NG LifeMag EMAG Feb 2024 - Flipbook - Page 13
Dopamine and the reward system
Addic琀椀on can be so di昀케cult to overcome because it changes your brain
and your mo琀椀va琀椀on to quit. But understanding the causes of your
addic琀椀on can help to break the cycle.
A key player in addic琀椀on is dopamine, a neurotransmi琀琀er associated
with pleasure and reward. The brain's reward system, which involves
the release of dopamine, plays a pivotal role in addic琀椀on.
When we engage in pleasurable ac琀椀vi琀椀es or use addic琀椀ve substances,
our brains release dopamine, crea琀椀ng a sense of reward and reinforcing
the behaviour. Over 琀椀me, the brain adapts to the increased dopamine
levels, leading to diminished pleasure from the substance or behaviour.
This results in cravings, which are a hallmark of addic琀椀on. Cravings
o昀琀en lead to relapse, perpetua琀椀ng the addic琀椀ve cycle.