The Molecule of More - Book Summary

Unravel the molecule that defines us

What distinctively defines the essence of being human? Could it be our aspirations, the creativity that spawns from our imagination, or our inherent desires and ambitions? It's not a straightforward question to answer, however, there's a fundamental certainty. Whatever the answer may be, it revolves around a tiny, brain-derived molecule — Dopamine.

Although produced by only one out of two thousand neurons, this miraculous molecule has profound effects on our behaviors and thinking patterns. The influence of Dopamine spans across the spectrum of our human experiences — from understanding the pathways of addiction and recovery, the euphoria of falling in love, to the thin line between insanity and brilliance.

To truly appreciate the role of this molecule in our lives, this narrative merges insights from diverse fields of psychology, neuroscience, and sociology. This enlightening journey of exploration will allow you to grasp the incredible might and potential dangers of Dopamine.

Embarking on this journey, you’ll discover —

- the reasons passionate romances can't maintain their initial intensity,

- why liberals and conservatives often seem to speak different languages, and

- why taking a break from our regular dose of dopamine might be a good idea.

Meet Dopamine: The architect of our desires

If your past encounters with Dopamine have left you thinking of it as the brain's joy-triggering compound, you're not alone. Since the moment Kathleen Montagu pinpointed Dopamine's presence in the human brain in 1957, it swiftly earned the reputation of the "pleasure molecule". This designation was influenced by the undeniable ecstasy humans experience when Dopamine sways our neural activities.

Further investigations demonstrated an intriguing pattern—Dopamine activity peaked when rats received appetizing meals. This led to the labeling of the brain regions involved in this process as the dopamine reward circuit. However, as straightforward as this term may sound, it's actually an oversimplification that neglects Dopamine's multi-faceted nature.

The key takeaway from this is that Dopamine is essentially the molecule of possibilities.

You see, Dopamine isn't obsessed with savory meals, or anything predictable for that matter. Rather, Dopamine is aroused by elements that are fresh, unanticipated, and thrilling. The surprise factor is directly proportional to Dopamine's release — the bigger the surprise, the stronger the Dopamine surge, and the more intense our pleasure. This dopamine-induced ecstasy intensifies when we encounter a reward prediction error— when reality turns out to be better than our expectations.

Imagine the rush you feel when you find extra money in your bank account that you weren't anticipating. That's the Dopamine rush!

Recently, researchers proposed that our brains categorize the world into two domains: near and far. Anything within our immediate physical scope—things we can touch, see, feel—constitute the 'near' domain. The 'far' domain, on the other hand, encapsulates everything beyond our direct reach—both literally and metaphorically.

The magic of Dopamine lies in its power to ignite our excitement about elements in the 'far' domain, spurring us to chase them. This molecule stirs up the hunter's zeal to capture a rarely seen beast, motivates the office worker to pursue a highly sought-after promotion, and tempts the shopper to splurge on that sleek, high-performance car.

This intricate design of Dopamine resonates with our evolutionary past. Because the sustenance we currently possess is already within our grasp, it's the prospect of the sustenance we don't have that could dictate our survival. That's the ultimate purpose Dopamine serves — to propel us towards our dreams.

The role of Dopamine in love's intoxicating dance

For anyone who's ever been in love, it's hardly a surprise that the experience can make you feel high. It's as if you're floating, intoxicated, euphoric, thanks to a love-induced dopamine high. With the anticipation of a blossoming relationship come countless exciting prospects, each triggering a surge of dopamine. And therein lies the intoxicating sensation of feeling head over heels in love.

However, there lies an inherent problem within this enchanting dance of love. Relationships can't retain their novelty forever. Once the initial novelty fades, the dopamine rush evaporates with it. Anthropologist Helen Fisher postulates that the exhilarating phase of a new romance lasts between 12 to 18 months. Once this phase wanes, many couples hit a snag, sensing a void in their relationship. The dopamine high that once was, is no more.

