What does dopamine have to do with tolerance?

Thinking about dopamine again today… it really rules us.

Our survival systems are hardwired directly to dopamine.
It’s a key driver for all of us, as humans. 

But something that I didn’t understand before is that Dopamine does not impact “liking” or “enjoyment” so much as it does “wanting”.

Dopamine is a huge motivator for us to Go somewhere. GET something. …but that same system in the brain doesn’t care so much if that THING that we’re getting gives us joy or fulfillment. 

The giant, artificial dopamine spike that we get from alcohol is actually too much for our little neurons to handle.

The dopamine receptors in our minds like to be “tickled” by dopamine, but alcohol is more like a punch.

And the reaction in our minds—in order to protect our cells—is to shut down these receptors so they don’t get damaged. They close up shop.

This is tolerance.

And it goes a little something like this:
You drink alcohol – you get a buzz.
You drink more, but this time, your body adjusts to stay safe, and you feel less of a buzz.
You drink more still—less buzz.

Until eventually, you need a gigantic dose to feel… nothing.

There’s no enjoyment anymore.
No buzz.

But the kicker is that, if you drink nothing, you feel like sh*t.

So you’re stuck in a loop where you need to drink a BUNCH not to feel GOOD… but to feel normal.

And because your brain has turned your receptors way down to low, all of the usual things in your life that would TYPICALLY make you feel inspired & motivated… don’t even register.

Nothing sounds fun anymore.
Nothing is enjoyable without wine.

Bowling requires beer.
Brunch and mimosas.
Cocktails eventually wove their way into every activity of my life…
You can find yoga with wine now!

Anyway, just to say:
Tolerance is your body’s natural reaction to drinking alcohol.
And, if you find yourself drinking more… 

It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you.
It doesn’t mean you lack self-control or that you’re broken.

It just means that you’re human.

Watch this short video to hear my thoughts on this: https://www.instagram.com/p/C22qXFjPJt9/

Get started with my free guide: 3 STEPS to DRINK LESS!

The science of what alcohol actually does in our bodies and minds is the roadmap to self-compassion & change. 🗺️

F#ck the stigma.
Follow the science.
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