For millions of
years, emotions and feelings have driven the human species to its pinnacle. The
emotion of fear has kept us away from danger, the emotion of happiness has made
us prosper and the emotions of love have made us care for our young ones. But
what if all these emotions are just chemicals which could be replicated by
humans, artificially?
Dopamine is a
neurotransmitter. What is a neurotransmitter? In simple terms, these are chemical
substances which act as a mode of communication between the neurons in our
brain. Dopamine is also called as the “Feel-Good hormone” as it makes us happy,
euphoric and motivated. Whenever we complete a task, like finishing a race or
getting good marks in an exam, we feel happy as our brain rewards us by
releasing dopamine.
A similar neurotransmitter is anandamide, which makes us feel blissful and also reduces stress and anxiety.
A similar neurotransmitter is anandamide, which makes us feel blissful and also reduces stress and anxiety.
All these
chemicals, when released in our brains, makes us display emotions. But we don’t
have control over a particular emotion. We can’t say to our brain to be happy
when we fail an exam or when we lose a loved one. But there are ways by which
we can “artificially” release those chemicals in our brains to simulate an
emotion we desire.
C17H21NO4 is a chemical, which when artificially taken,
enhances the effects of dopamine in our brains. What it is usually does is that
causes an accumulation of dopamine in our brain by preventing its removal,
causing elevated levels of happiness and euphoria. Another chemical
substance similar to anandamide is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).
But perhaps one of the most consequential chemical drugs are psychedelic drugs. They trigger a hallucinatory experience but also fires the neurons in our brains rapidly, resulting in enhanced creative thinking and increased cognitive performance. They are strongly tied with serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in producing emotions like happiness and affecting learning processes. Many influential thinkers like Steve Jobs, Alan Watts and Aldous Huxley have credited the use of psychedelic drugs for enhancing their creative ability.
But perhaps one of the most consequential chemical drugs are psychedelic drugs. They trigger a hallucinatory experience but also fires the neurons in our brains rapidly, resulting in enhanced creative thinking and increased cognitive performance. They are strongly tied with serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in producing emotions like happiness and affecting learning processes. Many influential thinkers like Steve Jobs, Alan Watts and Aldous Huxley have credited the use of psychedelic drugs for enhancing their creative ability.
Hence, we see that there are chemical drugs which can either alter our
emotions or change the way we think. So, in a way we are saying that we are
“hacking” our brain to get the best output.
The consequences of these artificial methods of altering emotional
behaviour are still a subject of debate. Overdosing on these chemical drugs can
be fatal, leading to heart problems, brain damage and even depression.
To conclude, we see that there are ways by which we can replicate
emotions based on our desired choices whenever we want. Our emotions are like
switches which can be turned on or off by our will. Science has told us about
how these sentiments are produced in our brains. We can elevate our levels of
emotions and perhaps change the way we perceive someone. Our cognitive skills
can be amplified and make us better than we are. The goals of using such drugs can
make the society better. But will we stray from our goal and use these drugs
for individual amusement, is still a matter of question.
Sanjay Dutta
CSE-C, 2nd year
Heritage Institute of Technology
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Increased coginitive abilities (increased concentration span,mental clarity ,less reaction time ),increased happiness,creating a sense of euphoria(extreme sense of well being) ,increased confidence ,increased socialbility , increased sexual drive ,increased physical strength.....sounds really tempting!!! We all know...but ANY substance which does this is nothing but a STRONG or POTENT Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor(DRI)or NDRI(Norepinephrine Dopamine Reuptake inhibtor) or DRAs(Dopamine Releasing Agents)...and these are ALl ...yes ALL illegal drugs to posses without prescription (schedule 2 or 1 in US)and( schedule X or banned in india) and for GOOD Reason!!!! they are neurotoxic if used for long term and in high doses... person using these drugs for a long time quickly gains tolerance due to rapid desensitization of dopamine neurons due to receptor damage.....even person with TRD or Treatment resistant Depression for whom all conventional antidepressants (SSRI,SNRI,NRI, weak NDRI,MAOIs,trycylics and tetracyclics)have Failed!! ..even then they are not given DRIs or even if they are given it may be in his/her terminal stage( so that at least he/she can die peacefully)..cuz it has extremely high potential for psychological and physiological dependence!!they are psychostimulant drugs....psychostimulants were developed to primarily treat ADHD and certain sleep disorders such as narcolepsy...not to increase coginitve abilities and alter emotions of a normal person...even if they are the most powerful happiness pill or most powerful antidepressants or the most powerful cognitive enhancers on this planet....it won't last long .....one will slowly find himself /herself doing nothing other than taking the drug ....just to even feel normal!..never mess with dopamine...it can ruin YOU even without YOU realizing it! .....you can play around with serotonin or norepinephrine at a legal level..but not/must not with dopamine
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