Here's the key takeaway: Dopamine is not just the cupid that kindles love, but also the force that can extinguish its flame.

As the dopamine high recedes, some individuals part ways, seeking the thrill of a new relationship, while others indulge in daydreams of an exhilarating, fresh romance. Driven by the relentless pursuit of dopamine, the quest for newer, more exciting experiences never ends. There's substantial evidence suggesting that individuals with naturally high levels of dopamine activity tend to have more sexual partners, a higher propensity to infidelity, and are less likely to settle into matrimony.

Even those with typical dopamine activity can find it challenging to sustain enthusiasm within an established relationship.

Does that mean love is doomed to wither? Not quite. Remember, the intoxicating romance is but one phase of love. Building a strong bond with someone transitions us to the next stage — the stage of companionate love. This stage is characterized by a mutual appreciation for your partner's presence in day-to-day life. Though less exhilarating than passionate romance, companionate love provides a more stable and fulfilling companionship. Unlike dopamine-dependent love, companionate love is fostered by a different set of brain chemicals.

The authors categorize these chemicals as 'here and now' or 'H and N' chemicals. You might be familiar with some of these substances, such as serotonin, endorphins, oxytocin, and endocannabinoids. These molecules fuel our enjoyment of the present moment, like indulging in a sumptuous meal, appreciating a stunning sunset, or engaging in intimate physical contact. The neural circuits producing these 'H and N' chemicals not only rival, but can also suppress dopamine production. For instance, in a stable, long-term relationship, your brain churns out less dopamine but more 'H and N' chemicals like oxytocin. In contrast, when you're madly in love, your serotonin levels take a dip.

The collision of addictive substances with our dopamine system breeds disastrous results

Ever found yourself in a quandary, contemplating why you succumbed to purchasing yet another unnecessary outfit? Well, the crux of the matter is that desiring an object doesn't necessarily translate into deriving pleasure from it.

As we've explored before, our brain orchestrates completely distinct circuits to generate desire and satisfaction.

The circuit responsible for desire is powered by dopamine. This neurotransmitter drives our wants, whether it's related to food, sex, or that eye-catching pair of shoes gleaming through the store window. Yet, dopamine isn't concerned with whether we will actually find joy in our desire's object or whether the object will yield long-term benefits.

The central point here is: Addictive substances overload our dopamine system, wreaking havoc with our neural balance.

Substances such as alcohol, cocaine, and opioids can trigger an unparalleled dopamine explosion. This explains why these substances induce such profound pleasure and why they are notoriously addictive. However, when the dopamine activity skyrockets beyond natural boundaries, it inevitably plummets to unnaturally low levels. This drastic drop can throw our brains into a frenzy, as they desperately yearn for another dopamine rush.

Defying popular belief, individuals who resort to narcotics don't grow dependent on the unique chemical high of a specific drug. Indeed, the chemical high dissipates rapidly. What remains incessantly alluring is the dopamine high. When individuals choose a destructive drug habit over relationships, career, and family, their dopamine-addicted brains perceive this choice as perfectly rational.

Unfortunately, in the context of drug use, the proximity of the desire circuit to our memory system works against us. Our brains excel at recalling every minute detail associated with our dopamine highs.

This trait served us well in our evolutionary past. Envision a hunter-gatherer stumbling upon a bush laden with succulent berries. This delightful surprise triggers a dopamine rush, imprinting the memory in the brain. The next time the hunter-gatherer encounters a similar bush, her brain releases dopamine in anticipation, stoking her excitement about a potential food source.

Analogous events transpire in individuals who abuse drugs. They establish strong associations with situations linked to drug use. These associations bear such potency that Alcoholics Anonymous cautions its members about three primary relapse triggers: people, places, and things.

The question arises, how does our brain counter dopamine's addictive allure? Interestingly, as we'll delve into next, it uses a healthy dose of dopamine itself!

