectsSynergistic EffectsDopamine Peaks Vs. BaselineEvolutionary PerspectivePleasure-Pain BalanceAddictionMaintaining Healthy Dopamine LevelsPART VIII: DOPAMINE AND REWARDSIntermittent Reward ScheduleIntermittent Schedules And MotivationApplying Intermittent Schedules To Different ActivitiesSmartphone And Digital Technology UsageCaffeine And Its Effects On DopamineAmphetamine, Cocaine, And Dopaminergic PathwaysHealthy Activities To Boost DopaminePART IX: COLD WATER THERAPY AND DOPAMINECold Water Exposure EffectsCoping Strategies For ColdFrequency And Safety Of Cold Water ExposureImpact Of Cold Water Exposure On DopamineRelationship Between Dopamine And RewardsThe Role Of Dopamine In Effort And RewardIntermittent Fasting And DopamineDopamine And Perception Of PleasureInfluence Of Prior Experiences On DopaminePART X: DOPAMINE SUPPLEMENTS AND CONTROLSupplements For Increasing DopamineImpact Of Melatonin And Bright Lights On DopamineSocial Connections And OxytocinControlling And Modulating Dopamine

Dopamine is a crucial chemical messenger in the brain that plays a vital role in regulating mood, motivation, and reward-seeking behavior. However, excessive dopamine can lead to dependence and negative effects on overall well-being. This book provides a clear plan for reducing or eliminating sources of excessive dopamine and restoring balance in the brain. More specifically, in Dopamine Detox you’ll discover: · What dopamine is and how it works · The main benefits of completing a dopamine detox · 3 simple steps to implement a successful detox in the next 48 hours · Practical exercises to eliminate distractions and boost your focus · Simple tools and techniques to avoid overstimulation and help you stay focused, and much more. When our addiction to immediate results begins to affect our daily lives, productivity, and overall happiness, it’s time to act, quickly. We are exposed to unhealthy, unnatural reward pathways all-day, every day. The longer we let ourselves fall victim to them, the deeper the hole we’ll have to climb out of. Nothing great in life happens immediately. Set yourself up for long-term success and satisfaction.

Although Dr. Patrick Mbayas illness caused a lot distress and nearly took his life, the emotional symptoms of the depression he developed helped him understand and empathize with patients and how they feel when they become ill. In My Brain is Out of Control, Mbaya, fifty-five and at the peak of his career, shares a personal story of how he suffered from a brain infection in 2010 that caused loss of speech, right-sided weakness, and subsequent depression. He tells how he also dealt with the antibiotics complications of low white cell count and hepatitis. He narrates his experiences as a patient, the neurological and psychiatric complications he encountered, how he coped, and his journey to recovery. Presenting a personal perspective of Mbayas illness from the other side of the bed, My Brain is Out of Control, offers profound insight into battling a serious illness.

In the world of smartphones, instant internet access and on-demand documentaries, studying should be easier than ever. Yet all this background noise can make us unfocused and inefficient learners. So how can you cut through the distractions and get back to productive, rewarding learning? Four little words: Think like a Ninja. Paralysed by procrastination? Harness some Ninja Focus to get things started. Overwhelmed by exam nerves? You need some Zen-like Calm to turn those butterflies into steely focus. Surrounded by too many scrappy notes and unfinished to-do lists? Get Weapon-savvy with the latest organizational technology. With nine Ninja techniques to learn, there is a solution here for everyone who wants to learn better – and they don't involve giving up the rest of your life. Written by one of the world's foremost productivity experts, How to be a Knowledge Ninja is a fun, accessible and practical guide on how to get the most out of your studying and love the quest for knowledge again.