Serotonin Over Dopamine: Choosing Lasting Smiles Over Short-Term Highs
The Dopamine Culture
In today’s fast-paced world, dopamine affects our psychology and drives our decisions.
Dopamine, or the reward chemical, is also often called the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. It’s associated with the pleasure and reward system in the brain, motivating us to take action toward goals, desires, and needs. It also gives a feeling of satisfaction when we achieve them.
Our culture is saturated with activities and goals designed to spike our dopamine levels. It’s no wonder that many of us are on a constant quest for the next high. We exercise to feel good, we renew our resolutions every year to ensure we have new goals to chase, we complete our bucket list, we set a higher target to grow our businesses, we eat fast food, we run longer and faster, we learn new skills, we make more money, we climb up the corporate ladder to get a higher title, we use drugs to feel happy, and the list goes on and on.
Furthermore, the advent of technology enables us to pursue activities that trigger a high dopamine release from the comfort of our couches. We share our vacation on Instagram, seeking validation from others through likes and comments. We show off our moral values on X, expecting support from like-minded people to ensure our post goes viral. We post new TikTok videos according to the algorithm so more people can watch and support our accounts.
Unwittingly, we live in the cycle of dopamine rush by doing something to feel good about ourselves. We keep on chasing Dopamine to conceal a missing piece of our life. Some people lack connection, others are driven by social pressure, and many use it as an escape to manage stress.
The chase for Dopamine, in essence, can become a treadmill of diminishing returns, where the need for greater stimuli to achieve the same level of pleasure can lead to risky behaviors, burnout, and unhealthy habits.
Enter Serotonin
Amidst this dopamine-driven culture, Serotonin, another vital neurotransmitter, often doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
Unlike Dopamine, which acts as a reward chemical, Serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating our mood, appetite, and sleep, promoting feelings of well-being and happiness over a longer period. It underpins our ability to feel happy, calm, and emotionally stable over time.
Serotonin is Alfred’s wisdom to Batman’s seek for justice (Dopamine).
It’s Chewbacca’s loyalty and steadiness to Han Solo’s penchant for risk-taking.
It’s Morty’s sense of normalcy and moral grounding to Rick’s pursuit of interdimensional adventures.
However, the subtlety of Serotonin’s effects means it’s less likely to be aggressively pursued daily. Our misunderstanding or lack of awareness about Serotonin’s profound impact on our mental health has led many to undervalue its importance in our pursuit of happiness.
Furthermore, our society rewards us with immediate results instead of slow ones. The modern world exacerbates it with its fast pace and constant demands, making it all the more challenging to focus on the slow and steady approach to happiness that Serotonin offers.
Getting more Serotonin
In writing this post, my objective is to spread the word on topics less likely to be discussed because our hustle culture doesn’t incentivize us as much to play the long game. I want people to see the different perspective of life that’s rarely seen if we keep on chasing something new without giving ourselves a break for a moment. To allow ourselves to look at our surroundings more openly and consciously.
Serotonin is for those who want to seek a more balanced life against the immediacy of the culture.
Serotonin is for those who want to play the long game.
Serotonin is for those who seek consistency over a short-term high.
Serotonin is for those who seek a slow burn over a sudden spike.
Here are some activities that we can do to boost more Serotonin in our lives:
- Engaging in Regular Physical Activity: While hardcore exercise can be dopamine-driven, moderate, consistent exercise is a powerful serotonin booster, improving mood and reducing stress. I’d like to do this through Zone-2 training, where I can keep talking while running with friends.
- Connecting with Nature: Spending time outdoors, especially in green spaces, can enhance serotonin levels and improve mood. Spend a weekend with your close friends while enjoying the serenity of nature. Embrace the fresh air, away from pollution and the hustle and bustle of a city.
- Practicing Mindfulness and Meditation: These practices can increase serotonin levels, promoting a sense of calm and emotional stability. I had a 10-day Vipassana Meditation just to boost my serotonin level.
- A long walk. Walking is a meditative experience that puts you in the present. Take a walk around 15–30 minutes a day without devices. Open your awareness of your surroundings. Feel the sun’s warmth glowing your skin. Recognize your current emotions. Listen to your deepest thoughts. Enjoy the breeze of air blowing through your faces. It’s why you feel good walking on the beach while watching the sunset’s dim lights shine in your eyes. It’s why forest bathing is so popular to regulate mood and make us calm.
- Eating the right food: Foods rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that the body uses to make Serotonin, can help maintain healthy serotonin levels. Examples include eggs, salmon, nuts, and seeds.
- Spend time with friends: Meaningful relationships and social support can boost Serotonin and enhance emotional well-being. Set up a weekly hangout with friends over a coffee, brunch, or dinner.
The items listed above do not offer immediate rewards like Dopamine does. Unlike Serotonin, Dopamine provides tangible rewards that can be shown to others for validation.
However, Dopamine is addictive and demands continuous stimulation. On the other hand, Serotonin is not addictive, and it helps in maintaining balance. This balanced approach can help us build resilience, find joy every day, and maintain a good mood over the long term.
It proves that sometimes, the best things in life are the ones that last.
