Neurotransmitters of Everyday Life: Balancing Ambition and Gratitude

Today I want to talk to you about a fascinating concept that concerns the balance between two categories of molecules in our brain: molecules of ambition and the gratitude molecules . These are names I gave to facilitate understanding, but they represent molecules with specific and important roles in our well-being.

The Ambition Molecule: Dopamine

There dopamine is what I call the " ambition molecule ". This chemical is involved in the functions of desire, planning for the future and imagination. For example, when you are stopped at a traffic light, you can imagine what would happen if you went through a red light. This " mental journey " is made possible precisely by dopamine. Thanks to it, we design, reason and create plans for the future.

However, there is a less positive side: dopamine tends to always push us towards the future, preventing us from enjoying the present moment . This is a crucial aspect to understand because it directly affects our ability to be present and appreciate life as it is in this moment.

The Molecules of Gratitude: Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins and Endocannabinoids

The gratitude molecules , on the other hand, allow us to live and appreciate the "here and now". These include oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins and endocannabinoids. They are the same molecules that make us appreciate a tasty dish while we eat it, or that help us feel emotions such as joy, sadness and anger.

For example, the Mindful eating , which means being aware while eating, is a practice that helps us stay in the present moment and really enjoy food. It is a great exercise to increase mental presence and decrease the influence of dopamine that constantly leads us towards new desires and goals.

Hot Revenge and Cold Revenge: A Practical Example

One way to better understand these two categories of molecules is through the concept of hot revenge and cold revenge:

• Hot Revenge: It is an immediate and impulsive reaction driven by the emotions of the moment, such as anger. It is not dopamine that is involved here, but other molecules that make us feel what we feel in the present moment.
• Cold Revenge: It is a long-term revenge planning, where dopamine is clearly at play. Planning a future act in a calculated way is a typical example of how dopamine helps us to space out in time and mental space.

Balance between Ambition and Gratitude

In everyday life, people tend to have a balance between these two categories of molecules, but there are individual differences. Some people are more "cold" and calculating, influenced more by dopamine, while others are more emotional and experience the sensations of the moment more intensely.

How to Improve This Balance

To better balance these molecules, it can be useful to practice techniques that increase awareness of the present moment , such as meditation. Meditating, even for just 5 minutes a day, can help us "turn off" dopamine for a while and raise the levels of gratitude molecules.

Conclusion

Balancing dopamine and gratitude molecules not only helps us plan for the future, but it also allows us to appreciate the present more. In modern society, we are constantly stimulated by external factors that activate dopamine, such as phone notifications or TV. Incorporating moments of pause can make a big difference in our overall well-being.

If this topic interested you, leave a comment and let me know what you think. Always a pleasure to share these thoughts with you!