Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

BGFalcon85 t1_jeddt0w wrote

Dopamine is like a treat for your brain, and not always for things we would consider "good." The serotonin-dopamine feedback loop is the good feelings.

Anger and aggression feelings trigger adrenaline and noradrenaline/norepinephrine, but that rush of heightened awareness can also cause a dopamine response. People can get addicted to anger and aggression because of it.

526

[deleted] t1_jeeto00 wrote

[removed]

95

RockstarAgent t1_jefm4bl wrote

Does this explain people who love to have angry sex - or like to fight to then have angry makeup sex?

36

ADDeviant-again t1_jefz9k8 wrote

Partially, for sure. Psychology is pretty complex, but definitely a component.

15

WartimeHotTot t1_jegyijz wrote

It might explain why people become addicted to news/social media that enrages them but not so much to feel-good content.

13

Reinhardt56k t1_jefskq3 wrote

Forget makeup sex, have you ever had angry sex? Hands down the winner.

7

[deleted] t1_jedfqdn wrote

[removed]

48

[deleted] t1_jedghbk wrote

[removed]

−20

[deleted] t1_jedoea2 wrote

[removed]

4

[deleted] t1_jedvxa3 wrote

[removed]

4

MurkDiesel t1_jeek6r3 wrote

>People can get addicted to anger and aggression because of it

yep, they're called football players, they get business degrees and run corporations

15

whatisthishere t1_jeexdle wrote

What I’ve noticed playing football in my teen years is the kids that say they should be the quarterback, usually aren’t the best pick for that position, but they want it. Then they aren’t very bright either but they want to be a doctor or stock fund manager. They have a personality where they want the most glamorous positions.

23

More-Grocery-1858 t1_jeexy5n wrote

The ego is an effective substitute for talent in the minds of the deluded.

64

zestful_villain t1_jef6tg0 wrote

That sentence is so quotable. Props to you if thats your original.

12

More-Grocery-1858 t1_jef7geg wrote

I've been saying this in other ways for a long time, but this is the most concise I've got it.

14

heyheyitsbrent t1_jefhrqg wrote

That is a nice succinct way of framing the Dunning-Kruger effect.

7

starion832000 t1_jefbusm wrote

I love how literally everyone that causes a dopamine response in the brain can become addictive, yet Reddit blows up on me every time I suggest that guns are addictive.

1

Future_Club1171 t1_jefvzns wrote

Technically, but addictive in the same way working out, watching movies, or a book can be addictive. Basically it’s just your go to source for dopamine, but for the most part sources can be interchangeable. I.e someone who is addicted to gun could probably scratch that itch with a fps game or action movie (on a stimulus basis at least). This does differ from chemical addiction cause while the initial spark is from dopamine, the other chemical triggers makes it stick differently. If you are chemically addicted to nicotine for instance you ease it just from other stimuli, since it’s specifically the nicotine your body is missing.

4

MSeager t1_jegoi0w wrote

Yeah and with addiction vs hobby, it comes down to where you are getting that dopamine “hit” from and how much. If you have lots of places (hobbies, social interactions, pets, etc) you only need a little “hit”.

If the only thing left in your life that gives you that dopamine “hit” is say, gambling, and you need to do a lot to get the same “hit” as you used to, that’s an addiction.

4

Searloin22 t1_jeh3jhi wrote

If I had to give a singular "anger chemical" it would be glutamate.

1

DestrucoMode t1_jeg1jzi wrote

I never knew that you could actually get addicted to anger and aggression

0

BGFalcon85 t1_jeg21h8 wrote

Addictive chemicals just shortcut the process by dumping dopamine. It's the same mechanism that causes e.g. gambling addiction.

2