DOPAMINE RESISTANCE “Meh,” she says with a sigh. Sound familiar? Many people are losing interest in the things that used to bring pleasure or notice that it takes more use to have the same effect. Ask yourself, has the glass of wine at the end of the day turned into two? Has one Netflix show turned into a whole evening lost to trance? How often do you find yourself mindlessly eating junk food only to find the entire package devoured? There’s a good reason why this is happening. Please have hope; it’s not too late. Dopamine is the “pleasure chemical” in the brain. We experience the effects of dopamine when we eat refined sugars, refined flour, and processed foods. It is also released with consumption of alcohol, nicotine, and during sexual activity. Moreover, dopamine is released when we watch TV, work on a computer, check our phones or any back-lit device, scroll through social media, play video games, gamble, and shop. Often when our bodies are repeatedly exposed to these chemicals, we build tolerance. This means that the body becomes resistant to these substances, causing us to need more, and levels increase significantly as their pathways get overwhelmed and backed up. It’s similar to tuning out a nagging spouse who, in turn, only yells louder. Over time, the affected individual becomes used to the yelling, “dopamine resistant,” and starts feeling irritable, struggling with focus and short-term memory, and, ultimately, becomes more compulsive, frequently turning to other addictive behaviors or substances. All of this stems from a deep sense of unhappiness, often verging on panic since what previously offered relief is no longer working.
12
March 2020
It gets worse. Dopamine has an inverse relationship to another important neurochemical called serotonin. The higher the serum levels of dopamine become, the more the serum levels of serotonin fall. Serotonin is our “relax and be content” neurotransmitter. So, this suffering, irritable, scattered-feeling person is now depressed and anxious. To make matters even worse, serotonin is converted into melatonin, an essential hormone that assists in restorative sleep. With inadequate levels of serotonin, melatonin levels fall, and sleep suffers. This continues to destabilize physical and mental well-being and is a significant factor in the development of metabolic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, cancer and mental illness. Sound familiar? So how do we combat this epidemic of the modern age? The first step involves awakening to our dysfunctional patterns. How do you seek relief from the daily grind? Which habits truly serve your highest good and which ones are doing you harm? Are you willing to try eating clean? How about setting boundaries around screen time for yourself and your family? Where is there space to integrate time outside in nature? When was the last time you enjoyed a creative
activity like drawing, painting, dancing, or journaling without being interrupted by your phone? You may notice that it could require scheduling a vacation or a retreat where there is both time and space to explore sitting with your thoughts and emotions. These practices have great value in resetting your body’s chemistry and nervous system. When we consciously choose to disconnect from our electronics and loosen our grip on our vices, we reclaim our power. We start to remember who we really are and what matters most. We remember our dreams and aspirations. We also start to FEEL the pain of what’s unfinished and the wounds that need healing. This process can take time and may require professional support. There are tools that assist in processing intense emotions and creating space—breath work, EFT (tapping), mindfulness and meditation can help tremendously. Please ask for help if you’re suffering and want to make changes. Your feelings and needs matter. You matter. And help is closer than you think. Jenny Opdycke, PA-C has been practicing medicine for more than 16 years. Her specialties include holistic wellness, anxiety/depression, trauma recovery and intuitive, low carb eating strategies that promote self-awareness and healing. She loves spending time with her twin girls, friends, and fur babies. More info at www.integratedhealthmatters.com.
WomensLifeStyleKazoo.com
