Serotonin is my friend. As is acetylcholine (which, if I remember right from The Introvert Advantage is the neurotransmitter that introverts use a lot more of). All those neurotransmitters that let me feel so deeply and variably, alternatively fascinate and frustrate me.
I enjoy learning about the neurotransmitters, how our brains regulate them, how the things we do (as well as things done to us) affect them.
If you want more dopamine, all you have to do is play a computer game for several hours. You’ll feel great the whole time (though, often, pretty miserable afterwards when you come down off that dopamine high.)
If you want more endorphins, some of your options are to (a) get hurt, (b) go running, which to me feels like only a slight variation of option “a” or (c) I just learned last night, keep a lot of change happening in your life. Apparently, the brain processes change in the exact same place and way as it does pain. For some people, change would be a relatively pain-free way to get the same endorphin rush without the pain. For others, like the ISFJ that I am, change is, well, extremely difficult and I’d be hard pressed to think it’s worth it for the endorphin rush in exchange. (This new information I heard makes sense in connection with Lingamish’s post on the new nomads and how nomadism can increase productivity and also become a type of addiction).
And serotonin, we all know, can be helped along by various types of anti-depressants, most commonly these days, by Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (or SSRIs). But those come with their own set of side effects and complications, which may or may not seem worth it to any given person.
However, I was happily surprised this past weekend to discover a rather nonconventional and quite charming (literally) source of neurotransmitters:
While I was in research mode, I was also happy (ha, I think research gets some of my happy neurotransmitters going) to discover the contribution theobromine, a molecule, which is found in chocolate, makes towards feeling good.
Here’s the explanation from Think Geek, the website which sells the above theobromide-in-chocolate t-shirt:
Caffeine is our favorite stimulant. It is easy to get and comes in many forms. But did you know that Caffeine has a sexy younger cousin. Her name is Theobromine, and she’s the tasty little number who puts your mind in a happy place while you are eating chocolate. Molecularly similar to caffeine, but with just enough differences to make her a much smoother date, Theobromine is slower to burn out of your system and induces gentle, sensual stimulation to your muscular and cardiovascular systems.
Although I don’t understand all the technicalities, the Wikipedia (reliable resource that it is π )article on theobromine, filled in a few more gaps in my knowledge as they explained that this molecule does something to stimulate serotonin.
Something else I learned is that:
theobromine has an antitussive (cough-reducing) effect superior to codeine by suppressing vagus nerve activity. In the study, theobromine significantly increased the capsaicin concentration required to induce coughs when compared with a placebo. Additionally, theobromine is helpful in treating asthma since it relaxes the smooth muscles, including the ones found in the bronchi.
Chocolate just keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it?
And it sure is a lot cheaper than the above jewelry. Still, if I had enough money and felt comfortable spending it on indulgences like jewelry, my Made With Molecules design of choice would be the endorphin necklace:
That is incredibly and amazingly beautiful. Chocolate might make me feel good, but I look at that endorphin necklace and think two things (besides how beautiful it is, but I experience that as more of a feeling than a thought):
(1) how unbelievably creative the designer of the jewelry (a molecular biophysicist turned artist named Raven Hanna) is, and
(2) how amazing the Designer of the real-thing-endorphins is. I mean, that’s just one of the neurotransmitters, and it is so incredibly complex and beautiful and fascinating AND, wow, does it come in handy when I’m hurting.
Since $640 is hard for me to come by, however, I’m thinking I’ll just have to stick with one of these next time I’m feeling the need for a neurotransmitter boost:
(Perhaps I could set up a “contribute” button like Lingamish has on his site, only mine could be for chocolate instead of cash! )
I’ve heard that fans of a winning team experience a sympathetic rush of adrenaline. Reading this article had a similar effect on my metadorpinominelcetic receptors. Thanks.
Wow, you are one of a kind, David! You have a neurotransmitter that even Google has never heard of (I figured that was the case, but I had to check just to be sure π )
I must say, there are many people who make me laugh, but the specific angles from which you make me laugh are unique. I’ll be smiling and shaking my head all day now (which, in turn, helps to keep my very ordinary neurotransmitters happily busy.)
I love this post! Is it because it makes me think of chocolate? Or is it just your high level of writing+ fascinating lead of your curiosity+ pictures that satisfy my need for some beautiful = good feeling ( from all those “things” you said and he said….)
Hi Ilona,
Happy to make you happy π
And my guess is, It’s the chocolate!
Hilary just got a box of See’s chocolate from a friend in the US. She needs neither t-shirts nor necklaces. (And we had chocolate cake tonight for Henry’s birthday)
Ahhhh, that sounds like a wonderful prelude to your vacation π Here’s hoping it is a delightful time for each of you and all of you, together. Go well.
If you want more dopamine, all you have to do is play a computer game for several hours.
Yeah, been there, doing that π
Anyone else want to play Scramble or Prolific on Facebook?! It costs much less than buying serotonin reuptake inhibitors. But there is a cost!
Interesting post! Nicely detailed. Some helpful visual sensory input.
Hi Wayne, I was wondering if you were still playing Scramble. I hadn’t been getting any messages/invitations from Facebook for that, but I’m always game for a round. It’s perfect, because it’s what, three or five minutes a pop? Little dopamine bursts, not enough to leave the grumpy side effect/residue afterwards.
i’m a total neurotransmitter freak. thanks for the fix. it makes me feel more normal that there are people out there who think about neuroanatomy.
Terri, Ha! I’m not sure I’m the most stable cookie out there to stand as a defining image of “normal” π , but it is always nice to find someone else interested in neuroanatomy. I loved the book The Synaptic Self, even though I understood maybe 15-18 percent of it. What I did understand, though, was great.
Instead of calling myself neurotic about something, sometimes I like to say I’m neuronic…
But, the flip side of it is that sometimes, when I’m in the right (or wrong) mood, I get irritated with how much of a machine all this neurotransmitter stuff makes me feel like. If you just figure out the right buttons and how to push them….. Well, that’s another post for another day.
What can I say to my intellectual friend who hangs out with someone who cannot even understand what you just said, except for the chocolate part. But that probably was the most important!!
Yep, JoyJourney, the chocolate is the most important part! And I agree, what more is to be said? But, since you know me, you know I’ll keep saying it anyway π