Pseudo-science + factoids does not create actionable advice. I hate these things as they have just enough accuracy to seem legit, but not nearly enough to be useful.
Do any of these things and I guarantee some kind of chemical level will change somehow:
Saying that one action will be more effective for a self-diagnosed “deficiency” is completely bunk. All this chart is doing is creating layers of false equivalence.
(I should note that if you have an oxytocin deficiency, you likely have bigger problems to deal with than wondering when your next acupuncture session is.)
Wait, you don’t get all your neuroscience advice from www.bananatreelog.com (now www.mindmypeelings.com)?
If we can’t trust random sources on the Internet, then who can we trust? /s
https://www.mindmypeelings.com/blog/daily-dose-of-happiness-chemicals
The dude obviously is passionate about helping others that struggle with GAD and the general advice isn’t actually bad. Exercise, eat better, be more self-aware, etc… It legit helps! (I don’t see any blatant grifting on that site either so that is a huge plus. It really looks like a COVID project that has gone stale, TBH.)
Where I have a problem is when the science is bad or infographics are misleading.
If you think you have a social anxiety disorder now, just wait until you start spouting off BS about your “chemical imbalances” in front of people who might actually know a thing or two.
Edit: All I could think about when reading about how to increase my dopamine levels was cocaine. (I don’t like cocaine personally, I just like the way it smells.)
His references to “destroying dopamine receptors” is a thing, but I am fairly sure that you need to be hittin’ the meth for a bit to do so. I could be the one wrong on that, though. I have been taking Adderall for about 10 years daily, so if there is anyone at risk of legit brain damage, it’s me.
I should really exercise huh
I should exercise more too, but I have to say I don’t feel better when I do, during nor after. I think it’s something about my system. Or else I’m the only one seeing the naked Emperor, and it’s only the people who like exercise who write these things. I’m willing to admit they exist, but they seem not to be able to admit people like me exist.
Or else I’m the only one seeing the naked Emperor, and it’s only the people who like exercise who write these things.
I promise it’s real for some of us. :)
I don’t exercise enough sometimes, and I feel the effect when I do vs don’t.
I’m willing to admit they exist, but they seem not to be able to admit people like me exist.
Oh, yeah. People who deny your own lived experience suck.
Give me a physical game, something to do, and I’ll do it till I can’t walk
But I despise “exercise”, it’s mind-numbing repitition. Every minute in the gym I want to run away from it. I really do hate it that much.
But when I find the right exercises, I do notice an improvement in my thinking, how I feel physically (reduced intensity of chronic pain), I sleep better, etc. I was very slow to figure this out (until my 40’s). Like you, I said “this stuff doesn’t work”, and it didn’t, until I found what worked for me. Seems like no one mentions that part.
Maybe you haven’t found the exercises that work for you, or you’re mostly OK so what you’re doing doesn’t have as profound an impact (or maybe a bit of both).
If nothing else, do exercises that benefit the stuff you like to do. Skiing - do squats, etc. .
Since I’m quite old (I watched the Apollo missions live) I have tried a lot of things and ruined various parts of my body doing them. And these days, life situations limit my options. But one thing that still works is to find a good tune, something that’s randomly on the radio or high TV channels, and dance. Muscle memory turns it into an easy low-impact aerobic session, unless my body really doesn’t want to move, and then I respect that and just vibe. One thing I don’t do is hike. I get LAFD pings on my phone and every day they’re helicoptering some idiot my age off the trail and over to UCLA Hospital.
I watched the Apollo missions live
Dang, you make me feel young! (I saw a couple of them live).
I hear ya. I’ve reached an age where “pacing yourself” is a thing. Dammit.
I like to hike, but… I know where I’m going, I take sufficient gear (stuff in case you get stuck out there, dense emergency food, plenty of water, warm gear, etc, etc), and pace myself. Altitude kicks my ass these days. Sigh.
The big one is I refuse to do this stuff alone. Always have a hiking partner. Something as simple as a minor ankle twist can make for a bad (or deadly) time.
… and meditate
Probably. The trick is to find a kind you enjoy
I practice micro-D.O.S.E.-ing.
