August 15, 2023

Jasmine Nguyen

10th Grade

Fountain Valley High School

What is Dopamine? 

The initial thought that comes to mind when discussing dopamine is the feeling of pleasure that it gives the body. However, it is much more complicated than that. Dopamine is one of many neurotransmitters, chemicals that send electrical signals throughout the brain’s and body’s neurons and target cells. These neurotic messages control emotions, behaviors, and the function of muscles and organs. Dopamine is especially vital to the functioning of our bodies’ motor control, memory, attention, motivation, mood, and more. Although dopamine plays a crucial role in many bodily actions, this article will specifically focus on its relationship with individuals’ reward centers.

How Dopamine Works 

The majority of dopamine is produced in the midbrain: specifically, in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental. To trigger the release of this neurotransmitter, one must partake in a pleasurable or rewarding activity, such as eating, shopping, or listening to music. Once stimulated, the neurotransmitter is released and travels through the neurons of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway. Connected to the nucleus accumbens, levels of dopamine increase, which leads to the urge to want more of whatever brings individuals those rewarding feelings. 

The Effects of Dopamine on Individuals and Society 

Dopamine is the emotional reward one receives after completing a fulfilling task. Initially, the neurotransmitter was linked to motivation for survival. Feeling pleasure after doing something as essential to survival as eating ensured that early homo sapiens were doing what they needed to survive. Caring for one’s body by working out is rewarding, eating when one is hungry is pleasurable, and educating the mind through reading is enriching. These are all tasks that are beneficial to all people. However, recently addictive products – drugs, social media, shopping, and the over-consumption of junk food – have expanded the effects of dopamine stimuli. Beforehand, dopamine was a way for the mind to motivate an individual to work hard for a rewarding outcome. Now, with future advancements, many have been taking advantage of these “shortcut” dopamine triggers. With the current easy access to dopamine, not only will individuals develop bad habits, but the body’s dopamine levels will surpass the healthy, recommended amount. High dopamine levels can lead to anxiety, aggression, excess energy, and addiction.

The Dopamine Detox Myth

Society is slowly coming to terms with and acknowledging how harmful addictives - like social media - are due to their causing a much higher release of dopamine than is healthy. Numerous studies have indicated that, particularly in teenagers, social media use can adversely impact brain development because of the rush of dopamine that occurs from getting likes on a post or gaining new followers. Many have begun promoting the practice of dopamine detoxing, the removal of easy-to-receive dopamine by allowing oneself to get bored. People typically practice this by cutting out all forms of social media, watching television, and doing excess shopping. Depending on the individual, these fasts can last for days, weeks, or months. It is hypothesized that this detox allows one to become less dependent on or addicted to harmful habits. However, this is not scientifically proven.

In fact, the term “dopamine detox” can be quite an overstatement. It is not physically or mentally possible to completely cut out dopamine from the body – who would want to do that in the first place? Instead of completely cutting out pleasurable activities from one’s life, it is more effective to limit said activities. This way, an individual can learn to enjoy their activities in moderation while also being mindful of their limits, all in order to prevent the release of excess dopamine.