Four things dopamine actually does (it?s not what you think) (Mumbai)

Four things dopamine actually does (it?s not what you think)

Four Things Dopamine Actually Does (It?s Not What You Think) As a cognitive neuroscientist, I?ve noticed that dopamine has been getting a bad rap in the media lately. It is often oversimplified as a molecule whose only function is to bring us pleasure, especially when we do things that are bad for us (like drugs or social media). While it is true that dopamine is a key player in addiction and cravings, what the media often fails to acknowledge is that dopamine is necessary for our brains and bodies (yes, bodies) to function like they are supposed to. The idea that ?dopamine = pleasure? is a vast oversimplification of a molecule that does so much more for us. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter of anticipation. That is, it is released when something is about to happen. This can be the feeling of excitement you have when getting ready for a date night, or it can be the act of working towards a long-term goal (e.g., earning a degree or leveling up your business). Dopamine is your drive to do things that require effort, and it makes those things feel ?worth it? and rewarding. So, is the media wrong in equating dopamine to pleasure? Not completely. It?s just an oversimplification. Dopamine is better characterized as having to do with seeking out the thing that will bring us pleasure, rather than just the experience of pleasure itself. Dopamine is a molecule of goal-oriented behavior that is also responsive to novelty, is involved in learning, and helps tune fine motor movement. To know more: https://mendi.in/