(January 25, 2014 at 10:57 am)FreeTony Wrote: I think we also get pleasure from non-drug related processes, though I'm really sure.
It does seem strange that we have the long convoluted process (please someone correct if this isn't true):
1) Brain instructs body to release chemical.
2) Receptor processes chemical and sends signal to brain.
3) Brain interprets this and gives itself a pleasure response.
There are quite a few things like this in evolution where the solution isn't the most obvious or direct, however it works and is clearly the result of change over time (like the nerve in the Giraffe's neck).
It also reaises the question why is pleasure necessary? Does something like an Ant feel pleasure, or is just following pre-programmed algorithms in its brain? (These algorithms having evolved over time). The likely answer is it isn't necessary, but it is how we have evolved.
Pleasure is necessary to motivate you to do something. If something doesn't give you pleasure you wouldn't do it. It's the same with pain. People who cannot feel pain get problems with their bones and stuff because they don't remember to shift their weight like we do. The small amount of discomfort that makes you shift your weight without thinking is actually preserving your health. Just like the pleasure you get from eating salty and fatty food motivates you to seek out these types of food that were scarce when our ancestors were around. That's why we prefer sweet things, too.
As for addiction, I think (not too sure) it's only addiction if it disrupts your everyday life, and you try to stop but cannot stop. That's the clinical definition of addiction. It's like you can gamble it doesn't mean you have a gambling problem. You can take drugs it doesn't mean you're an addict.
