The Pleasure-Pain Balance and the Role of Dopamine

According to Ana, pleasure and pain are co-located in the brain, and they work as a balance. Deviations from this balance trigger the brain to restore homeostasis. Ana explains how her brain's pleasure-pain balance is affected when she watches YouTube videos, leading to adaptation and cravings. She highlights that the modern world offers abundant access to highly reinforcing drugs and behaviors, which increases rates of depression, anxiety, and physical pain. Ana emphasizes that our joy set point can change, and we may develop addiction-like symptoms when we compulsively indulge in certain activities. Our fine-tuned pleasure-pain balance, evolved to serve us in a world of scarcity and danger, is now challenged by overwhelming abundance.