Key Insights From:
The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity—and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race
By Daniel Z. Lieberman, Michael E. Long
Key Insights From:
The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity—and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race
By Daniel Z. Lieberman, Michael E. Long
What You'll Learn:
Do you ever wonder why you can’t enjoy the present? Or maybe you’re curious to know what’s behind a gambler’s addiction or a painter’s creativity? Dopamine. This single neurotransmitter is in charge of a wide range of otherwise unrelated human behaviors, pulling the strings in people prone to dating too much or overworking. Dopamine is the brain chemical which moves our minds beyond the present and into a world of desire and imagination. It functions in opposition to neurotransmitters such as serotonin and endorphins, which are more concerned with our abilities to enjoy sensations of the present moment. Psychiatrist and professor Daniel Lieberman and writer Michael Long delve into the unexpectedly diverse world of dopamine in an investigation of how one neurotransmitter shapes the structure of experience.
Key Insights:
- Dopamine is the dictator of desire not pleasure.
- Addictions to drugs, alcohol, and even video games are all driven by dopamine.
- Dopamine lives in a constant future—the fuel behind relentless achievement and perpetual dissatisfaction.
- The brain chemistry of creatives, dreamers, and the mentally ill is highly similar and oftentimes dangerously dopaminergic.
- Focusing on sensory experiences enables a better balance of dopamine and leads to a deeper sense of fulfillment.
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