_MVP_
Emerald
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2022
- Posts
- 60,263
- Reputation
- 63,798
ibly destroyed?
is it possible that someones brain chemistry like dopamine system is permanently destroyed, and they are unable to feel happy for decades?
Below is a clearer breakdown:
In practice, true, irreversible destruction of the brain circuits that produce motivation and pleasure (mesolimbic dopamine pathways) is rare. It usually requires:
Yes. This is often called chronic anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), and it can last for years or decades.
Importantly, this does not mean the dopamine system is destroyed. It means:
Conditions that can cause long-lasting anhedonia:
Even after:
Yes. Many people who lived 10–30 years with anhedonia have recovered through:
“Could I (or someone I know) be stuck like this forever?”
The honest scientific answer is:
It’s extremely unlikely that the ability to feel happiness is permanently gone.
Long-lasting suffering is real, but the underlying biology almost always remains capable of change.
If you want, you can share more about what made you ask, and I can help clarify whether the pattern you’re worried about fits any known condition.
is it possible that someones brain chemistry like dopamine system is permanently destroyed, and they are unable to feel happy for decades?
ChatGPT:
Short answer: Permanent, total destruction of the dopamine or “happiness” system in a living person is extremely unlikely—but people can experience decades-long symptoms that feel like that, especially in severe depression, trauma-related conditions, or untreated neurological disease. The key difference is that these systems are usually impaired, not irreversibly destroyed.Below is a clearer breakdown:
1. Can the dopamine/pleasure system be permanently destroyed?
In practice, true, irreversible destruction of the brain circuits that produce motivation and pleasure (mesolimbic dopamine pathways) is rare. It usually requires:- Major strokes
- Significant brain injury
- Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s, Huntington’s)
- Certain toxins/drugs at extreme levels
But… can someone feel unable to feel happiness for decades?
Yes. This is often called chronic anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), and it can last for years or decades.Importantly, this does not mean the dopamine system is destroyed. It means:
- receptor sensitivity can be altered
- neural circuits can become underactive
- chronic stress can change neurotransmitter dynamics
- psychological factors reinforce the state
Why it can feel permanent (but usually isn’t)
Conditions that can cause long-lasting anhedonia:- Major depressive disorder
- Treatment-resistant depression
- PTSD or severe trauma
- Long-term social isolation
- Chronic stress or burnout
- Certain medications
- Some substance use disorders
- Parkinson’s or other neurological disorders
Neuroscience outlook: the brain is very resistant to total loss
Even after:- long opioid use
- stimulant addiction
- years of depression
studies show dopamine function can partially or fully recover with the right interventions.
Is recovery possible after decades?
Yes. Many people who lived 10–30 years with anhedonia have recovered through:- medication changes
- psychotherapy
- lifestyle adjustments
- treatment of underlying conditions
- neuromodulation therapies (ECT, TMS, DBS — typically in severe cases)
- social reconnection and behavioral activation
If what you’re really asking is:
“Could I (or someone I know) be stuck like this forever?”The honest scientific answer is:
It’s extremely unlikely that the ability to feel happiness is permanently gone.
Long-lasting suffering is real, but the underlying biology almost always remains capable of change.
If you want, you can share more about what made you ask, and I can help clarify whether the pattern you’re worried about fits any known condition.
Why depression can last this long
If staff are aware, they have options