Posted by linkadge on August 19, 2004, at 15:53:10
In reply to dopamine expectation, posted by Waki on August 19, 2004, at 9:11:17
Dopamine can facilitate repetitive and tedious tasks. Dopamine can facilitate ordered and structured thinking. But the problem is this. Dopamine at one receptor may be beneficial and dopamine at another receptor may be detrimental. It is really not the chemical, but the receptor that determines the action.
There are two types of motivation in my mind. Motivation to do things we enjoy, and motivation to do things we have to do.
Depressed people tend to lact the motivation to do both. Non depressed ADHD people can generally focus and concentrate on the things they enjoy, but have a hard time enduring things that don't interest them.
But it tends to be more complex that just one chemical. For instance SSRI's can greatly improve motivation, serotonin plays a big role in motivation, probably just as much as dopamine.
Too much dopamine and too little serotonin can make people introverted, antisocial, and just plain grumpy.
To say that taking a dopaminergic is going to do this or that for you is really impossible. It depends on your own biochemistry. For me, dopminergics make me irritable, obstinant, and self centered. this may be completely different for you.
Even cocaine has effects on other systems. For instance if you block the serotonin 5-ht1a receptor then mice derive much less pleasure and motivation from cocaine. Cocaine effects other neurotransmitter systems as well.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:379391
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040817/msgs/379547.html