• Hohsia [he/him]
    ·
    12 hours ago

    Honest question, is there a consensus on the harm caused by not just vaping and cigarettes but excessive dopamine in general? I probably sound like a boomer, but the infinite algorithm has to be comparable and I wish that shit would be regulated too

    • Sulvor [he/him, undecided]
      ·
      11 hours ago

      You're definitely right, I think it is just incredibly hard to study long term. Almost certainly linked to the rise in ADHD imo.

      • bortsampson [he/him, any]
        ·
        10 hours ago

        ADHD is more than likely hereditary and in some cases due to environmental factors completely unrelated to social media. There seems to be at least some link to lead exposure. The rise in identified cases of ADHD is due to an increase in the availability of telemedicine, better research, higher awareness, and better diagnostics.

        • Sulvor [he/him, undecided]
          ·
          edit-2
          10 hours ago

          I mostly agree, but I think the term unrelated is a bit of a stretch. At the very least, heavy digital and social media use exacerbates and worsens ADHD symptoms.

          All you said about better recognition and diagnosis is true, but worsening symptoms also increases chance of diagnosis.

          • bortsampson [he/him, any]
            ·
            10 hours ago

            True, If you have ADHD anything of sufficient stimulation can be difficult to tear yourself away from. So if it wasn't social media it would likely be something else. It's important to be clear on the cause of ADHD and the symptoms. The misinformation out there about ADHD has long been a problem for people with the condition. I can't even get my meds cause the feds restricted the supply for a while. Of course with that decrease in supply came a flood much more expensive and much less effective medications on the market. Guess what happened to the supply of effective and cheap medicines when the DEA decided to loosen those restrictions?

            • Sulvor [he/him, undecided]
              ·
              9 hours ago

              Trust me, I'm not trying to spread misinformation or limit people's access to medication lol

              Honestly, when DSM 6 releases, we will probably see a separate diagnosis related to social media use disorder/social media induced dopamine dysregulation.

              • bortsampson [he/him, any]
                ·
                9 hours ago

                I'm sorry if I came across as personally accussing you. It's just a frequent struggle and I know how quickly the pseudoscience can spread. You seem alright to me and I definitely did not assume nefarious intentions lol

                Oh for sure on DSM. Social Media Slot Machine is no good.

      • Hohsia [he/him]
        ·
        10 hours ago

        Super interesting to me, particularly because I’ve noticed that some people I know who have ADHD just can’t get enough stimulation (like my boss who takes like 30 mg of aderall while downing multiple cups of coffee in the process)

        ADHD or not, that shit cannot be good for your heart lol

        • jaywalker [they/them, any]
          ·
          10 hours ago

          people I know who have ADHD just can’t get enough stimulation

          Yes, that's a big part of what ADHD is. Also, 30mg of Adderall isn't that much

          • Hohsia [he/him]
            ·
            edit-2
            8 hours ago

            Well yeah, but there is a point where enough is enough. Like I said, whether you need stimulation or not is one thing, fucking up your nervous system with cocaine-adjacent substances is another

            Then again though, maybe it’s a preferable alternative to the reality idk

            • Sulvor [he/him, undecided]
              ·
              8 hours ago

              Cocaine and amphetamines are only related in that they’re both stimulants.

              Oral amphetamines are designed to correct an already existing imbalance in neurotransmitters.