Dear old friend dopamine

I just sent my “final” draft of my Master’s proposal to my advisor. Side note: the irony of writing about associations between loneliness and dementia risk, and loneliness and biological aging while I’ve been lonely for the past 10–12 months is too real.

I feel accomplished. Even though holes will inevitably be poked by my advisor and my committee, I am elated. It’s a familiar feeling. The same one I get when I do something I didn’t think I could do before: a triathlon, reciting a poem, a game I found challenging. It’s that sweet, albeit short-lived, feeling that, well, I rock a little bit.

Hello, dopamine, I haven’t had you over in a while.

I won’t bore/excite you with the neural mechanisms of dopamine here. For pleasure reading, here’s some science. This is a call for appreciation for our dear old friend dopamine.

Let’s not let her pass by again without recognition. And let’s welcome her over more. Let’s praise ourselves for the little things we do. Got out of bed today and brushed your teeth? SCORE. Went outside and was friendly to a stranger? YOU ROCK. Were you a good friend today? AMAZING. Did you care for your present and future self? WELL THAT’S REALLY ALL YOU CAN DO, SO YOU WON!