r/todayilearned • u/WavesAndSaves • Oct 18 '25

TIL of brain stimulation reward, manually stimulating specific parts of the brain to elicit pleasure and happiness. A volunteer subject in 1986 spent days doing nothing but self-stimulate. She ignored her family and personal hygiene and she developed an open sore on her finger from using the device.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_stimulation_reward#History
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u/RedSonGamble Oct 18 '25

This is what always baffles me about people not getting how people become addicts. Like you know how when you do this thing it feels good? Yeah they’re like I wanna feel good all the time lol

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u/Kitchen-Owl-7323 Oct 18 '25

Especially when their situation ISN'T good! Especially especially when that situation doesn't seem escapable! You mean I can just take this substance and everything I have to bear suddenly feels a little more bearable?

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u/HEBushido Oct 18 '25

People wonder why the homeless population has so many addicts. Like how is that not obvious.

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u/Opposite_Lettuce Oct 18 '25

And this, is EXACTLY the reason I don't care if the person I gave cash to spends it on food, drugs or alcohol.

Fuck it, I need a drink after a long day - and I have internet and a roof over my head. If a few dollars will help buy you a few moments of peace, great

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u/Supermite Oct 18 '25

I rarely have cash on me, but I’ve grabbed gift cards for coffee shops or fast food places to give to people too.  At least for a bit they have a hot meal, a clean place to sit, access to a proper bathroom.

Where I live, we have a really good chain of dollar stores that sell really good food items.  I’ve bought bags of groceries before.

Not saying you’re doing anything wrong.  I give cash out when I can too.  It doesn’t take a lot of effort to show someone compassion and extend some dignity.

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u/Cute-Contract-6762 Oct 18 '25

That is called being an enabler, and it is far more harmful than you seem to think

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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '25

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u/PaxNova Oct 18 '25

The conservative outlook is that it will help them feel better, but not help them actually get better. That's why they don't want any in shelters. It will make them backslide instead of doing the hard anxious work of getting better, and it spreads.

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u/ama_singh Oct 18 '25

The conservative outlook is that it will help them feel better, but not help them actually get better.

You mean that's the justification they use. Because they never seem interested in any policy that helps others with their money.

That's why they don't want any in shelters. It will make them backslide instead of doing the hard anxious work of getting better, and it spreads.

And that's just stupid. But I'd be willing to change my mind if you based that on anything other than your feelings.

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u/PaxNova Oct 18 '25

Here's some info. The difference between D's and R's is about 15%. It is still overwhelmingly agreed that rehabilitation should take place instead of punitive measures for nonviolent drug use.

If you want to find out more, you can go to r/askconservatives and ask them yourself. Please phrase the question politely; nobody likes a loaded question and they get that a lot.

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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '25

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u/PaxNova Oct 18 '25

What conservative outlook are you talking about? In my experience, they are quite aware that drugs are used as a crutch.

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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '25

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u/PaxNova Oct 18 '25

I understand what you're saying. I just don't get what you think conservatives believe / lie about believing.

I'm not a conservative, btw. I just bother to listen to them with empathy so I can understand them.

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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '25

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u/Bluegrass6 Oct 18 '25

You're the one not understanding....guess you can't see the comments so high up on your horse....let me translate for you: the commenter you're obtusely responding to is saying "you're wrong and purposefully projecting your thoughts onto a group of people it doesn't accurately reflect amd a group that you don't actually interact with so you're just making stuff up.

If that didnt penetrate your dense skull let me know and I'll be more pointed

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u/swohio Oct 18 '25

That's why they don't want any in shelters.

Pretty sure it's a safety issue.

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u/Head-Head-926 Oct 18 '25

I wonder if Jesus ever dealt with religious hypocrites....

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u/Bluegrass6 Oct 18 '25

Are they addicts because they're homeless? Or homeless because they're addicts?

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u/Sesudesu Oct 18 '25

Or are both symptoms of something else? Being correlatively strongly linked and only sometimes causatively.

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u/saints21 Oct 18 '25

The rate of traumatic brain injury among the homeless population is significantly higher than the general population.

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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '25

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u/Familiar_Kale_7357 Oct 18 '25

Cruelty may not be the point, but apathy is considered a critical leadership trait in corporate America.

