At first, my reaction was to deny the thing. I started to find every possible excuse or proof in my favor, anything that would disconfirm what he had just said. Then, once I got home after the appointment, I reflected on the statement one more time. I got really honest with myself. As I was reflecting on the person I was\/am, I did find the strength to admit that perhaps, what he said was in part true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many times in the past I found myself seeking<\/strong> high sensations<\/strong> – anything that would bring me some form of stimulation. I realized that deep down, I always was (and still am) craving to be challenged. I crave the feeling you get after being challenged. It’s all about the adrenaline<\/strong> and dopamine<\/strong> rushes, the highs, the lows, the novelty, the unpredictability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter how many times I tell myself that I hate unpredictability – because of the lack of control – my brain actually loves it and is addicted<\/strong> to its own anxiety. I constantly find myself in places or situations that put me in a position where I lack control. However, I also find myself able to take some of that control back. That\u2019s where the challenge kicks in. The result? Subconsciously, I think that I am seeking<\/strong> people, places, or situations that stimulate my brain\u2019s dopamine<\/strong> or adrenaline<\/strong> receptors and leave me wanting for more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The awareness that came from that simple statement – \u201cI think you might be addicted<\/strong> to adrenaline<\/strong>\u201d – sparked my curiosity. It made me ask myself deeper questions, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sensation seekers<\/strong> are driven to conquer<\/a> new challenges and opportunities life throws at them. They usually do not fear danger<\/a>, which is why they enjoy pursuing new, different and intense sensations<\/strong> or experiences. Although risk and danger do not stop them from going into uncertain, uncharted territory, these are not the main motivators<\/a>: novelty is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indeed, for a sensation seeker<\/strong>, it is novelty that motivates them to engage in activities that spark joy, fulfillment, and expand one\u2019s confidence and sense of self<\/a>. In addition, there is evidence that sensation seekers<\/strong> are resilient<\/a> individuals due to the challenges they put themselves through. By pushing themselves out of their comfort zones<\/a>, sensation seekers<\/strong> tend to see obstacles as challenges rather than threats<\/a>. This is a powerful mindset to have, one that reduces stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you see yourself in the following list<\/a>, chances are you are a sensation seeker<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the above list, psychologists say that sensation seeking<\/strong> is not just about looking for external stimulation. It is also about wanting unique<\/a> experiences. What they found was that many sensation seekers<\/strong> are sensitive individuals. This means they are sensitive<\/a> to their experiences and choose to maximize<\/a> them. These sensations<\/strong> can come from food, emotions, physical activities, or even other people<\/a>. Hence, sensation seeking<\/strong> can dictate the way someone lives their life, makes choices, and the people they hang out with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You probably heard of dopamine<\/strong> and dopamine<\/strong> addiction<\/strong> before – especially after the rise of social media. Dopamine<\/strong> is one of the brain\u2019s main neurotransmitters. It is involved in pleasure and reward seeking<\/strong>, including the seeking<\/strong> of strong emotions and sensations<\/strong>. Social media is reinforcing<\/a> in nature. It increases the release of dopamine<\/strong> in your brain\u2019s reward center<\/a> every time you use it and get likes. This means that the more you are on socials, the more you want it – which is how an addiction<\/strong> is created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The same way too much dopamine<\/strong> can lead to mental health problems, a lack of dopamine<\/strong> is not ideal. In fact, it can lead to certain mental conditions and emotion regulation problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dopamine<\/strong> also regulates avoidance-approach<\/a> behaviors in humans. In other words, the extent to which people approach or avoid novel and intense situations. Studies have shown that based on dopamine<\/strong> levels, some individuals may be more or less inclined to make sensory stimulating<\/strong> choices and seek<\/strong> sensory stimulating<\/strong> situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to psychology, being an adrenaline<\/strong> junkie means to enjoy thrilling, exciting, or intense<\/a> activities that release the hormone adrenaline<\/strong>. Adrenaline<\/strong> is in charge of the fight or flight<\/a> reaction that often occurs when a person is in danger. That is, adrenaline<\/strong> is what allows the person to either fight the danger or flee from it. However, adrenaline<\/strong> is also released in the body when someone is excited or emotionally charged<\/a>. Our body\u2019s reaction when adrenaline<\/strong> is released often includes<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n An adrenaline<\/strong> junkie who enjoys these kinds of sensations<\/strong> will therefore engage in activities that release adrenaline<\/strong> to keep chasing<\/a> the feeling. Dependency from this feeling comes into play when the person can\u2019t stop doing these activities because of the happiness and euphoria<\/a> they feel afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Evidence also suggests that an unconscious need for stimulation, which is often characteristic of an adrenaline<\/strong> junkie, can affect a person\u2019s everyday behaviors<\/a>. In desperate need of stimulation, an adrenaline<\/strong> junkie may create drama<\/a> in every situation so as to trigger the body\u2019s stress response<\/a> and experience similar adrenaline<\/strong>-inducing feelings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being an adrenaline<\/strong> junkie – or being addicted<\/strong> to adrenaline<\/strong> – is somewhat different from being dopamine addicted<\/strong> (at least when it comes to sensation seeking<\/strong>). What differentiates adrenaline addiction<\/strong> from other addictions<\/strong> is the absence of withdrawal<\/a> symptoms. These include physical sensations<\/strong>, intense craving<\/a>, negative emotions (e.g. frustration, anxiety) and loss of interest for other (not as stimulating<\/strong>) activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main message from this blog post is that sensation seeking<\/strong> is not necessarily a bad thing. Unless someone is putting his own or others\u2019 health and well-being in danger, looking for novel, stimulating<\/strong> experiences can increase one\u2019s confidence and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, if we place sensation seeking<\/strong> on a continuum, it is important not to go to one of either extremes. Facing challenges can be beneficial. However, if one is getting addicted<\/strong> to the adrenaline<\/strong> or dopamine<\/strong> rushes that follow a challenging experience, the person might be no longer able to enjoy less stimulating<\/strong> activities. This might be worth taking a look at through coaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adrenaline Junkie: Definitions, Symptoms, Psychology and More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sensation Seeking<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n What Does It Mean to Be a Sensation Seeker?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dopamine Regulates Approach-Avoidance in Human Sensation-Seeking<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Sensation seeking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What it means to be a sensation seeker<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Are you a sensation seeker?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The science behind sensation seeking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The role of adrenaline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Adrenaline vs dopamine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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