Adrenalin rush

[Lenzz]

Hey guys, so i've been away from all kind of games since 8.12.2015 so if my math is correct... yep 3 months. Well i craved to look some youtube videos from time to time but that's all. 

So what happend today: I was at home really bored, really didn't felt like going outside as it was heavy raining. As i was listening to music on youtube i got that "recommended for you video" about devil may cry- one of my all time fav games. So i clicked to watch at the video and i started watching another and another and i got really into it. I started to remember when i was playing the game before and at the end I was thinking about giving it a try and play the game for a little bit. What happens next is not really a relapse but i just want to make an observation here. I wanted to see if I'm as addicted as before to video games so I started my old PS2 and started playing DMC 3. AND MY MIND GOT BLOWN AWAY. I got such adrenalin rush from 1 hour of playing. My energy level was so high i could barley stand at one place haha. When i started talking to someone I dominated the conversation, telling jokes, etc. 

And that's the reason why I'm posting this. During thoese 3 months of not playing ANY video games I never felt so alive. I don't say I didn't had a good times: hiking, training martial art, clubing, meeting with alot of friends and alot of other great stuff. Things are going very well for me. And yeah it's not a relapse I'm not going to turn to that addicted maniac who plays video games all day long. 

WHAT CAN I DO IN REAL LIFE, TO FEEL SO ALIVE? Like is there any way you can get so close to that feeling? It felt amazing guys!!! Like really alive. And yeah I know how ironic it sounds to get that from a video game... but it's a fact. 

And let me little talk about the difference I saw for thoese 3 months. I realised that these games NUMBS you from enjoying real life. Like I read about that factor but it's another thing to experience it. Slowly I can find joy in things that before were very annoying for me. That's the upside. The downside is that my energy levels are very low. I guess that before I didn't had that problem as I got hyped from video games (which was for a short amount of time). And today I was again very chill and suddenly BAAAAM - ENERGY. So i ask again - WHAT CAN I DO IN REAL LIFE, TO FEEL SO ALIVE?

 

Cheers!

[Dannigan]

Hello Lenzz!

It was interesting reading about your experience with playing the game for one hour, and then suddenly you felt an immediate adrenalin rush.  Sadly, I believe it is largely associated with a neurochemical shift in your brain.  I believe it's the dopamine surge that a gamer experiences.  It is very much like a drug addict feels.  

Having said all that, I think that continual gaming means that your brain will be seeking more and more of this dopamine-effect, or exhilarated adrenalin rush.  And what happens is that you have to game more and more and more, to recharge that supply.  Unfortunately, it means gaming for longer hours, and thus, it can result in neglecting other areas of your life, or cause irritability, lack of sleep, and addiction to gaming.  I'm glad that you were able to stop after one hour.  Others like myself are unable to do that without staying hooked for hours on end. 

So you are wanting to experience that 'alive' feeling in life, similar to what you experienced gaming for one hour?  Exercise is one thing.  There is indeed a runner's high that you get from running longer periods, but the benefits of a runner's high far outweigh a gamer's high.  Running improves your cardiovascular system, allows you to sleep better at night, gives you more energy throughout the day, tones your muscles, improves your overall health in general.  I encourage you to try a sport that can ramp up your adrenaline, and give you long-lasting energy in the day. 

[Lenzz]

Yeah man that's right! I realize that it's litteraly like a drug. You feel awsome at first. Then you need more. And more. And more. And then you forget what real life is hahaha. That's why i stopped after 1 hour. I was just curious if i can handle it. And it seems i could :P.

Well I'm curently going to a muay thai ( thailand box) which is one of the things that makes me feel very good. I was thinking about running and I'll see when I'm going to do it because I'm really busy these days. Even today I wanted to give it a try but it as the weather was awful I couldn't. But yeah will give it a try. I was also considrenig going to salsa class - my dancing skills so bad  . Plus i heared it pumps up your mood, so will give it a try 100%.

But still do you think I can feel that adrenaline rush from running? Yeah sure it feels good but does it feel that good, haha. That's what catched my curiosity by playing that game - doing something in real life that can boost your adrenaline as much as that. I know it's weird question but maaaaaaaan... cmon it's absurd how alive I felt! I was thinking that maybe cocain will have the same effect... haha just kidding  .

Cheers!