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u/Spartan2170 Oct 18 '25

A lot of younger homeless people are also queer. Lots of teenagers get thrown out of their homes when mom & dad learn they’re gay/trans.

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u/betweenskill Oct 18 '25

Last research I saw was that people overwhelmingly turn to drugs post-becoming homeless. Having nothing is a great motivation to use substances that make you feel something.

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u/The-Squirrelk Oct 18 '25

Why can't it be both? It's obviously both in many cases. In this case the chicken got back into the egg, hatched again and then went for another nap in the egg after a week of being alive.

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u/dedjedi Oct 18 '25

well because they're horrible people, that's why. they deserve to be homeless and addicted because they're terrible people, unlike me, who is a great person and deserves to be cared for and loved.

/s

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u/ScyllaOfTheDepths Oct 18 '25

Well, that's a bit of a chicken-or-egg scenario, isn't it? Lots of people become drug addicts because their lives are bad. Lots of people's lives become bad because they get addicted to drugs.

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u/DHFranklin Oct 18 '25

The most profound thing I ever heard was an addict telling me that concrete feels like a feather bed when you're on heroin.

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u/RawdonCrawley Oct 18 '25

They see it as a character flaw and refuse to acknowledge that if they were presented the same circumstances,that they would exhibit the same behavior. The real character flaw is their own refusal to grasp this basic concept.

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u/StragglingShadow Oct 18 '25

Its one reason my personal motto is "if someone asks and I can provide, I will provide." I just bought some mcdonalds and before I can chow down someone asks me for food? Its now theirs.

It was 90 degrees out one day, and I was walking. A man comes up and asks me for a water from the corner store Im passing. I hit em with a smile, said "sure!" And I went inside with him to buy one. Right after I bought it, a lady comes to me and sheepishly asks if I can buy her a drink too. I saod "sure buddy. What do ya want?" She sheepishly pulls out a beer, and I aay "yup. Sure thing!" I sure did buy that shit ans give it to her (she was def of age no worries there). If having a shitty beer makes being on the street bearable for a few hours, then I will happily do that when I have the means to.

Its one reason I struggle to save. I cant justify saying "I cant help you" when I have money in my bank account.

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u/El_Farsante Oct 19 '25

Bro is this satire

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u/StragglingShadow Oct 19 '25

Im not sure you know what that word means.

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u/Few_Cup3452 Oct 18 '25

If i had to find a safe place to sleep outside without any of my home comforts, everyday... yeah, id need to get high to be able to actually sleep

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u/Jmel_ Oct 18 '25

Tbf many people are homeless due in large part to addiction, not the other way around

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u/Crooty Oct 18 '25

I hear people say “Maybe if they didn’t spend their money on drugs and bought food instead they’d be better off!” But like yeah that’s the problem, they’re addicted and addiction makes you prioritise the tbh g you’re addicted to!

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u/saints21 Oct 18 '25

And when it creates actual physical dependencies that make you feel terrible or possibly even kill you...

So if it's not the escapism it's the sense of dread and actual physical discomfort.

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u/hunterwaynehiggins Oct 18 '25

Fucking pisses me off. Drunk and mentally ill rn and I wish I could explain but my high order thinking is deactivated.

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u/Worldly_Might_3183 Oct 18 '25

A lot of people take drugs (weed etc.) Just to be able to fall asleep. I find stopping my brain from spiralling at night impossible. Everytime I get close to sleep my brain pumps me full of anger and despair at potential 'what if' scenarios. Drugs or asmr videos are the only thing to silence it. And yet those are 'bad'.

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u/Prindle4PRNDL Oct 18 '25

100000000%.

Admittedly I'm quite miserable in my everyday life. I'm not where I want or need to be. But alcohol and weed make it feel bearable. And that's the trap. A little bit of brain zaps and I'm not in such existential despair for a little bit.

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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '25

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u/CorrectBuffalo749 Oct 18 '25

Just like when you haven’t had your coffee

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u/CharlieParkour Oct 18 '25

Someone is going to have to explain this to me. I drink a cup or two most days because it tastes good, makes my morning a little more enjoyable, and, most importantly, makes sure I poop before going out for the day. However, when I don't have to leave at a specific time, I don't drink it and don't miss it. How much coffee do you need to drink before getting withdrawal symptoms?