A balancing act: Dopamine in control restrains our dopamine-fueled desires

Our brain utilizes dopamine for a wide array of purposes, one of which is to incite cravings for substances, experiences, or possessions. Fortuitously, this isn't the only role of dopamine. We've evolved a mechanism that mitigates our dopamine-driven desires, helping maintain equilibrium. Visualize it as a safety valve, surprisingly driven by dopamine itself—termed the dopamine control circuit.

This system entails our frontal lobes, the brain's domain where logical thinking resides. This region orchestrates planning, strategizing, and envisioning the future. Despite the desire and control circuits being fueled by the identical molecule, their functions diverge dramatically. The former instigates desires, while the latter aids in fulfilling them.

The takeaway point is: Dopamine in control reins in our dopamine-induced desires.

Let's take a scenario—you wish to purchase a car. Should you let the desire dopamine assume absolute control, you'd dash to the nearest car dealership and snap up the first automobile that catches your eye. Yet, the power of control dopamine prevents such rash impulses. It encourages you to compare prices, consider features, and plan carefully before making a financial commitment. Fascinatingly, control dopamine even amplifies your enjoyment of this future-focused planning process.

Studies show a direct correlation between the quantity of dopamine coursing through our brain and the effort we exert in achieving our desires.

Recall the laboratory rats we discussed previously? Scientists observed that a healthy rat would activate a food-dispensing machine by pressing a lever around a thousand times in 30 minutes. However, rats administered a dopamine-suppressing drug resorted to the lever almost half as frequently.

There's another crucial detail. The machine didn't dispense food with each lever press—the rats had to strive for it. The labor intensifies, the motivation of dopamine-deficient rats waned. When the requirement escalated to 64 presses per food pellet, the rats abandoned their efforts.

While scientists have never subjected humans to dopamine depletion, they've discerned that dopamine control systems exhibit varying activity levels in different individuals. People grappling with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), for instance, seem to possess less active dopamine control systems. Consequently, they struggle with impulsivity, succumb to distractions, and find it challenging to sustain focus.

On the other hand, individuals with highly active dopamine control systems tend to be intellectual, ambitious, and overachievers. They exhibit lesser emotional reactivity, allowing them to maintain composure during stressful situations. But there's a catch: an excess of control dopamine inhibits their ability to derive pleasure from their accomplishments.

In the upcoming segment, we'll delve deeper into the rewards and risks of an overabundance of dopamine.

Unleashing creativity or igniting psychiatric disorders: The dual nature of dopamine

Control dopamine fuels our brain's ability to strategize, imagine, and devise plans. The objective? To enhance our future, propelling it beyond the present conditions. However, this ambitious endeavor often necessitates stepping outside the comfort zone and forging innovative connections between seemingly unrelated elements.

This is where the magic of creativity emerges. Creativity is the capacity to fabricate unique connections.

It's observed that artists, musicians, and writers generally possess brains brimming with dopamine. This dopamine richness permits them to think in unprecedented, non-conventional ways, leading to the conception of never-before-seen connections.

Yet, dopamine's creative potency harbors a dark side. When dopamine activity spirals out of control, it can induce hallucinations, delusions, or even mania. This is a common occurrence among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

The essential insight is: Dopamine can spawn a creative genius, a psychiatric ailment, or sometimes, both.

If we were to compare professional artists, musicians, and writers with individuals from disparate industries, we'd discover that creative professionals are more prone to possess risk genes associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Moreover, individuals suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder often generate phenomenal art during episodes of illness.

What's the connection between creativity and mental illness? Once again, the answer appears to be: dopamine.

A characteristic symptom of schizophrenia, for instance, is delusions. Schizophrenic individuals often harbor the conviction that they're under surveillance or manipulation. How does dopamine engender such fantastical beliefs?

The explanation can be found in the psychological construct called salience. Salience quantifies the extent to which we perceive something as personally significant. Dopamine excels at generating salience. Recall the hunter-gatherer who discovered a bush laden with berries? The hungrier she is, the more intense the dopamine activity when she beholds the bush. This dopamine surge convinces her that the berries hold vital importance for her survival.

