Opposite of Addiction is Not Sobriety its Connecting
I hope this article finds you well.
Most things do not affect me, some things are normal to me, especially our societal troubles. Confused by my corrupted government’s inability to apply common sense. I may not appear to care, my hard façade, honed over the many years depicts this. But underneath I care.
The other day I came across a video that just clicked with me. This video changed how I perceive social behavior and most of our societal problems. It describes a simple experiment using rats where observations drawn describe mammals as being creatures that desire connection. To me this explains the source of most shared societal troubles. Unfortunately, making connections is harder and harder to do. Which is why our problems are not going away.
The TED video titled “Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong” by Johann Hari, and it inspired me to write this post.
I investigated this experiment and discovered some false statements. The drug in the water was opium not morphine and it also contained sugar. The experiment was reproduced and not all rats in rat park ignored the opium spiked water. However, the majority did and to me the conclusion is clear, we desire connection. The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it’s connection. If we have no connections we seek escapism, with alternatives like sugar, drugs, alcohol, and fast food. We also spend an exorbitant amount of time on social media, games and gambling on our iphones and desktops. Anything to escape if we are not connecting.
Kids and adults spend hours on social media. Click on the famous and rich to voyeur them and dwell in jealousy. Watch Hollywood movies with typical character arcs, hoping there is a protagonist, just like in the movies, that can rise above the government malarky, overcome them and fixes things. All this in an hour and a half. Hmmm … I do not think so.
It is easy to fall by the wayside. Once you are out, that is it. Spend time in jail and the likely hood of reintegrating back into society is slim at best. Make a mistake and it can be used later in life to cancel you or denied a political positions. It is no wonder people seek escapism. In fact, there are 7 million men between the ages of 25 and 54 that are not only out of work, there not looking. A survey since has uncovered that most of them are on the internet, logging more hours than any other group. Fortunately, I am not one of them, I am 65.
Note: Just the other day, 2024-11-29 the country of Australia has banned social media from children under the age of 16. The law will make platforms Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, X (twitter) and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million U.S.) for systemic failures to prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts. Wow! Way to go Australia. I wish we could do this.
In the case for those diagnosed with mental illness it only gets worse. The mental health care system does not seem to recognize the rat park experiment. You are further isolated from making connections. Forced to take medications that distance you from reality, numbing your emotions preventing from making real connections and getting back into society. Most do not make it, including U.S. veterans that end up homeless. Homelessness makes connecting with others almost impossible. A note, 6000 veterans commit suicides yearly.
“We are a nation of immigrants,” politicians will say, and this is true. But more so, we are a nation of cultures. Most cultures and even cults are harmless and desire no ill toward others. However, there are organized crime cultures. They take from society. Most are revenge based, and consider the sons and grandsons to be liable for their ancestor’s transgressions. These cultures have a detailed understanding of human behavior and use this knowledge for their advantage, like addiction. They understand how denying or manipulating a person connection can lead to aberrant behavior like addiction and escapism.
We are a divided nation. We are placed into groups by news companies, social media, Hollywood, and U.S. corporations. The groups have boundaries, age, meritocracy, lifestyle, looks, money, politics, culture, etc. Mostly for advertising purposes. It’s all about the money, not the health of society. The division reduces our ability to make connections, so we seek escapism through excess sugar, drugs, alcohol, and fast foods. We also spend an exorbitant amount of time on social media, playing games and gambling. Feeling isolated and not making any connections just pick up your iphone or go to your desktop. Whole company’s profit systems, revolve around people’s lack of being connected. They provide addiction for you like food, drugs, social media, and gaming, as a means to escape.
This is a great quote, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it’s connection.” I believe to tackle an addiction you should concentrate on connecting with others first. If you are addicted to a drug, adding another drug to the system just will cause more problems. When connections are made the brain produces serotonin and oxytocin. The serotonin spreads to all parts of the brain and give you a sense of happiness. Oxytocin, the I have afriend drug help to ensure bonding with your new friend.
Dopamine from a drug fuels desire and motivation for more. However, if you make a connection, you also get Serotonin and Oxytocin. I believe this will overcome the addiction, from the dopamine. please review the image below. Followed by ChatGPT answer to what the brain produces.
Connecting and Brain Chemicals:
I asked ChatGPT:
Does the brain mix oxytocin and dopamine together or in sequence?
ChatGPT said:
The brain can release oxytocin and dopamine both simultaneously and in sequence, depending on the context of the interaction and the emotional or social experiences involved. Here’s how these two chemicals might interact:
Simultaneous Release
Social Bonding and Reward: In positive social interactions, especially those involving trust, affection, or mutual cooperation, the brain can release both oxytocin and dopamine at the same time. Oxytocin enhances the feeling of trust and connection, while dopamine reinforces the pleasurable aspects of the interaction, creating a powerful combination that strengthens social bonds.
Sequential Release
Initial Reward Followed by Bonding: In some scenarios, dopamine might be released first, particularly if the interaction is perceived as rewarding or enjoyable. As the interaction progresses and deepens into a more trusting or intimate connection, oxytocin is then released, solidifying the bond. For example, you might initially feel excited (dopamine) when meeting someone new, and as the conversation becomes more personal or trusting, oxytocin is released, making you feel more connected.