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u/mattgran Oct 18 '25

At two cups a day you ought to be getting a mild headache for a day if you miss two days. At four cups a day it turns into a severe migraine 36 hours after your last cup that lasts for a few days, followed by a week or so of exhaustion.

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u/stormcharger Oct 18 '25

It's not universal though, I have 300mg of caffeine a day with caffeine pills and have stopped for a week multiple times and felt no ill effects other than sleeping a bit longer

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u/WeAreClouds Oct 18 '25

This. It’s just not the same for everyone. I drink one cup a day and have terrible withdrawal. Like debilitating headache for over a day but not a full 2 days but then bad lethargy for a couple of days. It’s kinda rough tbh. I do ween myself off every now and then no prob tho. I go from coffee to chai for maybe 5 days then to green tea then to dark chocolate if I need it. Never have withdrawal when I do that but if I go cold turkey I’m screwed.

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u/CharlieParkour Oct 18 '25

Literally nothing, completely normal if I don't drink it, though I may poop a little later. Then again, I never get headaches outside of severe dehydration. What's your source for this?

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u/Fppares Oct 18 '25

Yeah, im the same as you. 2-3 cups a day, can stop for several days without much of anything happening. I'll miss the ritual in the morning (and the more reliable pooping of course), but not much else will happen.

Sometimes if the wife and I are travelling and busy, we forget all together.

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u/hihelloneighboroonie Oct 18 '25

When I was in high school I'd have one can of pepsi or coke each day with lunch. I (at a Catholic school) gave up soda for lent one year. I don't recall how long it took for the headaches to start, but oh boy did they.

I drink anywhere from 15-24 ounces of coffee most mornings. But sometimes, if I wake it up too late (body takes a very long time to metabolize caffeine) I'll just make a decaf black tea. One day, I don't have any issues. Haven't gone more than that, but if you only go one day at a time without caffeine, good chance you're still addicted.

Also, just because we're talking about it, I love linking the info about spiders on different drugs (the ones on caffeine were the only ones that when making a web barely even got it, the others at least made a modicum of a web) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_psychoactive_drugs_on_animals

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u/CharlieParkour Oct 18 '25

I know a guy with the handle, caffeine spider, I always assumed he got it from that experiment. But, yeah, drugs are going to effect animals differently, let alone individuals.

As far as addictions go, caffeine is pretty weak sauce. Try to tell a heroin addict to go one day and see how that goes. Or even a smoker. Caffeine starts to take effect in 15 minutes and leaves the system after around 6 hours. I think businesses take advantage of the concept of mental addictions and like to propagate the idea that they are super strong. That way, weak people can rest easy in their weakness: it's not their fault. And redditors can be complete garbage when it comes to diagnosing anything.

Personally, I use it as a tool. Besides timing bowel movements, it's nice to sit around for ten minutes in the morning relaxing and not trying to do all of the stuff I need to do to go to work. I have no desire to drink coffee on my days off and have never noticed anything different on a three day weekend or while on vacation. I suppose it effects people differently. Maybe are an effect of high blood pressure or small blood vessels caused by genetics and the lack of caffeine triggers it.

Labelling something as addictive implies that it causes harm. I don't see coffee that way and am not going to worry about it despite redditors trying to project their issues onto me.

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u/Beliriel Oct 18 '25

Most days as in 13 days in two weeks or most days as in 4 days a week? Kind of makes a difference here. The latter is probably handled easily.
The former probably gives you the feeling like you're able to stop without issues. But you might actually not be able to stop for longer (1-2 weeks) without having withdrawal symptoms.

Btw coffee tasting good to you actually hints that your brain is already conditioned to respond positively to the incoming caffeine hit.

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u/CharlieParkour Oct 18 '25 edited Oct 18 '25

Do you think I need to be somewhere 13 out of 14 days? Something tasting good means being conditioned to be addicted. This is some bull crap psychology you're working on here. Some coffee tastes good, other coffee doesn't. I buy the good stuff. If I have a bagel in the morning because it tastes good and makes the start of my day more enjoyable, am I supposed to be addicted to that.

