Dopamine isn't really the reward drug that people seem to think.

But in the 90s and early 2000s, mounting evidence challenged that idea. Turns out that when you shut down an animal’s dopamine system, they enjoy their rewards just as much but lose all motivation to seek more.

In other words, dopamine doesn’t make you like something, it makes you want it.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/science-behind-dopamine-function

That's caused by a disorder called happy and secure childhood (HSC). HSC can cause people to be happy despite world going to shit. People affected by HSC can even believe things will be fine and work towards improving it even in worst of condition.

Happiness is (also) a mindset. You can (within reason) decide to be happy. To not let stuff get to you, to focus on the positives.

high functioning drug addiction

I did know a person like that... once.

I always assumed this was related to me getting easily hooked on anything (cigarettes and booze). I never touched things like heroine, coke, or meth since I knew my life would be over. I haven't had ADHD meds in ages because it used to basically take 6-7 hours once a month to go get them and get home. Now, Japan has a shortage of them and I don't even know where I would go to get them in my super-countryside area off hand.

I knew a woman, always happy. Would sing spongebob on the way to school to drop off her kids. Always chatting to everyone, stopping to pet every animal. Let her new husband abuse her daughter and hid it. When ordered that he wasn't allowed near the home, she let him stay and hid it so he could continue. Another happy person, he was life of the party. His wife was so miserable though. Because he was beating her when they got home. I don't trust these happy people.

You guys get dopamine? All I get is adrenaline and cortisol

I knew a few in my life, and I tried to keep them as near as possible. They've been my favourite people by far.

Also, not sure if its coincidence or if theres something to it, they've all appeared to be beautifully daft. Like they seem stupid.

Ever see one of them get angry?

I've seen angry people my whole life.

But when a calm person gets mad. I notice.

Setup systems that bring you joy you know automated tiny wins

"Fake it till you make it" is my motto.

And people mirror each other, so mood is contagious.

I'm always happy, I just can't focus for shit 🤣

It's like i'm too dissociated to realize i'm sad about things

I don't have the energy to interact with those kinds. We can be friends if the depression level is close to mine.

Find enough cat hair and you can make another kitten. Then feed it the crumbs.

I probably look like someone with scrooge mc duck dopamine, but I actually do a copious amount of gigwork (hobbies) to scrape together just enough dopamine to not spiral into a bottomless depression from which I will never escape.

Yeah, unfortunately many I've met also were bipolar. But yeah the ones who aren't I definitely envy.

You don't know that those people aren't super depressed at home when they're alone. Maybe they're only stoked every time you see them because they feel good getting out of the house and being around people.

It's me. For all the tragic things going on in the world, there's still plenty to wonder at and enjoy