Posted by Johnturner77 on June 12, 2000, at 14:24:53
In reply to Re: question about dopamine » JohnL , posted by michael on June 11, 2000, at 16:57:07
> The question about natural dopamine enhancers needs to be more specific. Marijuana may increase Dopamine 6 fold but it seems to rather easily deplete it. Chronic use left me bereft of short term memory, totally unfocussed, and apathetic. I haven't studied its mode of operation but I suspect it doesn't block reuptake beneficially.
Cocaine may cause a storm of dopamine, but it doesn't effectively boost sensitivity in a way that helps anhedonics respond normally to pleasurable input. Addiction itself is a short circuited approach to pleasure. The drug brings it directly by overwhelming the brain.
I suspect what CarolAnn really was asking was; is there a natural substance, that when taken over time, awakens the ability of the brain to experience pleasure and enhances the drive for reward?
poster:Johnturner77
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