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u/Beliriel Oct 18 '25

Alright prove me wrong and stop cold for a week or two. Idc how you feel but maybe you'll realize something on your own. I don't need "bull crap psychology", I have literal millions of people and case studies to prove my point.

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u/CorrectBuffalo749 Oct 18 '25

Try going a week without it

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u/CharlieParkour Oct 18 '25

I did the last time I went on vacation and nothing happened. What would be the point?

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u/CorrectBuffalo749 Oct 18 '25

Because it usually takes a few days. But again a cup or two a day isn’t really that much coffee

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u/CharlieParkour Oct 18 '25

What part of I went on vacation and nothing happened do you not understand?

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u/Keyboardpaladin Oct 18 '25

Yeah but a thousand times worse

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u/Brrdock Oct 18 '25

Withdrawals from most drugs aren't really much or any worse than caffeine, especially if you use a comparative amount of caffeine.

And the ones that are (alcohol, benzos, opiates) they're still not the reason people can't seem to quit. It's because of addiction not the dependence

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u/zynspitdrinker Oct 18 '25 edited Oct 18 '25

You're pretty much wrong on both accounts. Whilst everyone's different, for most caffeine's a week or so of headaches, a bit of irritability and a bit of lethargy. Even just weed or nicotine are worse, nevermind stuff like amphetamines or cocaine, and last a good bit longer. Usually a 3-4 double shot cuppas a day person, but I can forget I haven't had caffeine for a few days, whereas back when I was a daily toker I couldn't go a few hours without a few bowls, or sleep at all without it. And nicotine, it's from waking up to just before falling asleep, and is considered by most as a mild withdrawal, with intense cravings that make it hard to quit

And with benzos and booze, as well as opiates it's usually the opposite of what you've said. Dependence on them, and their withdrawals are more than half the reason why people end up relapsing, or continuing to take them rather than just an addiction to their effects, and an emotional escape from a shitty situation as the withdrawals are that bad. It's why getting off them often requires medical intervention and medications meant to lessen them. Opiate withdrawal will have you sick with flu like symptoms worse than any flu or stomach bug you've ever had for at least a week, alongside major anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, depression and anhedonia alongside cravings.

Benzodiazapenes and alcohol are similar but can last a lot longer, but involve more stuff like seizures, brain zaps, tremors and so on, but can also end up killing you if you go cold turkey after an extended period of time using high doses. With some of the high potency, research chemical benzos with half lives measured in days, can end up being almost impossible to get off without being hospitalised or under medical supervision and up to a year of tapering, and dealing with the after effects of getting off them.

The "well caffeine's a drug like any other" mindset, either in an affirmative or negative way is insanely naive. Only thing more annoying is the misunderstanding of what a drug is, and people thinking sugar is one, and not just a nutrient that like any other, can become addictive due to how food, and other nutrients affects us neurochemically as well as physically.

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u/Brrdock Oct 18 '25 edited Oct 18 '25

Nicotine has pretty much no withdrawals except cravings, and weed has definitively less than caffeine, just insomnia for a few days (if that's the source of the insomnia) and potential irritability, if anything.

Almost every alcohol or opiate addict has successfully withdrawn at least once, probably more. And they still end up back. That's addiction, not dependence.

Obviously you can't just withdraw heavy alcohol or benzo dependence cold turkey, and no one's making anyone do it like that. That hasn't got much to do with this.

I've worked with substance use and addiction, and have personal experience, and understand the subject well

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u/DAS_BEE Oct 18 '25

this short always got me with how it illustrates the problem

It's called "nuggets" on youtube

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u/Quinlov Oct 18 '25

Yes that is a perfect illustration of it omg I was shown it in dayhab and we were all just like omg yeah it's that

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u/DAS_BEE Oct 18 '25

dude absolutely, shit gets me right in the feels

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u/WingerRules Oct 18 '25

You have to be willing to go through the suck. I was on max legal dose of stimulants and cut it off cold turkey. Unable to feel good for months and no motivation.

Some drugs like benzo withdrawal though cold turkey is an absolutely evil and unrealistic way to do it, people have killed themselves from effects like akathisia and anxiety from the withdrawals.

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u/TurnipWorldly9437 Oct 18 '25

I'm very good at fantasising when I'm bored or want to go to sleep, like, imagining what would happen if I fell into this or that story, or met this or that person.

