The renowned psychiatrist Marian Rojas Estapé addressed a crucial topic for emotional well-being: the keys to happiness and the problem of excess dopamine. The specialist emphasized the importance of giving meaning to our lives from the moment we wake up each morning.
According to Rojas Estapé, having clear and personal reasons for getting up is essential to maintain a healthy emotional balance.
The absence of these reasons, he warns, leads us to constantly search for new sensations, a search that is mediated by dopamine. This is a key neurotransmitter in the brain, known for its role in motivation and pleasure. It is the chemical that drives us to repeat behaviors that give us satisfaction, such as eating or socializing.
However, Rojas Estapé emphasizes that an excess of dopamine can be harmful, leading us to an insatiable search for instant gratification and a reduced ability to enjoy the simple and everyday things in life.
The psychiatrist also criticized the impact of social networks on our mental health. According to Rojas Estapé, these platforms foster a constant need for new sensations and stimuli. “Social media makes us feel like we always need something new and exciting, which impairs our ability to tolerate boredom,” she said.
This constant search for novelty, fueled by dopamine spikes, can erode our patience and resistance to discomfort.
Rojas Estapé highlighted that this dependence on social networks not only affects our ability to enjoy quiet moments, but also makes us more prone to dissatisfaction and frustration. “We are becoming addicted to the telephone,” he warned.
The psychiatrist argued that this digital addiction decreases our tolerance for suffering and discomfort, making us less resilient in the face of the challenges of daily life.