Dopamine and the numerous ways it affects our brains and behaviour has recently become a hot topic. With the concept of "dopamine addiction" getting tossed around in conversations on social media and offline, we're taking a look at this feel-good chemical's powerful role in both dependency and recovery. We want to understand its impact and help unravel the mechanics of addiction.
What Is Dopamine?
In simplest terms, dopamine is a neurotransmitter that carries messages between nerve cells and plays a role in a number of vital bodily functions, such as focus, movement, and decision-making. It is also involved in reward and motivation, which are integral to gambling.
Like any other substance in the body, keeping dopamine at optimum levels is key, as too much or too little dopamine may cause health problems. For instance, research has revealed connections between dopamine depletion on the one hand and motor impairment and cognitive deficiencies that are typical for Parkinson's disease on the other. Likewise, keeping dopamine above baseline may contribute to various addictive behaviours, gambling included.
We will focus on the latter and see how dopamine works to create pleasure derived from a potential outcome, pushing people to seek a reward, whether healthy or harmful.
Dopamine and Gambling
Dopamine is synthesised and released via several pathways in the brain, also known as dopaminergic pathways or projections, that influence all sorts of cognitive and motor functions, encouraging positive (e.g. exercise) or negative habits (e.g. drug use). Consequently, some dopaminergic pathways play a greater role in gambling addiction than others.¹
The dopamine projections are put into action when doing anything that brings pleasure. For some gamblers, placing wagers on games with uncertain outcomes may bring disproportionate satisfaction through a surge in dopamine.
Although there's nothing wrong with experiencing dopamine surges (after all, it's the chemical that makes us happy), there's a catch: exposing the brain too often to dopamine makes it gradually build tolerance to the chemical. What once was satisfying is no longer enough to make us happy as the brain seeks more of the same to reach the same level of excitement.
Combined with a series of other factors, experiencing sudden, abnormally high levels of dopamine frequently makes the brain addicted to the substance.
But as the thrill fades, memories of past wins stay strong. Triggers, like flashing lights or machine sounds, rekindle urges and quitting becomes increasingly challenging.
Near-misses also reinforce gambling behaviour. In this situation, the player comes close to winning.
The brain reacts to near-misses like wins, releasing dopamine to push for another try.
In skill-based tasks, this response drives improvement. For example, in sports, a near-miss triggers dopamine release, encouraging people to keep practising and improving.
However, the brain's pleasure centre fails to distinguish between skill-based games and games of chance. Gambling relies on luck, not skill. This results in players finding themselves trapped in a cycle of false hope.
Can Addiction Change the Brain?
Yes, addiction can change the brain. The brain is an incredibly complex organ responsible for vital functions and communication throughout the body. It operates through billions of neurons that form intricate networks, sending signals to regulate thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
When addiction develops, these neural pathways adapt, reinforcing compulsive behaviours and making them harder to break.
According to research on the neurobiology of pathological gambling, gambling disorders are linked to changes in key brain regions, particularly the ventral striatum and prefrontal cortex, parts of the brain that regulate reward processing, emotions, and decision-making, among others.
Brain imaging studies show people with gambling disorders, like those with substance addictions, have lower activity in the ventral striatum when anticipating rewards. This suggests a weaker response to potential gains, which may drive impulsive gambling. Other findings reveal reduced volumes in the amygdala and hippocampus, regions responsible for emotional learning and stress regulation.
Teenagers are especially vulnerable to gambling due to brain development patterns. The prefrontal cortex, which controls impulses and decision-making, matures later than other brain areas. This delayed development increases risk-taking behaviour, including gambling.
Gambling addiction, in particular, follows distinct patterns, often driven by:
- Compulsive chasing of wins: The brain craves the dopamine rush from a win, leading individuals to keep gambling in an attempt to recover losses.
- Escaping trauma or stress: Some use gambling as a way to cope with emotional distress, reinforcing a harmful cycle.
- Impulsive, risk-seeking behaviours: Those with a tendency for thrill-seeking may be more prone to gambling addiction due to the excitement and unpredictability involved.
