In response to the quote that “alcohol works wonders” for raising dopamine levels (The News, Feb. 10) in the article entitled, “You’re in love: what’s your body doing,” I would like to clarify that this statement was not spoken in a humorous tone.
Although alcohol does double the levels of dopamine, it is often excessively and dependently used like other addictive or coping behaviours, such as nicotine, shopping, work, eating, falling in love, or risk-taking activities, to temporarily raise dopamine levels.
Our task however, as mature adults, is to raise dopamine levels by using our own internal self-soothing sources accomplished through meaningful and soul-fulfilling activities.
Diane Hancox
Parksville