The neurobiology of disappointment shows us, once again, that there are aspects of our lives in which the brain feels particularly painful.
For some reason we don’t know, in experiences where we miss opportunities or when trust in someone important is broken, a type of suffering occurs that lasts longer.
- William Shakespeare said that waiting is the root of all anguish.
- And that may be true.
- But it is also true that many times we have to cling to certain things to find stability.
- Not give in to so many uncertainties that life alone already presents us.
Therefore, it is common to assume that our closest relatives, associates or friends would not betray us in any way.
At the same time, we maintain expectations of ourselves, assuming that we will not fail in the areas where we get along, that what we have today will continue with us tomorrow, however, sometimes fate causes change and our castle of cards collapses.
These experiences, defined primarily by a loss of safety, are interpreted in the brain as warning signs of our survival.
Losing such an expected opportunity, being expelled from work overnight, experiencing emotional betrayal?All these events are more than painful. These are, in a way, hits on the fabric that was part of us significantly, so let’s see what happens in the brain as we go through these experiences.
“Our experience is more of lost illusions than of acquired wisdom. “- Joseph Roux-
The neurobiology of deception corresponds to a recent interest in the field of neuroscience, for many years psychologists, psychiatrists and neurologists wonder why this emotion feels so intensely.
Another thing that is also obvious is that disappointments are part of our personality, anyone who has experienced such situations tends to become more suspicious.
Disappointments draw strength from our dreams and sometimes make us more cautious in creating expectations that involve people, in any case, something has to happen in the brain to make its impact so obvious, let’s find out what science says.
As we already know, neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals to neurons, through this neurochemistry emotions, behaviors, thoughts, etc. are transmitted.
Thus, it should be remembered that there are very specific neurotransmitters that completely measure our mood, such as dopamine and serotonin.
An interesting study by Dr. Roberto Malinow, from the Department of Neurobiology at the University of California, San Diego, has revealed that there are two specific neurotransmitters that completely regulate the experience of disappointment: glutamate and GABA, which act specifically. Region of our brain: the habaular side.
The side dress is one of the oldest structures of our brain, we know, for example, that it is part of the emotional process that facilitates our decision making.
However, although it often acts positively, stimulating motivation, this region also has its dark side.
Its proper functioning depends fundamentally on a correct and balanced release of glutamate and GABA, so the greater the contribution of these neurotransmitters in the habenulo, the greater the sense of disappointment.
On the other hand, the lower the release of GABA and glutamate, the less the impact of this emotion on our brain.
Dr. Roberto Malinowski, mentioned above, emphasizes an important aspect of the neurobiology of disappointment, it has been found that the impact of disappointment maintained over time leads, in many cases, to depressive disorders, that is, when the release of GABA and glutamate is intense, the risk of developing this psychological disorder is higher.
We also know that this arousal of the habenula by the excessive release of these neurotransmitters makes us more obsessed with certain ideas, memories or painful situations lived, which makes it very difficult to turn the page and, as a result, emotional stagnation and suffering. Occur.
Fortunately, the discovery of the glutamate-GABA relationship in disappointments and depression also paves the way for new treatments.
So far it has been considered that thanks to antidepressants and Serotonin regulation, the GABA-Glutamate ratio is also balanced; However, today it has been identified that, while there are improvements, it is common to experience several side effects.
Therefore, the current challenge is to develop treatments that act specifically on some neurotransmitters and not on others, in this way more appropriate responses would be given to these patients who, due to various neurochemical changes, live with greater intensity certain realities.
The neurobiology of deception is therefore an area of great interest in which we gradually improve our understanding.