17 march 2025 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau): Many aren’t aware that dopamine plays a crucial role in our mental health. While there are several positive sides of dopamine, including motivation, learning, memory, and controlling movement, it can lead to negative thoughts and can be harmful in the long term. Have you noticed how people have become impatient and hardly complete a movie or series they started watching?
The feel-good dopamine rush, aka the happy hormone is the real cause for it. Social media browsing, likes, comments, and even impulsive buying and binge eating are common sources of this dopamine. We are trapped in a vicious circle of fleeting pleasure because of instant gratification. However, this does not benefit us in the long run because dopamine spikes gradually subside, which negatively impacts mental health.
Recently, Nishtha Jain, a Counseling psychologist at the mental health platform Lissun, told the Hindustan Times, “Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is associated with the brain’s reward system, as soon as we find something pleasurable or rewarding, the brain releases dopamine and sends a signal to the brain that this feels amazing.”
She further added that the flooding of dopamine in the brain is the quick emotional payoff that an individual receives after doing something that they and their brain would perceive as positive.
It can seem simple to wind down and relax with instant dopamine. It’s crucial to understand the various negative aspects of this immediate dopamine surge before it becomes a supply of delusional dopamine.
According to the expert, the availability and nature of a dopamine rush can also lead to low emotional resilience. Since it is more convenient to have things at the click of a finger, individuals would not tolerate everyday challenges or discomfort.
“Instant dopamine can also cause unhealthy behaviours like overspending or procrastination. Ultimately, the inner desire to work towards long-term goals diminishes in the background, and instant dopamine takes the front stage,” she added.
She suggested that instead of pursuing short-lived pleasures, people might concentrate on developing habits that lead to long-term fulfilment. After the activity, you will feel better about yourself and experience positive emotional reactions.
Summary: Dopamine, while boosting happiness, can lead to negative mental health effects and unhealthy behaviors due to the pursuit of instant gratification.