The Molecule of More

1. Dopamine drives desire and fuels our pursuit of "more"

Dopamine doesn't come equipped with a conscience. Rather, it is a source of cunning fed by desire.

The dopamine desire circuit evolved to promote behaviors that lead to survival and reproduction. It creates feelings of wanting and anticipation, motivating us to seek out food, sex, and other resources. However, dopamine is about wanting, not liking. It produces a feeling of anticipation that is never fully satisfied, always pushing us to want more.

Dopamine's role in motivation:

• Triggers feelings of desire and excitement when we encounter potentially rewarding stimuli
• Focuses our attention on future possibilities rather than present experiences
• Creates a "reward prediction error" when we encounter unexpected rewards, reinforcing reward-seeking behavior
• Drives us to pursue novelty and change, even when we're objectively satisfied

This constant pursuit of "more" served our ancestors well in resource-scarce environments. In modern abundance, however, it can lead to restlessness, addiction, and an inability to appreciate what we have.

2. Love transitions from passionate to companionate through neurochemical shifts

According to anthropologist Helen Fisher, early or "passionate" love lasts only twelve to eighteen months.

The chemistry of love changes as relationships progress. Early passionate love is driven by dopamine, creating intense focus, energy, and euphoria. This dopamine-fueled state evolved to motivate mate-seeking and bonding but is not sustainable long-term.

Stages of love and their neurochemical bases:

• Passionate love: Driven by dopamine and norepinephrine, creating excitement and obsessive focus
• Companionate love: Mediated by oxytocin, vasopressin, and endorphins, promoting bonding and contentment
• Transition period: Often marked by disappointment as dopamine levels normalize

For relationships to endure, couples must successfully transition from the dopamine-driven passion to the more stable, H&N-mediated companionate love. This shift allows for deeper emotional connection and long-term satisfaction, though it lacks the intense "high" of early romance.

3. Addiction hijacks the brain's reward system, overwhelming rational decision-making

Giving in to craving doesn't necessarily lead to pleasure because wanting is different from liking. Dopamine makes promises that it is in no position to keep.

Addiction's neurological basis lies in dopamine's ability to create intense wanting, even in the absence of pleasure. Addictive substances and behaviors trigger dopamine release far beyond what natural rewards produce, creating a cycle of craving and disappointment.

Key aspects of addiction:

• Hijacks the brain's natural reward system
• Creates a disconnect between wanting and liking
• Leads to tolerance, requiring increasing stimulation for the same effect
• Impairs the prefrontal cortex, weakening impulse control and decision-making
• Often co-occurs with mental health issues due to shared neurological vulnerabilities

Treatment approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and 12-step programs work by engaging different brain circuits to counter addictive behaviors. They aim to strengthen impulse control, build motivation for change, and create supporting social structures.

4. Creativity and mental illness share dopaminergic roots

Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected.

The dopaminergic link between creativity and mental illness explains why highly creative individuals often experience mood disorders or psychosis. Both creativity and certain mental illnesses involve heightened dopamine activity, which can lead to novel connections and ideas but also to disordered thinking.

Characteristics of the creative/psychotic mind:

• Low latent inhibition: Difficulty filtering out irrelevant stimuli
• Divergent thinking: Ability to generate multiple, unique ideas
• Heightened pattern recognition: Seeing connections others miss
• Intense focus and motivation: Driven pursuit of creative goals
• Emotional sensitivity: Heightened responsiveness to experiences

This connection explains why periods of intense creativity often alternate with episodes of depression or mania in artists and innovators. While not all creative people have mental illness (and vice versa), understanding this link can help in managing creative temperaments and supporting those with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

5. Political ideologies reflect differences in dopamine and H&N neurotransmitter activity

Liberals often refer to themselves as progressives, a term that implies constant improvement. Progressives embrace change.

Neurochemical underpinnings of political views suggest that liberals tend to have higher dopamine activity, while conservatives show greater influence from H&N neurotransmitters. This difference manifests in contrasting approaches to social and political issues.

Liberal vs. Conservative neurochemical tendencies:

• Liberals: Higher dopamine activity
  • More open to change and novelty
  • Focus on future possibilities and progress
  • Abstract, big-picture thinking
• Conservatives: Greater H&N influence
  • Preference for stability and tradition
  • Focus on immediate, concrete concerns
  • Emphasis on personal relationships and local community

These tendencies influence policy preferences, with liberals more likely to support large-scale government programs and social change, while conservatives favor maintaining traditional structures and individual responsibility. Understanding these neurochemical differences can promote empathy and more productive political discourse.

6. Dopamine propels human progress but risks environmental and social consequences

As a species we have become far more powerful than we were when our brains first developed. Technology develops fast while evolution is slow.

The double-edged sword of dopamine-driven progress has led to remarkable technological and social advancements but also created unprecedented global challenges. Our dopaminergic pursuit of "more" drives innovation but can lead to environmental destruction, social upheaval, and potential existential risks.

Dopamine's role in human advancement and risk:

• Fuels scientific discovery and technological innovation
• Drives economic growth and material abundance
• Motivates exploration and expansion of human knowledge
• Can lead to overconsumption and environmental degradation
• May contribute to social inequality and cultural disruption
• Poses risks through advanced technologies like AI and genetic engineering

Balancing the benefits of dopamine-driven progress with its potential dangers is a key challenge for humanity. It requires developing new social, political, and technological systems that can harness our innovative drive while mitigating its negative consequences.

7. Balancing dopamine and H&N neurotransmitters is key to fulfillment and well-being

To live a good life, we need to bring them back into balance.

Achieving neurochemical harmony between dopamine and H&N systems is crucial for both individual happiness and societal well-being. This balance allows us to pursue goals and growth while also appreciating present experiences and maintaining meaningful relationships.

Strategies for balancing dopamine and H&N activity:

• Mindfulness practices: Increase awareness of present-moment experiences
• Gratitude exercises: Enhance appreciation for what we have
• Goal-setting with reflection: Combine future-oriented action with present satisfaction
• Nurturing relationships: Engage H&N systems through social bonding
• Pursuing mastery: Find fulfillment in skill development and competence
• Alternating novelty and routine: Balance excitement with stability
• Connecting with nature: Engage sensory experiences and natural rhythms

By consciously cultivating this balance, individuals can experience greater fulfillment, resilience, and overall life satisfaction. On a societal level, promoting this balance can lead to more sustainable progress and healthier communities.

Last updated: January 22, 2025