Dopamine...

[Jonn]

Odds&ends regarding dopamine.

Caffeine increases the amount of dopamine in our brain by blocking its reabsorption into our bodies. It doesn't increase the amount of dopamine our bodies make, but it slows the rate at which dopamine leaves our brains and returns to our bodies.

 

[Magna]

^ Interesting. I'm forever chasing the dopamine and caffeine plays an important, albeit well regulated, part in my life.

 

[Jonn]

^ I am snookered again, due to my sensitivity to caffeine in this case.
"Why is life so unkind?"

 

[Neri]

^ I am snookered again, due to my sensitivity to caffeine in this case.
"Why is life so unkind?"

<friendly emoji>

 

[Outdated]

I also find it interesting. I drink quite a lot of coffee and I smoke a lot of dope. Does this mean I'm some kind of dopamine junky?

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Caffeine also activates the release of glutamate, which, is an excitatory neurotransmitter. Part of that "stimulant" effect. Having said that, many autism variants are low in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) the inhibitory neurotransmitter that breaks down glutamate within the synaptic spaces. Excessive glutamate/insufficient GABA can be an underlying cause of repetitive thoughts and actions, "stimming" for example, or difficulties transitioning from one thought or action to the next.

Obviously, some people will be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others, but I suspect that more people with an underlying autism condition may be particularly sensitive in terms of their thought and behavior patterns, even if they aren't getting the increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and "jitters".

The increased dopamine may be a benefit for those same autistics with poor dopamine turnover and an underlying depression though. It's one thing to drink coffees and teas, drinks with relatively low levels of caffeine, but some caution when it comes to some of those so-called "energy drinks" with 160-300mg of caffeine.

Interestingly, the addition of L-theanine, say a 100-200mg dose, with your coffee or tea will have the effect of (1) lowering the overall peak in caffeine level, but also (2) lengthening the time of the stimulation. Instead of having a short-term "high" and then a quick drop off, you have a long-term "moderate" effect.

 

[Outdated]

Obviously, some people will be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others, but I suspect that more people with an underlying autism condition may be particularly sensitive in terms of their thought and behavior patterns, even if they aren't getting the increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and "jitters".

Cups of coffee have very little effect on me, they trick my body in to creating a wave of heat and that's about it. I quite often enjoy a coffee before going to bed and I nearly always sleep well.

When I was working long nightshifts for a newspaper someone got me to try one of those No-Doze tablets and that was terrible. I felt like I was coming down off of speed, more tired than ever but unable to sleep. I found the best thing for keeping me awake and alert was sugar, a packet of Minties did the trick.

 

[thejuice]

Cups of coffee have very little effect on me, they trick my body in to creating a wave of heat and that's about it. I quite often enjoy a coffee before going to bed and I nearly always sleep well.

When I was working long nightshifts for a newspaper someone got me to try one of those No-Doze tablets and that was terrible. I felt like I was coming down off of speed, more tired than ever but unable to sleep. I found the best thing for keeping me awake and alert was sugar, a packet of Minties did the trick.

View attachment 134023

Mum used to have to have mint polos for ADHD, not sure it's backed by dentists though

 

[thejuice]

Caffeine also activates the release of glutamate, which, is an excitatory neurotransmitter. Part of that "stimulant" effect. Having said that, many autism variants are low in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) the inhibitory neurotransmitter that breaks down glutamate within the synaptic spaces. Excessive glutamate/insufficient GABA can be an underlying cause of repetitive thoughts and actions, "stimming" for example, or difficulties transitioning from one thought or action to the next.

Obviously, some people will be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others, but I suspect that more people with an underlying autism condition may be particularly sensitive in terms of their thought and behavior patterns, even if they aren't getting the increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and "jitters".

The increased dopamine may be a benefit for those same autistics with poor dopamine turnover and an underlying depression though. It's one thing to drink coffees and teas, drinks with relatively low levels of caffeine, but some caution when it comes to some of those so-called "energy drinks" with 160-300mg of caffeine.

Interestingly, the addition of L-theanine, say a 100-200mg dose, with your coffee or tea will have the effect of (1) lowering the overall peak in caffeine level, but also (2) lengthening the time of the stimulation. Instead of having a short-term "high" and then a quick drop off, you have a long-term "moderate" effect.