[Dannigan]

That is awesome, Lenzz, that you're going to a muay thai, and salsa dancing!!!  Whooot!  That's inspiring to me. I've always wanted to try salsa dancing.  Good for you!    Please update us on those activities! 

 

 

Edited March 14, 2016 by Dannigan

[WorkInProgress]

You could try parkour or something like skydiving.

[Cam Adair]

I've always wanted to try salsa dancing.  

When are you signing up!? You will love it.

[addict10n]

Hey guys, so i've been away from all kind of games since 8.12.2015 so if my math is correct... yep 3 months. Well i craved to look some youtube videos from time to time but that's all. 

So what happend today: I was at home really bored, really didn't felt like going outside as it was heavy raining. As i was listening to music on youtube i got that "recommended for you video" about devil may cry- one of my all time fav games. So i clicked to watch at the video and i started watching another and another and i got really into it. I started to remember when i was playing the game before and at the end I was thinking about giving it a try and play the game for a little bit. What happens next is not really a relapse but i just want to make an observation here. I wanted to see if I'm as addicted as before to video games so I started my old PS2 and started playing DMC 3. AND MY MIND GOT BLOWN AWAY. I got such adrenalin rush from 1 hour of playing. My energy level was so high i could barley stand at one place haha. When i started talking to someone I dominated the conversation, telling jokes, etc. 

And that's the reason why I'm posting this. During thoese 3 months of not playing ANY video games I never felt so alive. I don't say I didn't had a good times: hiking, training martial art, clubing, meeting with alot of friends and alot of other great stuff. Things are going very well for me. And yeah it's not a relapse I'm not going to turn to that addicted maniac who plays video games all day long. 

WHAT CAN I DO IN REAL LIFE, TO FEEL SO ALIVE? Like is there any way you can get so close to that feeling? It felt amazing guys!!! Like really alive. And yeah I know how ironic it sounds to get that from a video game... but it's a fact. 

And let me little talk about the difference I saw for thoese 3 months. I realised that these games NUMBS you from enjoying real life. Like I read about that factor but it's another thing to experience it. Slowly I can find joy in things that before were very annoying for me. That's the upside. The downside is that my energy levels are very low. I guess that before I didn't had that problem as I got hyped from video games (which was for a short amount of time). And today I was again very chill and suddenly BAAAAM - ENERGY. So i ask again - WHAT CAN I DO IN REAL LIFE, TO FEEL SO ALIVE?

 

Cheers!

As I was reading through your post I spoted a thought pattern that I have too.See our brains find so called "inoccent" reasoning patterns to encourage us to get the dopamine rush we are seeking and the instant stress relief.You mentioned " So i clicked to watch at the video and i started watching another and another and i got really into it"I find myself guilty of this habit (not with gaming videos but other kind of youtube videos).What happens is , instead of going for what we want in life we just stay home and rationalize why we cant do the stuff we want, then after we have placed limits on our actions we usually become sad or down,which leads to stress and pain.I find myself watching youtube videos about lions hunting zebras: https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRWvnW_8y1WqDiuBTaUmaHeU3HeroF5A5kU6YlxFaq7CGDiSuzf  .Or watching some millionaire kid's youtube channel talking about his life.Recently I started watching chess videos again.(I used to play chess way back)So the way I see it I always have 2 options

1)I can go out , and do whatever comes spontaeously into my mind, go hit on girls on a mall, go shopping , go try a new sport.Just up and go for a couple days or vacation , go explore new hobbies and all kinds of thoughts.Explore and Learn.Sometimes I go with this option and I find myself in many embarassing stressfull yet Awesome and "Feel Alive" moments.While other times I find a million excuses why I cant do all the stuff I mentioned above right now, why even trying is not such a good idea.What do I do?

2)I sit at home and browse 9gag or I click on stupid youtube videos that dont help me at all.Naturally I have natural urges so i am very tempted to go watch porn.I have the need for accomplishment so I watch other people's live and their progress and success(Stupid videos like Bear grylls eating all kinds of nasty shit) https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Uj9CysSSsps/hqdefault.jpg

The wierd part is that it's a spiral.At first my brain is like you studied/worked hard today it's okay to watch some stupid video for a while.The next day I watch 2 videos.And before I know it ,after a week I am watching youtube videos for hours.Basically my old shitty habits re-emerge.

Edited March 14, 2016 by addict10n