However, when dopamine functionality falters, suddenly, everything acquires an overwhelming sense of importance. Suppose you're watching the news. A reporter discusses the nuclear program. Suddenly, your salience dopamine flares up—and your brain weaves a connection. You're now convinced that this nuclear program holds personal relevance for you.

Excessive dopamine can convince individuals that random elements bear immense significance to them. This constitutes the foundation of schizophrenic delusions.

Interestingly, many of us have personally experienced dopamine's peculiar creative prowess. This neurotransmitter becomes hyperactive during sleep, resulting in dreams often constituting an unusual melange of seemingly disconnected elements.

The impact of dopamine on our political inclinations

Back in 2002, researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University unveiled a study exploring the relationship between personality traits and political affiliations. The findings seemingly corroborated widely held academic assumptions. Liberals were painted as social butterflies and philanthropists, while conservatives leaned toward impulsivity and authoritarian tendencies.

Yet, fourteen years later, researchers conceded they'd inadvertently swapped the data sets. As it turns out, liberals were the ones exhibiting impulsivity, authoritarian streaks, and a penchant for sensation-seeking, while conservatives were sociable and generous.

Despite this mix-up, the fundamental question begs to be addressed: How can such tendencies be explained? Once more, we turn to dopamine for answers.

The crucial takeaway here is: Dopamine levels can influence our political ideologies.

Liberals are often novelty-seekers; they hunger for progress. Both of these traits are associated with dopamine. On the other hand, conservatives often prioritize present concerns. They value practicality and demonstrate an aversion for novelty. These traits are driven by 'here and now' chemicals, a concept we've explored earlier.

Backing this connection, research links liberalism to slightly higher IQ levels. In one study, participants identifying as "very liberal" averaged an IQ score of 106, while self-proclaimed conservatives scored an average of 95 on the IQ scale.

But this doesn't imply that liberals are inherently more intelligent. An IQ test only measures a single form of intelligence — abstract thinking. This trait, akin to artistic creativity, is a product of dopamine.

Conservative brains, it appears, are more attuned to 'here and now' brain chemicals. Their thoughts tend to be centered on immediate concerns. They appreciate practical solutions over abstract strategies and tend to be wary of change.

This could shed light on why conservatives often reject liberal policies favoring the impoverished, yet generously donate to charities. It might also explain why conservatives are more likely to get married and indulge in sex less frequently than their dopamine-fueled liberal counterparts.

But remember, our brain's dopamine and 'here and now' chemicals levels aren't static. Both scientists and politicians can manipulate these. For instance, numerous political campaigns promulgate conservative agendas by triggering fear—a potent 'here and now' emotion that stifles the 'liberal' dopamine. Conversely, research shows that when people engage in dopamine-dependent abstract thinking, they become more receptive to liberal viewpoints. This suggests that our political beliefs, much like our brain chemistry, aren't rigidly fixed.

Dopamine: The conqueror of worlds

Dopamine is a powerful motivator that fuels our cravings for novel experiences. The more receptors our brains possess for this potent chemical, the more profound its influence on our behaviors.

This might explain why individuals bearing a particular variant of the DRD4 gene, which is responsible for coding dopamine receptors, often exhibit higher risk-taking tendencies, adventurous spirits, and a voracious appetite for learning. Globally, approximately 20 percent of people possess this gene variation, known as DRD4-7R.

Here's an intriguing facet: the distribution of this gene vastly differs from region to region. In North America, 32 percent of the population carry it. Contrastingly, an impressive 69 percent of indigenous South Americans bear this gene.

To unravel this mystery, let's journey back to the genesis of the human species.

The essential insight to remember is: Dopamine enabled humans to conquer the world.

Modern humans emerged in Africa roughly 200,000 years ago. However, several millennia elapsed before they started spreading across the globe. They arrived in Asia about 75,000 years ago, reached Europe approximately 30,000 years later, and finally settled in North America's farthest corners around 14,000 years ago.