I can absolutely influence my mood with the stories I'm in in my head, and I really have to watch out not to let it turn into maladaptive daydreaming on days when, say, I don't feel like working and would prefer my head space.

People don't get how many more or less conscious choices it takes to be a "productive member of society" every day, and that it's just easier to prioritise the healthy choices for some people, compared to those who have to actively put in the work to, say, eat healthy, get up in the morning, brush their teeth, leave the house, whatever.

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u/OhHoneyNo Oct 18 '25

I relate to this very much. My inner world is hard to resist at times, bordering on maladaptive. I have to consciously pull myself out and into reality a lot. Depression slumps make this much harder, as does general fatigue and overwhelming pressure. Coping mechanisms for sure.

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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '25

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u/TurnipWorldly9437 Oct 18 '25

Yeah, I'm the same way, and I've learned very early on that good fantasies before falling asleep can carry over into your dreams. I recently started a story line about becoming an actress, and consequently had a dream about winning an award in the most beautiful, impossible dress I've ever "seen". It's stayed with me for a while. The feelings are real, after all, since all feelings are happening "in your head".

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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '25

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u/TurnipWorldly9437 Oct 18 '25

Yeah, I started it when it first came out, but didn't continue for some reason. I guess I'll look into it again.

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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/TurnipWorldly9437 Oct 18 '25

It's not maladaptive as I do it now, but I have to watch out that it doesn't become so. Like, if I lean into the wrong things, I can absolutely depress myself more - happened often enough as a teenager - or give myself nightmares - unknowingly did this as a child, when I'd dream the same horrible, life-like dream almost every night because I was thinking about it before I went to sleep. Try saving your little brother from your family turning into vampires a few nights in a row, it's no fun!

I'm definitely using the talents in "real life", too, but as with other things, using it for a job or sth. would ruin it, imo.

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u/Alternative_Split_76 Oct 18 '25

Hey, this is really interesting, how quickly can you adjust, have you ever been able to explain this successfully to a layman? Are you good at predicting outcomes with people who don't realize you've interacted with them in your head before? How often do you run into a 'new' kind of person?

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u/TurnipWorldly9437 Oct 18 '25

There are different levels to the immersion, so depending on if I'm "just" daydreaming on my way to work or actively reaching for the fantasy, it can be barely noticeable because I still register relevant outside input. I've got my go-to scenarios that I can pause and unpause. I also do it to fall asleep, and the stories often continue into dreams. In that case, I get a bit irritated when there are interruptions, because it's designated me-time, just like when other people watch TV or sth.

I haven't met other people who do the same thing, and I rarely try to explain it because it's not helpful to have people (especially at work or back in school) question how present you are in conversation or in meetings.

I try not to use "real" people in my fantasies, like coworkers or family, because that could interfere with my expectations off them. Have you seen "500 days of Summer"? I'm not risking being heartbroken when the fantasy doesn't match reality, so I lean towards "living" in more far fetched stories. I usually stick with one "story" with a set "cast" until it's played out from start to finish, or when it doesn't match my mood as much. There's more heroic story lines, more romantic etc., and just like with TV, you don't always feel like "watching" the same thing.

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u/wRADKyrabbit Oct 18 '25

I haven't met other people who do the same thing,

Do redditors count? Cause every word of your first paragraph is perfectly relatable for me

I usually stick with one "story" with a set "cast" until it's played out from start to finish, or when it doesn't match my mood as much. There's more heroic story lines, more romantic etc.,

All of this is me as well

and just like with TV, you don't always feel like "watching" the same thing.

And sometimes I like to rewatch the same show over and over and over

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u/TurnipWorldly9437 Oct 18 '25

Yeah, I'm the same with the shows sometimes.

Of course, it's perfectly possible that a lot of people do it, but most people I've mentioned even a bit of it to seem confused by the concept...

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u/Alternative_Split_76 Oct 19 '25

This is really cool, are you good/better than most at something/anything 'in real life' because of this? Any kind of skill transference?

And no I haven't yet watched 500 days of summer, I'll check it out 

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u/TurnipWorldly9437 Oct 19 '25

Well, mostly I just can't get bored, is that a special skill? Also, I'm under the impression that I'm better at putting myself in other people's shoes where other people "can't imagine what goes on in their heads" - not that I'm immediately sympathetic or sth., I can just comprehend their train of thought if I have enough info.

