You’re young, under zero parental supervision and you haven’t had a full eight hours of sleep since last month. As the wise Wiz Khalifa once said, “So what we get drunk / So what we smoke weed / We’re just having fun / We don’t care who sees,” so what’s the big deal if we go a little haywire every weekend? Whether your vice is the occasional celebratory joint after a tough week, some shots with seltzer chaser, an extra fudgy brownie, the routine milk tea boba from down the street, or perhaps something more promiscuous or obscure, sometimes we need to remind ourselves to pull back. Life is stressful and it’s normal to want to indulge every once in a while. However, it becomes problematic once we start relying on these things for instant gratification and surges of dopamine (“the feel-good neurotransmitter”). As your designated moral compass, I have rounded up some of the most popular instant dopamine boosters about which we should all be more cautious.
Sugar
In 2003, Baby Bash said, “Got me lifted, shifted higher than a ceilin’ / And ooh-wee, it’s the ultimate feelin’ / You got me lifted, feelin’ so gifted / Sugar, how you get so fly?” and ever since then, I’ve upped my sugar intake by 150%. On a day when nothing seems to go our way, it can be tempting to swing by our favorite dessert spot or drink shop and cash in on some sweet indulgences. While the momentary surge of dopamine may leave you feeling reenergized, too much of anything can be dangerous. An addiction to sugar and therefore tolerance to the vice can lead to hormone imbalances, weight gain, headaches, tooth decay, a decline in cognitive function, and severe health problems down the line.
Alcohol
You’re pregaming before a party and your roommate has brought down the shot glasses from the kitchen cabinet. In the background, LMFAO sets the mood, “I’m with the party rock crew, all drinks are free / We like Ciroc, we love Patron / We came to party rock, everybody it’s on / Shots shots shots shots shots,” what do you do? Whether you consume alcohol for some liquid courage, as a way to socialize, or because frankly, you’re just trying to chase your week’s troubles away, it is a substance that you shouldn’t underestimate. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, not only can alcohol lead to worsened mood and behavior, but also “unstable cognition and coordination and a weakened immune system.” Furthermore, in extreme cases of alcohol abuse, heart, liver, and pancreas complications can lead to related medical conditions, including cancer.
Weed
It can be alluring to recreate the scenario Jhene Aiko paints in her siren-like voice, “Gotta heat the vape up / Let’s get faded / Gotta call your job tell em’ you won’t make it / Ain’t nobody here baby let’s get wasted,” but at what cost? With Berkeley being the home of California’s oldest regarded dispensary, it’s no surprise that there are dispensaries conveniently located less than one mile from campus in this 420 friendly city. The convenience may attract a slew of students to its establishment, but students should be wary of how they interact with the drug that, although known for its mellowing and feel-good effects, can still be detrimental to one’s health if not used responsibly. Those who partake in recreational marijuana use should watch out for delayed cognitive functions which can interfere with efforts to concentrate on school and work, among other health and life satisfaction risks.
Sex
King Leon’s hit song “Sex on Fire” goes, “If it’s not forever, if it’s just tonight / Oh, it’s still the greatest, the greatest, the greatest / And you, your sex is on fire,” which according to psychologist Dr. Carole Liberman is because “certain hormones are released during intercourse that are pleasurable. People often confuse that pleasurable feeling for love.” So the fire that the song refers to may not be on the basis of love, but rather lust. Whether you seek sexual liberation through the avenues of a committed relationship or casual hookups, it’s always a good idea to have open communication on the intentions of all parties involved. And if you are engaging with multiple sexual partners or are not exclusive with your sexual partner, it is important for all parties to be screened for STDs to make sure no one takes the song title too literally and actually end up experiencing their “sex [painfully] on fire.” In general, it is important to understand why you want to have sex so that you don’t experience feelings of withdrawal when you can’t have sex.