Each day, as the sun rises, so does the human desire to pursue happiness. Whether it is working out, drinking a morning coffee, or scrolling through social media, dopamine, the brain’s “feel good” hormone, is at play. However, in the modern world of instant gratification and advanced technology, not all dopamine have the same effects, according to revivecounselingwellness.com. Understanding the difference between beneficial and harmful dopamine can make significant improvements to both physical and mental well-being, according to benjo-li.medium.com.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays an essential role in memory, motivation, learning, pleasure, and movement, according to myclevelandclinic.org. It is the chemical messenger that sends signals between the brain and nerve cells, which is essential from an evolutionary perspective as it reinforces survival behaviors, such as eating. Dopamine is part of a reward system that gives one pleasure and motivation. Consequently, human brains will seek behaviors that release dopamine. Dopamine enables humans to focus, plan, work on goals and find things interesting, according to webmd.com,
The right amount of dopamine makes people feel happy, motivated, and focused, according to myclevelandclinic.org. When released in healthy amounts, dopamine motivates people to feel a sense of accomplishment and genuine fulfillment. Engaging in activities that promote well-being and balance help to maintain healthy dopamine levels. This encompasses a multitude of activities, such as connecting with nature, laughter, positive thinking, exercise, sleep, sunlight, and reading, according to benjo-li.medium.com. Partaking in activities that are relaxing improves dopamine levels in a natural way and supports the brain’s ability to regulate dopamine production, fostering long-term dopamine balance. Dr. Lisa Schwartz, Upper School Psychologist, commented on how dopamine can be beneficial to humans.
“Dopamine is part of your reward system, designed to help you survive,” Dr. Schwartz said. “When you’re doing something pleasurable, your brain releases a large amount of dopamine, which makes you feel good and you seek more of that feeling. This is also why junk food and sugar or social media are so addictive, because they lead to an increase in dopamine, giving you the ‘feeling that you’re on top of the world,’ and you want to repeat that experience.”
The human brain naturally seeks dopamine-releasing behaviors, but not all sources lead to positive outcomes. Unhealthy dopamine consumption creates short-term satisfaction with long-term consequences. Fake dopamine, which provides temporary fulfillment gives the illusion of happiness while holding the potential for negative effects, according to revivecounselingwellness.com. In contrast to real dopamine, fake dopamine gives short-lasting satisfaction but leaves people craving more. For example, junk food and sugar trigger the release of large amounts of dopamine, which makes people want more and can develop into addiction and long-term health issues, according to myclevelandclinic.org.
As dopamine is crucial for our well-being as humans, it is a challenge to balance in today’s world with the modern lifestyle. Overuse of technology and the constant need for validation and dopamine can lead to an unnatural level of this hormone, leading to anxiety, addiction, and other mental health issues, according to benjo-li.medium.com. A sedentary lifestyle leads to a decrease in dopamine and also results in physical and mental problems. Chronic stress can lead to an unnatural level of dopamine, and a constant need for productivity leads to a decrease in dopamine production and burnout. People can embrace a natural dopamine high by prioritizing self-care, practicing gratitude, connecting with others, and incorporating movement into daily routine, according to revivecounselingwellness.com. Dr. Schwartz discussed the importance of finding real dopamine in conjunction with mental health.
“Healthier alternative dopamine sources can be present and more beneficial to overall health,” Dr. Schwartz said. “For example, exercise, spending time outside and satisfying relationships can all release dopamine in our brains and cause us to have a positive dopaminergic response. These healthy alternatives are important to experiences in order to train our brains to seek these out instead of unhealthy alternatives.”
Featured Image by Avery Quake ’26