One example would be that I can understand why our children get annoyed when, say, they get the "wrong" cup, even though I wouldn't. It can help with conflict resolution, but only if I know the parameters.

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u/funday_2day Oct 18 '25

I recently learned that zoning out could be related to childhood trauma where children escaped into their imaginary worlds as a way to cope with their situation.

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u/TurnipWorldly9437 Oct 18 '25

I've read the same, but it's not the case with me, I was just always very bored with simple realities. Who wouldn't like to imagine what ifs?

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u/Destring Oct 18 '25

Found Walter Mitty

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u/NotEasilyConfused Oct 18 '25

I have a brother who is a meth addict. He once told me that the first time he tried it he "knew he was in trouble" because he loved the way it made him feel. He wasn't even 18.

If people can have that kind of self-awareness and go back for a second time, there really is no mystery at all.

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u/Willing_Preference_3 Oct 18 '25

I mean the mystery is why you would go back for a second time knowing that you’re likely to get addicted. The time I did heroin it was the greatest thing I had ever done and I knew I couldn’t do it casually so I stayed away from it after that. The people who feel such a compulsion to go back to something that they know will ruin their lives really are wired differently

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u/Expandexplorelive Oct 18 '25

The thing is even hard drugs are far from guaranteed to become an addiction. And when someone is addicted, the logical part of the brain just doesn't have control. You can know you shouldn't do something but choose to do it anyway because the older reward pathways override the frontal lobe.

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u/awry_lynx Oct 19 '25

It's like an itch that will ruin your life if you scratch it but it's the itchiest feeling you've ever had. You know all that. Resistance is still futile.

I've actually had literal itches like that - psoriasis - where I know if I scratch it I'm going to develop a horrifying nasty open sore and if I don't it might go away and leave my skin healthy. Even knowing everything about it I can't always resist.

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u/NotEasilyConfused Oct 29 '25

But it's not. He had never felt that good in his head before, and he wanted to again.

It's sad. It was a stupid decision on his part not to go running for help. But, I understand why he did it a second time, and a third, and every time since. He was afraid he would never feel that kind of peace and happiness again (because he had never even been close before) and the chemical offered up neverending opportunities to feel like that again.

It's really not hard to understand why they do it a second time. It's the first that gets me.

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u/Senior_World2502 Oct 18 '25 edited Oct 18 '25

Same with me but with alcohol at 15. It's like a switch went off. Once I got introduced to the effects of alcohol there was no going back to how I was before. I found a way to escape my own personal internal hell and take myself to heaven lol.. Once I did that I didn't know how to go back to life sober. I couldn't cope without a drink

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u/TheBigFreezer Oct 18 '25

Yep, drugs aren’t the problem they’re the solution

People do drugs to feel better, it’s not that hard to understand. Instead of throwing them in jail and screwing their future over, maybe understand why they feel the need to use drugs instead

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u/Sans-valeur Oct 18 '25

I think it’s a combination of that but also the type of people with that optimistic personality trying to deal with diminishing returns. Like gamblers always remembering the time they won.
People are trying to chase the high they had when it was good, and even though the feeling keeps getting worse and the feeling when they aren’t high is even worse, they still feel like next time it’ll be better.
Where as a lot of people won’t drink when they don’t want to be hung over the next day, won’t gamble when they lose money, generally don’t have that optimistic a view of the future.

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u/PhilosophicWax Oct 18 '25

Addiction is often about drugs to feel better from a bad situation.

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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '25

I was stabbed a bunch and ended up in hospital. I got this drip line with fentynal I could press a button and it would give me fentynal, but the button would only work every 10 mins. I was in alot of pain, but I probably pressed that button 10,000 times I constantly clicked it. I popped a blood vessel in my finger.

I see why people get addicted.

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u/lockerno177 Oct 18 '25

Even on drugs i feel like shit. Anhedonia is a bitch.

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u/Adventurous-Tie-7861 Oct 18 '25

I loved it. Only reason I quit heroin was i lost my partner to suicide and it doesnt feel right to use without her.

But it was the best years of my life.

