Risk takers, drug abusers driven by decreased ability to process dopamine

Science Codex ^ | December 30, 2008

[CE2949BB]

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--For risk-takers and impulsive people, New Year's resolutions often include being more careful, spending more frugally and cutting back on dangerous behavior, such as drug use. But new research from Vanderbilt finds that these individuals--labeled as novelty seekers by psychologists--face an uphill battle in keeping their New Year's resolutions due to the way their brains process dopamine. The research reveals that novelty seekers have less of a particular type of dopamine receptor, which may lead them to seek out novel and exciting experiences--such as spending lavishly, taking risks and partying like there's no tomorrow.

[Zevonismymuse]

The researchers found that those that scored higher on the novelty-seeking scale had decreased dopamine autoreceptor availability compared to the subjects that scored lower.

Maybe the novelty seekers were already taking drugs and this is why they were scoring high on a personality test seeking out impulsive, free spending, living by the seat of their pants folks. Psychoactive drugs would likely alter the dopamine autorecptors.

[Cacique]

That explains all those people who voted for Obama.

[Kevmo]

bmflr

[NonValueAdded]

Hmmmm, might there be a procrastination angle as well?

[Dilbert San Diego]

Bill Clinton, JFK, were sexual risk takers.