The only coffee I enjoy is the first one of the morning. It's the only thing that motivates me out of bed, I'm guessing dopamine is at an all time low in morning.

The afternoon coffee is always an anticlimax and I find all additional coffees have a diminishing excitement to anxiety ratio. CBD can take the edge off slightly. I'll try L-Theanine. I might swap the afternoon one to a decaf, could make the morning coffee even better!

One thing I noticed at autistic meet ups was how many coffee addicts there were. Should have gone up to them and said.."Excess glutamate too, amirite?"

I understand why I acted so crazy when pulling work all nighters at college on 6 red bulls (duh surprise lol). They could accurately call it 'Anxiety' drink or maybe 'Obsessive' drink.

However 'Energy' drink it was, a far sexier and cool sales pitch, and perhaps vague enough to get around the trade descriptions act. I got on a BMX but all I got was a stitch..

 

[thejuice]

I also find it interesting. I drink quite a lot of coffee and I smoke a lot of dope. Does this mean I'm some kind of dopamine junky?

You might find the book 'Dopamine Nation' an interesting read.

You can even get dopamine addicted to this forum

 

[Au Naturel]

I believe that some people are vulnerable to that kind of dopamine addiction, if it can be called an addiction. (Might be more of an induced OCD response.) Others are not so vulnerable. The variation probably depends on some combination of nurture and nature.

I have known a couple of compulsive gamblers. As far as I could tell, the excitement was all in the anticipation of the next casino run, a crescendo that built right up to the gambling. The gambling itself looked more stressful than pleasurable. Losing does that to a guy, I suppose. However, the pain of losing never quite matched the excitement of thinking about winning. No lesson was learned.

One could say that compulsive gamblers are irrationally optimistic.

 

[Neri]

This whole thread gets an <informative emoji> from me.

 

[Jonn]

This whole thread gets an <informative emoji> from me.

 

[Jonn]

 

[Jonn]

^ Thankfully, I am not addicted to "Bliss".

 

[SusanLR]

Addicted to love...

 

[Jonn]

Addicted to love...

Thanks for the video.
Informative and very relevant to me personally.

After a break up:
"I needed a friend to lean on" to help with the agonizing loss.
Thank you friendship-oxytocin.

"Love"...
Be warned...
Handle with care...

 

[Mr. Stevens]

Addicted to love...

This isn't directed at you, Susan. I've just found this an odd topic over the years, so linked to your post.

I read a similar article recently, which said love was related to the "addiction" part of our brains. I found it interesting that they didn't think addiction was related to the "love" part of our brain. People connect to addictions because they can't connect to themselves or other people. We are made to attach. Addiction is just a poor substitute for real acceptance and validation.

The focus people have on dopamine and other brain chemicals just seems like a way of invalidating experience to have control over ourselves. Earlier people understood themselves through nature, balance, logos (Heraclitus), or the Way (Dao). We tend to see ourselves through machines, which isn't very logical. Just a sign we are very conditioned by technology.

Related to that, I'm always amazed in our "tech"-driven time that no one talks about Marshall McLuhan. The fact that Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan get more attention is depressing. But, maybe Tik Tok just has to discover McLuhan.

 

[Jonn]

The focus people have on dopamine and other brain chemicals just seems like a way of invalidating experience to have control over ourselves. Earlier people understood themselves through nature, balance, logos (Heraclitus), or the Way (Dao). We tend to see ourselves through machines, which isn't very logical.

Some say we are simply "Meat Machines".
But even if the concept has "Legs", it doesn't invalidate the very real feelings we, erm, feel...

 

[SusanLR]

Understanding the brain's reaction to the different chemicals our bodies create is an interesting subject and very useful.

It's a good thing to know when understanding why antidepressants are meant to do what they do. SSRI's, Tricyclics, MAO inhibitors and even those that increase dopamine. Noradrenaline is also one of the chemicals certain antidepressants affect.
Duloxetine is one of the latest that is also supposed to help neuropathic nerve pain.

These are the ways medicine is jiggling with us in these areas.
I prefer the more natural ways of balance also @Mr. Stevens .
I've used guided imagery, meditation, if bound in the house there are many TV channels now which show only relaxing nature scenes and sounds.

@Jonn: Meat machines? I like the old term meat suits.