TheMoleculeofMore

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Why do we crave things only to feel bored after getting them? Why does addiction make sense to addicts? Why does love often shift from passion to indifference? Why do some people strongly identify with liberalism while others with conservatism? And why do we remain hopeful even in dire situations and find solutions? The answer to these questions lies in a single brain chemical: dopamine.

Dopamine ensured early humans' survival and now underlies our most basic behaviors and cultural norms, driving progress. It's the chemical of desire that always wants more stimulation and rewards, unfazed by emotions, fears, or moral concerns. That's why an ambitious person sacrifices everything for success, or a satisfied spouse risks everything for a new thrill. Dopamine explains why we seek and succeed, discover and prosper, but also why we gamble and squander.

Dopamine doesn't care for possessing something but getting something new. By understanding the difference between having and anticipating something, we can unravel many seemingly unrelated behaviors in love, business, addiction, politics, religion, and predict them in ourselves and others.

In their book "The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity – and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race," psychiatrist Daniel Z. Lieberman, MD, and lecturer Michael E. Long propose a radical perspective: Many aspects of human life have an overlooked component that sheds light on behaviors such as cheating, mental illness in geniuses, failed diets, and diverging political beliefs.

作者简介

DanielZ.Lieberman,M.D.isprofessorandvicechairforclinicalaffairsintheDepartmentofPsychiatryandBehavioralSciencesatGeorgeWashingtonUniversity.Dr.LiebermanisaDistinguishedFellowoftheAmericanPsychiatricAssociation,arecipientoftheCaronFoundationResearchAward,andhehaspublishedover50scientificreportsonbehavioralscience.Hehasprovi...