Interaction Between Oxytocin and Dopamine
Mutual Enhancement: Oxytocin can enhance the effects of dopamine by increasing the feeling of pleasure associated with social bonding. Conversely, dopamine can make the experience of oxytocin-induced bonding feel more rewarding, creating a feedback loop that strengthens the social connection.
Context-Dependent Timing: The timing and proportion of oxytocin and dopamine release can vary based on the context. For instance, in romantic relationships, both chemicals might be released in higher quantities and more frequently, while in casual social interactions, the release might be more subdued.
Summary
Mixing: The brain can release oxytocin and dopamine together, creating a combined effect that enhances both the pleasure (dopamine) and bonding (oxytocin) aspects of social interactions.
Sequencing: Depending on the social context, dopamine may be released first, followed by oxytocin as the interaction deepens, or they may be released together in varying amounts throughout the interaction.
The brain’s ability to either mix or sequence these chemicals allows for a flexible and dynamic response to different social situations, facilitating a wide range of emotional and social experiences.
I asked ChatGPT:
What chemicals are produced when making a connection?
ChatGPT said:
When the brain makes connections—whether it is forming a new memory, solving a problem, or understanding a concept—it releases several chemicals that play key roles in these processes. The main chemicals involved include:
- Dopamine: This neurotransmitter is associated with pleasure and reward. When you learn something new or make a connection, dopamine is often released, reinforcing the behavior, and making you feel good about learning.
- Glutamate: Glutamate is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain and plays a key role in synaptic plasticity, which is the ability of connections between neurons (synapses) to strengthen or weaken over time, based on activity. This is essential for learning and memory.
- Acetylcholine: This neurotransmitter is crucial for attention and learning. It helps to modulate the activity of neurons in areas like the hippocampus, which is important for memory formation.
- Norepinephrine: Also known as noradrenaline, this neurotransmitter enhances alertness and focus. It is involved in the “fight or flight” response but also plays a role in learning by making the brain more receptive to new information.
- Serotonin: While often associated with mood regulation, serotonin also contributes to learning and memory by influencing the synaptic plasticity of certain neurons.
- Oxytocin: Known as the “love hormone,” oxytocin is released during social bonding and interactions. It can enhance learning, especially in social contexts, by reducing anxiety and increasing trust and cooperation.
These chemicals work together to create an environment in the brain that supports learning, memory, and the formation of new neural connections.
I asked ChatGPT:
What is Oxytocins role in the brain?
ChatGPT said:
Oxytocin is another important neurotransmitter and hormone in the brain, often referred to as the “love hormone” or “bonding hormone.” It plays a significant role in social bonding, reproduction, and various emotional behaviors. Here’s a breakdown:
- Oxytocin’s Role in the Brain:
Social Bonding: Oxytocin is heavily involved in forming emotional bonds between individuals. It plays a key role in the bonding between mothers and their babies, romantic partners, and even social relationships like friendships.
Trust and Empathy: Oxytocin can increase feelings of trust and empathy, making people more likely to connect with others emotionally and form close relationships.
Stress Reduction: Oxytocin can have a calming effect, reducing stress and anxiety. It’s sometimes referred to as a “stress-relief” hormone because of its ability to lower cortisol levels (a stress hormone).
Reproductive Functions: Oxytocin is crucial during childbirth, as it stimulates uterine contractions and helps in the delivery process. It’s also important for lactation, helping to release breast milk during breastfeeding.
- Production and Regulation:
Oxytocin is produced primarily in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain, and is then released by the pituitary gland into the bloodstream and also acts directly in the brain.
It’s released in response to various stimuli, particularly those related to social interactions, physical touch, and childbirth.
- When Does the Brain Produce Oxytocin?
Physical Touch and Affection: Hugging, kissing, and other forms of physical contact can trigger the release of oxytocin. It’s a key player in the feelings of warmth and closeness that come from these interactions.
Social Interactions: Positive social experiences, like spending time with loved ones or bonding with a pet, can boost oxytocin levels.
Childbirth and Breastfeeding: Oxytocin is released in large amounts during labor to facilitate childbirth and later during breastfeeding to help with milk ejection.
Sexual Activity: Sexual intercourse can trigger oxytocin release, contributing to the emotional bonding between partners.
Acts of Kindness: Engaging in or receiving acts of kindness and cooperation can also boost oxytocin levels, reinforcing prosocial behaviors.
- Effects of Oxytocin Imbalance:
Too Much Oxytocin: While generally beneficial, high levels of oxytocin can sometimes lead to excessive emotional attachment or trust, which might not always be ideal in certain situations.
Too Little Oxytocin: Low levels of oxytocin have been linked to social difficulties, such as those seen in certain conditions like autism or social anxiety disorder, where individuals may struggle with forming emotional connections or trusting others.
Oxytocin is vital for social bonding, emotional well-being, and certain reproductive processes. It’s effects on the brain and body help facilitate human connection, making it an essential part of our social and emotional lives.
Summary:
“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it’s connection.”
I feel making connections should be primary goal for addictions.
Dopamine fuels desire and motivation to 5 brain receptors. Fuels repeat behavior.
Serotonin spreads happyness signals throughout 14 brain receptors.
Oxytocin, the I have a friend drug, plays a significant role in social bonding, reproduction, and various emotional behaviors.