Is It Ever Too Late to Re-Educate the Brain?
The brain constantly adapts. That's its core function. Learning something new reshapes it while forgetting alters it again. This continuous change means that frequent gambling rewires the brain, reinforcing habits that can lead to addiction. However, the brain never remains fixed. By changing thoughts, behaviours, and actions, a person can rewire their brain again, breaking free from addiction as old patterns fade.
We found this explanation from Dr Jared Cooney Horvath, a neuroscientist at the University of Melbourne, particularly compelling:
"When you learn something new, the brain changes to adapt to it. When you forget how to do that thing, the brain changes, so you forget it. It's constantly moving."
Research published by Castle Craig puts high hopes in the concept of neuroplasticity. This remarkable ability is our brain's competence to build new brain cells and neural pathways throughout life. In effect, we can always adapt, change, grow, and reorganise, even after addiction.
According to ScienceDirect, physical exercise may support brain recovery by enhancing neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to adapt and repair neural pathways.
Exercise has been shown to improve cerebral blood flow, white matter integrity, and cognitive control.
The beneficial effects of physical exercise on neuroplasticity and cognition are engaging in alternative pleasurable activities, such as exercise or social interactions. This can create new dopamine pathways. Repetition strengthens these new associations, gradually reducing gambling urges.
Hacks to Manage Dopamine and Sustain Motivation
Dr Andrew Huberman has offered a rather interesting list of techniques. Below you will find a summary of possible solutions.
Maintaining a Healthy Dopamine Baseline
- Morning sunlight: Spend 10-30 minutes in sunlight daily (without sunglasses) to boost dopamine levels and receptor expression.
- Cold exposure: Take a 1-3 minute cold shower to significantly elevate dopamine levels for hours.
- Tyrosine-rich diet: Eat red meat, nuts, and hard cheese to support natural dopamine production.
- Avoid melatonin supplements: They lower dopamine and disrupt sleep patterns. Use only for jet lag.
- Limit bright light at night: Avoid exposure between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. to prevent dopamine depletion.
- Caffeine intake: To enhance dopamine sensitivity, consume 100-400mg of caffeine daily (e.g., coffee or tea), but avoid it late in the day.
Dopamine Detox - Managing Dopamine Peaks for Sustained Motivation
Here is some advice on how to try to reduce dopamine addiction:
- Intermittent reward timing: Celebrate some wins but not all to keep motivation high without dopamine burnout.
- Mindset control: The brain links dopamine to perception. Acknowledge progress to reinforce motivation.
- Visual focus ("spotlighting"): Physically focus on a specific point to enhance dopamine and mental clarity.
- Avoid dopamine overload: Layering too many dopamine triggers (e.g., music, supplements, social stimuli) can cause crashes. Switch up routines to maintain long-term motivation.
- Supplement wisely: Some supplements can enhance focus, but use sparingly to prevent dependency.
Control Dopamine, Control the Brain
The more one gambles, the more the brain craves it. As we mentioned earlier, the good news is the brain can change. It's built to adapt. Here's what you should pay attention to:
- Know the triggers: Stress, boredom, or even certain times of the day can pull people back in. If spotted early, control can be regained.
- Swap gambling for something else: Exercise, social time, or a new hobby can rebuild the brain's reward system. Over time, cravings fade.
- Potential treatments focus on brain stimulation: Research shows that stimulating the prefrontal cortex can help regulate cravings and emotions in people showing signs of problem gambling. According to the American Psychological Association, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has begun approving neuromodulatory treatments for addictions, which may eventually benefit gambling disorders. Cognitive behavioural therapy remains the most common treatment.
Breaking free isn't easy, but it's possible. Stay consistent. Make better choices, and your brain will follow.
Get the truth. Then play.
If you or anyone you know need help and support to control their gambling habits, please contact GambleAware.
¹ One study found that mesolimbic dopamine, the one that controls incentive motivation, was released to a greater extent in problem gamblers than in healthy controls during a gambling event.
