Brain's dopamine drives our hunger for stimulation

Washington, Feb 2 (ANI): A new study has shown that the urge to seek out new and thrilling experiences is triggered by levels of dopamine in brain.

An international research team made up of scientists from the University of Copenhagen, University of Aarhus and University of Tokyo have been able to proved that the hunger for stimulation is greater on average among people who possess more of the gratification hormone - dopamine in the brain.

Lead researcher Professor Albert Gjedde used PET scans at Aarhus University Hospital to map the areas in the brain where dopamine was active among healthy volunteers.

They found that test subjects who had the strongest urge to seek out new and thrilling experiences had both more dopamine in the brain and more areas in the brain where dopamine was active.

The new study might explain why people who constantly crave stimulation are in danger of addictive behaviour such as drug abuse and gambling. (ANI)