The Molecule of More

DRUGS

Thus we see three possible solutions to buyer’s remorse: (1) chase

the dopamine high by buying more, (2) avoid the dopamine crash by

buying less, or (3) strengthen the ability to transition from dopamine

desire to H&N liking. In no case, though, is there any guarantee that the

things we so desperately want will be things that we will enjoy having.

Wanting and  liking are  produced by  two  different systems in  the  brain, 

so we often don’t like the things we want. That’s just what’s going on in

a scene from the sitcom The Office in which Will Ferrell, as temporary

boss Deangelo Vickers, cuts into a large cake:

Deangelo: I, for one, love the corners.

He slices off a corner, and eats it with his hand.

Deangelo: Why did I just do that? It’s not even that good. I

don’t even want it. I had cake for lunch.

He throws what’s left in his hand into the trash.

Deangelo (sinking his fingers into the cake, and grabbing

another handful): No. You know what? I’ve been good. I

deserve this.

He pauses, then:

Deangelo: What am I doing? C’mon, Deangelo!

He throws that handful away, too, then turns back to the cake. He leans

down to the cake so he can yell at it.

DeAngelo: No! No!

Distinguishing between what we  want and  what we  like  can  be  diffi-
cult, but the disconnect is most dramatic when people become addicted
to drugs.

HIJACKING THE DESIRE CIRCUIT

Since he spent so much time prowling for women, Andrew spent most of his

free time in bars. When he was in college, he would go to keg parties where

he drank until the early morning hours, so walking around with a beer in

his hand felt natural. After graduation most of his drinking buddies moved