Did you know that there is a biochemical explanation to how substance-abuse can kill dreams? There are two valuable things in our brains, that if disrupted, or destroyed, we biologically become incapable of achieving our dreams; And substance-abuse is infamous for their destruction. On the previous article, I talked about greed being a dream killer and a great source of grief. Today, I pivoted to substance-abuse, and you’re in for a treat.
Substance abuse is an uncontrolled consumption of alcohol or drugs. The habit often leads to the detriment of relationships, reputation, job loss, and worst of all, our physical and mental health. The part where a person’s health is negatively affected is going to be our focus for how dreams are murdered by this lifestyle. Our brain’s biological state is the first to be affected by substance abuse.
Two chemicals in the brain are highly responsible for helping us to chase our dreams. These two are called dopamine, and glutamate. The term used to refer to them is neurotransmitters. That is exactly what they do. They transmit information between neurons, (our brain cells).
Neurotransmitter description
Dopamine is a pleasure, reward, and motivational neurotransmitter. The brain region associated with this function is the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA). It reinforces behavior because the sensations feel rewarding. And when you enjoy something, you tend to repeat that activity. Hence, you may repeatedly consume certain foods, spend time with specific social circles, or take drugs. Fundamentally, you keep going for it because it feels good. More than a pleasure transmitter, dopamine is a motivator. It tells the brain that it is time to focus because something is important, for instance, when an idea comes to mind.
Then we have glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter (basically, an enabler agent). It works with over 90% of neural pathways in the brain. However, it is heavily concentrated in two regions: the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC); the hub for high-level cognitive functions; And the hippocampus. In the prefrontal cortex, glutamate facilitates neuro-signaling required for planning and problem-solving. The second region, the hippocampus, serves as the hub for learning and memorization. In this region, glutamate is responsible for strengthening long-lasting connections between brain cells through a process known as long-term potentiation. Practically, this is how long-term memory is formed.
Neuroreceptors description
On the surface of neurons, dopamine and glutamate bind to specific receptors. Dopamine binds to D1 and D2 receptors. D1 is the receptor that tells the neuron to turn the volume up. Basically, it enables the neurons to increase activity, which for instance helps with excitement felt when a person has a great idea. D2 on the other hand, tells the neuron to slow down. By slowing down, this helps us to switch attention from one important and exciting thought to another. If D2 was not present, you would not be able to switch from thinking about business goals to listening to what your child has to say, if they engaged you in the middle of your ideation. Maybe this is why self-obsessed people only get excited about conversations if they are about them, and not the other person.
Then glutamate has receptors called Alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, which are responsible for the initial quick recognition of information/sensory input. E.G., recognizing that there is a knock on the door. In terms of an idea, it tells us to recognize the thought. Glutamate cells with AMPA receptors also have N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are responsible for thinking about the idea. When the AMPA receptor opens up, from within the cell, it tells the NMDA receptor to open up as well. This allows glutamate signals to go into the cell. Inside the cell, they instruct the biochemical structure to strengthen the message brought by the neurotransmitter.
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