Addiction is bad, right? We hear about it all the time. We’re in the midst of an opioid epidemic, and our friends, family members, loved ones, and those we interact with all the time are shopping too much, eating too much, spending too much time on social media. We all know someone who “has an addictive personality.” We wish we can help them, but know they have to help themselves first. So, we mind our own business, while silently shunning their behavior.
What if it could be argued, we are all addicts?
After all, we all have something or someone in our lives we cannot live without. It’s human nature to crave excitement. We are all working toward achieving a happy life. What does this mean, exactly? We all want joy, excitement, peace, acceptance, and all of the other buzzwords tied to being happy. Our addiction is the pursuit of happiness.
Addicts, in the stereotypical sense, crave excitement, too. To be exact, they crave the rush of dopamine in the brain whenever they fuel their addiction. And, they crave this time and again, over and over. This is what gives their lives meaning. It’s what gives them pleasure.
Partaking in addictive behavior releases dopamine in the brain, which activates its pleasure centers and makes the addict happy. By contrast, low levels of this chemical can lead to a lack of motivation, fatigue, low libido, sleep problems, and memory loss, among other physical, mental, and emotional problems.
The most common reasons for dopamine levels drop include poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, obesity, and thyroid disorders. And, of course, unhealthy addictions, such as being sexually promiscuous, developing an affinity for money, or divulging in substances. These temporarily heighten pleasure, only to drop it to all-time lows, which makes those addicted continue to repeat their unhealthy behaviors time and again.
We all want a pleasurable life. We all want to do things that give us that rush of dopamine which triggers feelings of happiness. So, are there natural, healthy ways to induce dopamine? Can we get that same surge without the consequences of engaging in not-so-good-for-us activities? Can we be addicted to healthy things?
Absolutely. We can experience the same pleasure by maintaining meaningful connections with others. This means we have social relationships that make us feel safe, secure, wanted, and loved. They enhance our life rather than take away from it, as toxic relationships do.
We can also cause the brain to release dopamine by getting involved in past-times that make us feel we are a part of something positive – such as social groups and support groups, sports, book clubs, and the like. We can pursue jobs and extracurriculars we enjoy going to and taking on, that don’t feel burdensome.
Exercising also naturally increases dopamine. This may be as simple as taking an evening stroll to clear our heads each night. The benefits of getting up and out of the house extend far beyond the few minutes of peace as we pace around the block.
There are also numerous foods that act as a gateway to dopamine release. This chemical is made from the amino acid l-tyrosine which is found in protein-rich foods. Eating a diet high in l-tyrosine can help ensure you’ve got the basic building blocks needed for dopamine synthesis.
It’s important to note that while you may find some foods, such as potatoes, tomatoes, avocados, broccoli, oranges, spinach, and brussels sprouts contain some dopamine, these properties won’t cross the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, they will produce no effect.
Instead, consume foods, drinks, and spices known to contain l-tyrosine, a precursor to dopamine. These include apples, avocados, beans, bananas, beets, chocolate, coffee, leafy greens, green tea, and nuts, among many others. In fact, since the list is full of power foods and beverages that a whole host of other healthy must-haves, including essential vitamins and minerals, making the switch is a great option for your overall well-being.
An overabundance of bad bacteria in the gut can also leave toxic byproducts called lipopolysaccharides which destroy the brain cells needed to produce dopamine. So, take a daily probiotic and snack on some yogurt whenever you can. You can also add in a natural l-tyrosine supplement to boost your chances of synthesis.
The lesson to be learned? We shouldn’t judge. Work on reframing any time you’re naturally inclined to choose negativity. Some days are better, some days are worse; look for the blessing rather than the curse.
We all crave the same things in life. Thus, we all suffer from addiction. How we choose to satisfy our cravings makes all the difference. As addicts, we must choose to accomplish the same goals in a healthy manner and live fully. So, indulge in the finer – good-for-you – things in life, and enjoy.