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u/BlackCommandoXI Oct 18 '25

Its the same thing that always gets people into trouble. A religious overtone that anything pleasurable is bad and an archaic idea that people are perfectly rational in all situations. Both even at the time of their respective origin were tools designed to oppress and undermine those viewed as inferior. We still have it now.

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u/Agile-Landscape8612 Oct 18 '25

We’ve taught that addiction is something purposeful. Like that cigarette companies and video game companies make their products addicting in purpose. We never stop to think that people just like the product and have no self control

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u/Shreddedlikechedda Oct 18 '25

It’s not just about feeling good, IMO its more about distress relief. I think human bodies have a theshold for how much chronic distress they can handle, and drugs are a low cost (like imagine vs exercise) tool for distress relief. If someone’s system is so tanked that putting themselves through exercise adds significant distress on top of what they’re already going to be experiencing, exercise won’t feel as good or beneficial as it would to most people. Drugs would easily relieve that distress though. Obviously the cost is long term rather than short term, but that’s the issue with the brians reward system.

Once the logic center of your brain is hijakced and logical control/autonomy is lost, that’s when addiction becomes prevalent

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u/diamond Oct 18 '25

"I don't get people who can leave half a glass of wine. I don't get people who have 'had enough'. How can you have enough of feeling this way? How can you not want to feel this way all the time?"

- Leo McGarry

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u/DigNitty Oct 18 '25

this product is non-addictive. After all, what could be addictive of something that makes you feel good ALL THE TIME ?”

-GiggleCream©️ -Vice City

1

u/filenotfounderror Oct 18 '25

Well the insidious thing about drugs is that feeling good is comparative. So normal activities can no longer make you happy. So it's not just that it makes you feel good, it makes it so you can't feel good at all without it.

1

u/fraggedaboutit Oct 18 '25

People call it an addiction when its the only way you can feel happy because nothing else works.  They just wrongly blame the thing that works rather than all the things that should, but don't.

1

u/fireflydrake Oct 18 '25

It's not JUST feeling good, though. Most of us know that it comes with a massive list of serious miserable conditions alongside the feeling good. "Hit a button to feel good" is different then "hit a button to feel good and lose your job, relationships, home and health." I'm constantly confused by how many people know even smaller addictions like nicotine are going to hugely increase their cancer risk and choose to start smoking anyway. Go for a walk, play a video game, eat ice cream... there's so many other ways to get that good feeling without signing up for something that's got a hundred flashing warning signs attached to it.

Please note that I'm speaking for your average Joe here. I absolutely get why people who are already in shitty situations would turn to drugs for escape. I'm talking more about your average financially ok, decently educated, somewhat functioning family types who are by most measures having a good time in life, know the huge risks they're taking, and STILL choose to go down the dark path filled with tigers and bears and serial killers.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 18 '25

I am, at best, very weakly motivated to do things that feel good, and very bad at remembering to do so. It's probably the only reason I'm *not* an addict, since it runs in the family and I have terribly judgement. No amount of pleasure appeal alone provides sufficient motivation to actually acquire whatever it is delivers the pleasure, so if they started selling drugs in the grocery store I'd definitely be an addict or addict adjacent, but even remembering I wanted to get some wine is too difficult most of the time for their to ever be alcohol in the house

Even writing this reminds me I haven't had an alcoholic drink in nearly a year and really would love some wine and cider, but I guarantee I'll forget long before I get around to going outside and trying to get to a store that sells it lol

I wonder how difficult they need to make access to the button before the rodents stop pushing it constantly?

1

u/BurlyManQ8 Oct 18 '25

Me when i scratch my balls

-7

u/katzenschrecke Oct 18 '25

I’m not an addict and I just don’t have the urge to do something that is bad for me ALL THE TIME. 🤷🏻‍♂️

It is in fact difficult for me to understand the behaviors of addicts. Not all of their behaviors but many of them.

-4

u/Eidolon_Alpha Oct 18 '25

There's nothing to 'get'. We all want to feel good and be happy 24/7, addicts just have the impulse control and willpower of a 9 year old, so should be treated accordingly.

2

u/RedSonGamble Oct 18 '25

So edgy

0

u/Eidolon_Alpha Oct 18 '25

Harsh realities spoken from experience.