3 ms·
Note: This is likely not as neat an analogy/example as I would like, but it seems relevant. I used to be an actual heroin addict, many many years ago. Finding
by girvo 7y ago
Note: This is likely not as neat an analogy/example as I would like, but it seems relevant.
I used to be an actual heroin addict, many many years ago. Finding the next hit every day/every couple of days was nearly as satisfying as the actual rush of the drug itself.
In fact, this effect was so powerful, that the "come thru" message from my dealer, and driving over to his, would make my withdrawal symptoms subside nearly entirely, well before I'd actually taken the drug.
Brains are crazy.
- rosser 7y agoI imagine you saw a bit of a dopamine spike when that message came in. Was it enough to mitigate the physical symptoms at all, or was that purely mental, I wonder?
- girvo 7y agoGenuinely mitigated the runny nose, aches and pains in my back, etc.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- bloopernova 7y agoI wish I could trick my stupid brain like that. (not saying that your brain is somehow easier to trick than mine or whatever. My brain is just stupidly stubborn when it comes to feeling pain) I'm really very deeply glad you kicked that habit and killed the dragon. This internet stranger is rooting for you :)
- ehnto 7y agoIt's mental either way.
- Balgair 7y ago> In fact, this effect was so powerful, that the "come thru" message from my dealer, and driving over to his, would make my withdrawal symptoms subside nearly entirely, well before I'd actually taken the drug. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reward_system#Anatomy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reward_system#Anatomy Though I've not read any articles on heroin or these long lengths of time specifically, opitates are known to have these anticipatory responses in the brain like the one you describe. Brains are indeed totally crazy.