Recommended Posts
I doubt very seriously that neurotransmitter deficiencies are the fundamental phenomena in the encouragement of risk behaviors. I say this principally because there exist many neurobiological theories of risk which are, unfortunately, explicitly contradictory. Recall if you will a countertheory antithetical to your dopamine deficiency hypothesis presented in "Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk"; here, risk takers were conjectured to have lower levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO) - an enzymatic degrader of synaptic neurotransmitters. Of course, this implies by extension the relative excess of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the risk-taker's brain.
In short:
The imax movie's citation --> Better moods lead to risk-taking
Your theory citation --> Worse moods lead to risk-taking
Confirmation bias, maybe?
In my opinion, the etiology of risk behavior must be evaluated individually and, most definitely, has a definitively experential component. Of course, while this could in turn effect neurotransmitter balance, brain chemistry does not act independently to ellicit risk-taking. While one person might jump to feel normal, another might jump to complement their already-existing satisfaction.
What do you think?
In short:
The imax movie's citation --> Better moods lead to risk-taking
Your theory citation --> Worse moods lead to risk-taking
Confirmation bias, maybe?
In my opinion, the etiology of risk behavior must be evaluated individually and, most definitely, has a definitively experential component. Of course, while this could in turn effect neurotransmitter balance, brain chemistry does not act independently to ellicit risk-taking. While one person might jump to feel normal, another might jump to complement their already-existing satisfaction.
What do you think?
QuoteQuoteDo you know how I get in touch with the Seattle chapter of the National Association of Discount Hookers?
your a BASEjumper,your top of the food chain you shouldnt pay for sex
One way or another, you always pay for it.
-Josh
If you have time to panic, you have time to do something more productive. -Me*
*Ron has accused me of plagiarizing this quote. He attributes it to Douglas Adams.
*Ron has accused me of plagiarizing this quote. He attributes it to Douglas Adams.
QuoteOf course, this implies by extension the relative excess of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the risk-taker's brain.
Not at all:
"Once the brain's three neurotransmitters, known as monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine), have played their part in sending messages in the brain, they get burned up by a protein in the brain called monoamine oxidase, a liver and brain enzyme."
"Antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors work by blocking this cleanup activity. When the excess neurotransmitters don't get destroyed, they start piling up in the brain. And since depression is associated with low levels of these monoamines, it's not surprising that increasing the monoamines ease depressive symptoms."
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
And Parkinson's Disease results from the deficiency of dopamine:
Monoamine Oxidase Type B Inhibitors May Help in Early Parkinson's Disease
rl
[#789abc]
If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb
Faber 0
QuoteOne way or another, you always pay for it.
funny thing i feel it the other way arround theese days
my gf is goodlooking(well for a 35 year old anyway
) she gives great sex,she phone crew me as much as she can,she let me use her car for BASE and i get free beer.. Now i wonder if you found your girls the wrong places
EDIT not to forget she clean my clothes and makes me food...
oh i love that girl
Stay safe
Stefan Faber
That's the same thing I said...
There's an inverse correlation between MAO and neurotransmitter. If the enzyme which breaks down neurotransmitter is not there in normal quantities, there will be a RELATIVE excess of neurotransmitter present in the neural synapses. Relative, in this instance, refers to a comparison between the brain with decreased MAO and the model of the normal (baseline, if you will) brain.
"Adrenaline Rush"'s explanation of naturally decreased MAO is effectually identical to that which is achieved when taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors; mood is elevated.
This, of course, is the exact opposite of saying that dopamine DEFICIENCY encourages risk-taking. In the dopamine deficiency hypothesis, pleasure-inducing neurotransmitter levels are relatively low. In Adrenaline Rush's hypothesis (as when taking MAOIs, like you said correctly), these levels are relatively high.
There's an inverse correlation between MAO and neurotransmitter. If the enzyme which breaks down neurotransmitter is not there in normal quantities, there will be a RELATIVE excess of neurotransmitter present in the neural synapses. Relative, in this instance, refers to a comparison between the brain with decreased MAO and the model of the normal (baseline, if you will) brain.
"Adrenaline Rush"'s explanation of naturally decreased MAO is effectually identical to that which is achieved when taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors; mood is elevated.
This, of course, is the exact opposite of saying that dopamine DEFICIENCY encourages risk-taking. In the dopamine deficiency hypothesis, pleasure-inducing neurotransmitter levels are relatively low. In Adrenaline Rush's hypothesis (as when taking MAOIs, like you said correctly), these levels are relatively high.
QuoteThat's the same thing I said...
You're right. I read it...um...backwards and sort of inverted. Because I don't get it.
The theory seems a little off-kilter on its face. If risk takers have lower levels of MAO at the outset, then why would they need to engage in risky behavior to increase the amount of neurotransmitters already present in greater than normal quantities?
This is the first time I've ever heard of MAO deficiency, but for now, at least, I'm not buying it. The whole idea fails to comport the harsh reality that there is a high incidence of severe clinical depression in parachute jumpers--particularly BASE jumpers--when they are not actively jumping.
Either that, or I'm just very depressing to everyone I know.
