Dopamine plays a crucial role in our ability to execute smooth, controlled movements. It functions as a neurotransmitter — a chemical released by nerve cells to send signals to other nerve cells. The brain includes several distinct dopamine systems, one of which plays a major role in reward-motivated behavior. What does that mean?
Curiously, one of the most overlooked triggers of Dopamine release is the anticipation of some sort of a reward. Those of us with PD may find that feel-good moments are hard to come by. That is, unless you’ve taken a D3 agonist (such as ropinirole) and experienced certain side-effects (hyper-sexuality, extreme hobbyist, excessive gambling) that are the result of affecting the dopaminergic reward system. But how can we use the reward systems wired in our brains to our advantage? Or, how can we train our brain to use this reward system and put it to good use.
To create good habits that you can use in your campaign against the progression of PD, you may need to play some mind-games with yourself. If you give yourself a reward after completing a certain task, the anticipation of the reward will cause a dopamine release. This dopamine release is critical in helping you in order to form new habits (make them good habits). The anticipation of an immediate outcome can also be why stopping bad habits is so difficult. We are hard-wired to want an immediate reward instead of receiving something that’s delayed. Knowing this can allow you to manipulate your mind and behaviors. We are not kidding.
Let’s say you are hungry. Rather than jogging to the refrigerator for a slice of cheese, instead jog towards a nearby farmers market or a store. Buy your cheese, jog back home and enjoy every bite because you’ve earned it. You have completed a task that is good for you and have earned your reward. Soon, you will not need the actual reward to want to complete the task. Another way to trick your brain is to make a wish such as: “I wish my pet hamster will live to be 100.” But, in order for that wish to come true, you have to persuade yourself to do a daily, half-hour workout for as long as the hamster is alive. You love that little critter so much, you are willing to sweat for it. In this scenario, both you and your hamster win. You are getting your daily exercises, which may even prolong your stay on this planet, and your hamster is acting more secure watching you get in shape. This simple head-game is a good way to train your new-work-ethic-followed-by-a-reward behavior. Soon, you’ll be bathing in a deluge of feel-good hormones such as; endorphins, dopamine and many others. Practicing these simple mind-tricks will develop into healthy routines that will continuously reward you and grow into a set of new, GOOD habits. The true result of all this mind-trickery will be the new you, who looks more like the old you, who makes the older you feel new again.
Our brain needs as much training as our muscles.