When researchers juxtaposed these migration patterns against the distribution of the 7R gene variation, they uncovered an astonishing correlation: the further human populations had journeyed from Africa, the higher the percentage of 7R carriers.

It appears that the world's conquerors profited from heightened dopamine activity. This isn't surprising — being adventurous and risk-taking would undoubtedly be advantageous when voyaging into unexplored territories.

There's evidence suggesting that people in America exhibit higher dopamine levels than those in Asian or European societies. For instance, the US reports the highest rate of bipolar disorder worldwide, affecting over 4 percent of the population. Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric condition directly linked to elevated dopamine activity. In Japan — a nation with negligible immigration — this disorder affects a mere 0.7 percent of the population.

So why are American populations riddled with heightened dopamine levels? Perhaps it's because the US is primarily a nation of immigrants — individuals audacious enough to embark on a journey into a new world.

Indeed, outsiders often perceive Americans as overly optimistic, entrepreneurial, and restless. In his classic nineteenth-century book 'Democracy in America,' French author Alexis de Tocqueville dedicated an entire chapter to exploring the "fanatical enthusiasm" of Americans.

Discovering joy in the equilibrium between dopamine's thrill and the tranquility of present-focused neurotransmitters

Dopamine is the catalyst for our ambitions, our perseverance, our creative zest, and even shapes our political perspectives. For many of us, these are defining traits of our personalities. Consequently, among the myriad of brain chemicals, we relate most intensely with dopamine.

However, it's intriguing that dopamine constitutes a relatively small portion of our brain chemicals. Several aspects of our personality aren't influenced by dopamine at all. And yet, we often perceive life through a dopamine-centric lens.

This can be an empowering approach. Dopamine prompts us to yearn for more, pushing us ahead. Eons ago, this was pivotal for our survival. However, in today's world, more doesn't always equate to better, and moving forward isn't synonymous with finding happiness.

The critical lesson is: Happiness stems from achieving a balance between dopamine-induced thrills and the tranquility offered by present-focused neurotransmitters.

Contemporary society endorses a dopamine-fueled lifestyle. We are conditioned to incessantly aspire for more — more accomplishments, more entertainment, more consumption. Globally, this ideology has already triggered catastrophic implications. For instance, our relentless pace of production and consumption has accelerated climate change into a horrifying reality.

On a personal level, it's increasingly evident that happiness can't be attained through progressively longer working hours, extravagant consumption, or an inability to value our existing possessions. Regrettably, our brain didn't evolve with the sole purpose of making us happy — its primary goal is to ensure our survival. This explains why its response to dopamine — the molecule of desire, is so intense. Consequently, seeking happiness becomes a constant endeavor.

The pathway to living a fulfilling, happy life lies in striking a balance between the demands of forward-focused dopamine and the tranquility offered by present-oriented neurotransmitters. This necessitates stepping off the treadmill of ceaseless dopamine stimulation and making a conscious effort to revel in the quieter, albeit more elusive, enjoyment stemming from present-focused neurotransmitters.

One effective strategy to attain this balance involves pursuing a hobby that stimulates both types of brain chemicals. Engaging in sports, cooking, gardening, or crafts can combine the sensory inputs from present-focused neurotransmitters with the dopamine-driven compulsion to formulate plans and achieve progress.

Hence, if we can locate the perfect equilibrium between dopamine and present-focused neurotransmitters, we can harmonize motivation with satisfaction, stimulation with enjoyment, and progress with peace.

Summing it all up

The essential insight to remember:

Dopamine, the brain chemical associated with desire, stimulates our aspirations, ignites our creativity, and propels our plans for the future. It significantly impacts love, addiction, innovation, and even political views. The more active an individual's dopamine system, the more inclined they are to seek novelty, embrace risks, and demonstrate curiosity. However, an excess of dopamine can obstruct our pursuit of happiness. To lead a fulfilling life, we must strike a balance between the forward-focused dopamine and the present-focused neurotransmitters that emphasize being in the 'here and now'.