What Is the Reward Deficiency Syndrome?

The human brain produces a number of "feel good" chemicals--from serotonin and dopamine, to norepinephrine, GABA and endorphins--all of which work together in to produce feelings of well-being.
When levels of these "feel good" chemicals are low or blocked from the brain's receptors, pain, discomfort and agitation are the result. This "reward deficiency" is associated with mood instability, anxiety, hypersensitivity and irritability.
Individuals who have a family history of alcoholism, other addictions or attention deficient disorder may be born with an inability to produce or utilize "feel good" chemicals in the same way as people who do not have this genetic make-up. Specifically, defects in the D2A1 allele, a dopamine receptor gene, have been linked to these disorders. People who have this defective gene lack a sufficient number of dopamine receptors in their brains to produce the "neurochemical reward cascade" of the brain, creating Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS). Exposure to prolonged periods of stress and alcohol or other substances can also lead to a corruption of the "cascade function." It is often quite difficult to determine, however, which came first--the genetic defect or the defect to the gene.
In either case, those suffering from RDS are unable to produce a feeling of well-being and consequently often self-medicate with substances that help raise the levels of "feel good" chemicals in their system--if only temporarily. It helps them feel good and function better with less angst, agitation and emotional pain. These substances often include alcohol, nicotine, other stimulants, illicit drugs, junk foods, sugars, carbs or thrill-seeking behaviors such as gambling, sex and Internet porn. Unfortunately, this only provides temporary relief while bringing with it the possibility of more long-term consequences.
If you suspect you may have RDS, it will be important for you to identify healthier ways to feel good naturally. Talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider, review the current literature on RDS, get to know the facts and develop a plan of action that feels right to you.
Remember that although you may have been born with a genetic pre-disposition for certain conditions, you have the power to change your genes' expression. That is, you have the ability to respond to whatever life circumstances you may be in right now and change them to something better through healthier choices--be it healthier nutrition (nutrigenomics) or healthier thoughts and emotions (epigenetics). Either way, the choice and the power are yours.