The Dopamine Crash – How to Still Enjoy a Positive Moment
There is a biological process that seems to derail my client’s ability to enjoy positive events- such as an upcoming holiday or really any positive event. I have had people describe even avoiding going to fun events because they do not want to experience what’s to come. Have you ever noticed a dip in mood, lowered energy, or moodiness after a fun event? Has it impacted how you are able to enjoy events? Or even had you avoiding things not to feel that dip?
The good news is that this is a very natural process, while it may not be preferred. As you understand what is happening and can label it for yourself, it may decrease the impact this process has over your experience.
So, what is happening, you ask? When you are in a positively stimulating situation, you have a spike in dopamine and endorphins that can make you feel elated. However, after the event is over there is a drop in the dopamine and endorphins – it would be very unhealthy for them to stay spiked or peaked for too long. This healthy stabilization of neurotransmitters can cause of feeling of a dip when in actuality you are simply returning back to baseline.
There is a similar example – that also tends to happen when we are at special events. When there is consumption of alcohol, there is a decrease in glutamate – which is an excitatory neurotransmitter and an increase in GABA which contributes to relaxation and sedation. When the effects of alcohol consumption subside, many people notice feeling anxious or guilty after a night of drinking. Once again this is normal – there is no increase in anxiety or guilt, (assuming your night did not go terribly wrong), again you are returning to your baseline, and it can be uncomfortable.
There is no stopping this from happening, it is important to stay balanced. In the moment, enjoy yourself and your increased neurotransmitters. Focusing on the fall to come will only take you out of the present moment. If you do not allow yourself to take in the positives, what will you enjoy in life? Please enjoy your holidays or special events and know you know that feeling when it is over is completely normal and should not outshine the great experience you had.
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