Why does the brain develop a tolerance for dopamine?
In: Biology
Because our body wants balance.
Our body strives toward what is called “homeostasis” where things are balanced out. Starting to feel too hot in the sun? Release some sweat to cool down. Didn’t drink that much water today? Your pee is gonna be yellow due to your kidneys concentrating your urine to retain as much water as possible.
This applies to everything including “brain chemicals” such as dopamine. Dopamine does X. More dopamine does even more of X. Over time time, there is still lots of dopamine, so body will make it so that there is less of X even though there is still lots of dopamine. Why? Our body wants balance. So that high level of dopamine is now the new standard, leading to tolerance.
Since this is an ELI5, keeping it simple, but there is a lot to dive into for tolerance and body homeostasis.
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