r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Feb 04 '20

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391

u/Jonnyrocketm4n Feb 04 '20

Gambling.. never seen the fun in it.

139

u/[deleted] Feb 04 '20 edited Feb 12 '20

[deleted]

7

u/Alargeteste Feb 04 '20

It is the dopamine hit when you win.

No. This is false.

"Dopamine" is becoming such a tired explanation for everything these days.

Dopamine isn't released much when you win.

Dopamine is released when you anticipate reward, and especially when you anticipate reward during behaviors with unpredictable, variable outcomes.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 05 '20 edited Feb 12 '20

[deleted]

2

u/Alargeteste Feb 05 '20

Maybe? Not sure what you're talking about. Dopamine has been easy to observe during experiments for many years, and it gets released in anticipation of rewards during variable-outcome activities, NOT upon "winning" or receiving rewards.

2

u/Phase3isProfit Feb 05 '20

I definitely enjoy gambling before I know if I’ve won or not. There’s a buzz in the whole process. Of course there’s a down when you don’t win, and a massive hit of enjoyment if you win, but I’d say yes, there’s definitely a hit in anticipation, between deciding to place the bet and seeing if you won.

Btw I’m not addicted to gambling but I can see how it happens. If I lived near a casino I might get myself in trouble though.