![[:/]](/uploads/emoticons/dry.png "[:/]"){kind=small}
rl
Edited to add:
http://www.futuredynamicadvantage.com/research/maobrain.html
http://www.ithyroid.com/mao_and_maoi.htm
[#789abc]
If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb
QuoteIn short:
The imax movie's citation --> Better moods lead to risk-taking
Your theory citation --> Worse moods lead to risk-taking
There is truth in both statements.
riggerrob 558
This conversation reminds me of a book published in the 1970s. The title was "Positive Addictions."
The theme of the book was that people with addictive type personalities should do sports instead of drugs. For example, he recommended jogging to get a "runner's high."
At AA meetings, I learned that a lot of drug (alcohol, caffeine, heroin, etc.) addicts are self-medicating in an effort to feel "normal."
As the original poster suggested, addictive type personalities may originate in chemical imbalances in the brain.
Whether those chemical imbalances originate at birth, from psychological or physical trauma does not matter, we (addictive types) still need some form of stimulation to "get our juices flowing" to the point that we feel normal.
Just ask my girlfriend, if clouds prevent me from jumping for two or three weeks, I get depressed, listless, argumentative, etc.
The bottom line is - if you have an addictive type personality - you are better off doing BASE jumps than doing drugs.
The theme of the book was that people with addictive type personalities should do sports instead of drugs. For example, he recommended jogging to get a "runner's high."
At AA meetings, I learned that a lot of drug (alcohol, caffeine, heroin, etc.) addicts are self-medicating in an effort to feel "normal."
As the original poster suggested, addictive type personalities may originate in chemical imbalances in the brain.
Whether those chemical imbalances originate at birth, from psychological or physical trauma does not matter, we (addictive types) still need some form of stimulation to "get our juices flowing" to the point that we feel normal.
Just ask my girlfriend, if clouds prevent me from jumping for two or three weeks, I get depressed, listless, argumentative, etc.
The bottom line is - if you have an addictive type personality - you are better off doing BASE jumps than doing drugs.
I really wanted to stay away from this post but...
Guys let's not confuse real science supported with empirical data with urban myths and reader's digest articles.
First, as in today there is no a single decent theory supported by empirical data about risky behavior.
Second, there are a lot of jumpers who are not gamblers hence the risky behavior theory that likes to use gambling as a model does not apply. We for the most part try to leave very little to chance. A gambler leaves everything to chance.
Third, there are many, many jumpers who are not addicted or have ever been to anything.
Fourth, let us not confused clinical depression with the depression pharmaceutical industries are pushing to sell drugs. Heave you head of adult ADD? Do you really think it's a real mental disorder? Think twice. Who does not get bumped if you can't do what you like doing? This is not depression is a normal conditioned response. Now if it's a gorgeous day with 2mph winds, 80 degrees, and you don't want to get out of your bed to go skydiving and you are physically OK then there is something else going on. Getting mildly depressed because you are not able to do what you like is perfectly normal; no need to drop the pill.
Fifth the neurotransmitter/MAO theory and risky behavior has no foundation whatsoever nor any empirical data.
Sixth, I would love to know the reason why we love to skydive and BASE but I cannot find the common denominator and no, it's not just the high we get from them. I've met a lot of skydivers and BASE jumpers and it seems to me their personalities come in all sizes and shapes.
Seven and final point, any behavior is a very complex phenomenon that can't be explained just by looking at one or few variables
Guys let's not confuse real science supported with empirical data with urban myths and reader's digest articles.
First, as in today there is no a single decent theory supported by empirical data about risky behavior.
Second, there are a lot of jumpers who are not gamblers hence the risky behavior theory that likes to use gambling as a model does not apply. We for the most part try to leave very little to chance. A gambler leaves everything to chance.
Third, there are many, many jumpers who are not addicted or have ever been to anything.
Fourth, let us not confused clinical depression with the depression pharmaceutical industries are pushing to sell drugs. Heave you head of adult ADD? Do you really think it's a real mental disorder? Think twice. Who does not get bumped if you can't do what you like doing? This is not depression is a normal conditioned response. Now if it's a gorgeous day with 2mph winds, 80 degrees, and you don't want to get out of your bed to go skydiving and you are physically OK then there is something else going on. Getting mildly depressed because you are not able to do what you like is perfectly normal; no need to drop the pill.
Fifth the neurotransmitter/MAO theory and risky behavior has no foundation whatsoever nor any empirical data.
Sixth, I would love to know the reason why we love to skydive and BASE but I cannot find the common denominator and no, it's not just the high we get from them. I've met a lot of skydivers and BASE jumpers and it seems to me their personalities come in all sizes and shapes.
Seven and final point, any behavior is a very complex phenomenon that can't be explained just by looking at one or few variables
Memento Audere Semper
903
903
A drug is a drug is a drug. (Go for it, Wickedness. I'm ready for ya.
It doesn't matter if your drug of choice comes from your food, your pub, your mushroom gathering foray into the forest or your pharmacist. Me, I use a lot of herbs in lieu of Western pharmaceuticals, but I don't believe they're particularly better, just different.
We each have our own way of overcoming our congenital anomalies. Whatever works. And if what works is tower climbing in subzero weather, may the universe smile upon your fortitude.
rl
[#789abc]
Share this post
Link to post
Share on other sites