More often than not a trip to Las Vegas is not a financially sound decision. And yet every year over 40 million people hand over their cash to the city’s many towering casinos, hoping the roulette ball rattles to a stop on black.

Gambling and other forms of risk-taking appear to be hardwired into our psyche. Humans at least as far back as Mesopotamia have rolled the dice, laying their barley, bronze and silver on the line, often against miserable odds. According to gambling industry consulting company H2 Gambling Capital, Americans alone lose nearly $120 billion a year to games of chance.

Now a set of neuroscience findings is closer than ever to figuring out why. Ongoing research is helping illuminate the biology of risky behaviors—studies that may one day lead to interventions for vices like compulsive gambling. The recent results show an explanation is more complex than looking at dysfunctional reward circuitry, the network of brain regions that fire in response to pleasing stimuli like sex and drugs. Risking loss on a slim chance of thrill or reward involves a complex dance of decision-making and emotion.

1. The evidence indicates that gambling activates the brain's reward system in much the same way that a drug does. 'Across many studies, the same brain areas come up time and time again — the ventral striatum and the prefrontal cortex,' says Luke Clark, a psychologist at the University of British Columbia.
2. What else does your brain do while gambling? Well, when you get a ‘reward’ (think a win) your brain releases dopamine, which leads to your brain graving more of it. Another chemical your brain releases during gambling (and many other activities) is adrenaline, that ‘rush’ you feel when placing bets or making a wager.
3. What happens in the brain of a person who is addicted to gambling? Numerous studies in psychology, neuroscience, and genetics has proven that gambling and drug addiction are, in fact, a lot more similar than previously thought. As addiction develops in the brain, the brain changes.
4. Ongoing research is helping illuminate the biology of risky behaviors—studies that may one day lead to interventions for vices like compulsive gambling. The recent results show an explanation is.

A new study by a team from Johns Hopkins University appears to have identified a region of the brain that plays a critical role in risky decisions. Published September 20 in Current Biology, the authors analyzed the behavior of rhesus monkeys, who share similar brain structure and function to our own. And like us, they are risk-takers, too.

First the authors trained two monkeys to “gamble” against a computer to win drinks of water. Then they had to choose between a 20 percent chance of receiving 10 milliliters of water versus a far more reliable 80 percent chance of getting only three milliliters. The monkeys overwhelmingly took the gamble, even when they were no longer thirsty.

Further evidence that gambling and drugs change the brain in similar ways surfaced in an unexpected group of people: those with the neurodegenerative disorder Parkinson's disease.

Previous work has shown a brain region called the supplementary eye field (SEF) is, along with regulating eye movements, also involved in decision-making. When the authors suppressed SEF activity by cooling the region with an external metal plate—a process that is harmless and reversible—the monkeys were 30 to 40 percent less likely to make risky bets.

Johns Hopkins neuroscientist and study co-author Veit Stuphorn says the findings were not entirely unanticipated, given the role the SEF and its neighboring areas play in decisions. Yet he is intrigued that an area of the brain is so tied in with processing the risk associated with a particular behavior without actually causing the behavior itself. “The specificity of the contribution of SEF to risky decisions was surprising to us,” he says. “We interpret this as a sign that SEF mainly reflects the contribution of higher-order cognitive areas…, such areas build a model of the environment and use it to predict opportunities and dangers.” In other words, the SEF appears to shape the attitude toward a particular risky behavior. It also, Stuphorn suggests, represents a possible treatment target for those prone to excessively risky pursuits like problem gambling.

But not just yet. “We do not understand the risk-taking network in the brain well enough to think about therapeutic implications,” he says. “But as our understanding increases, there is hope for better behavioral interventions based on a better understanding of the factors that drive risky decisions. And in the long run possibly direct interventions in the form of brain stimulation.”

Yale University neuroscientist Daeyeol Lee, who was not involved in the new research, is also optimistic. “Finding that excessive risk-taking might be influenced by the function of a specific brain area might be an important step in treating humans with severe risk-taking tendencies,” he says, adding that certain drug treatments for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders can also cause risky behaviors. “The findings in this study might also have implications in reducing such unwanted side effects,” he says.

Typically, the brain’s “reward center” or “reward circuitry,” have not included the SEF but rather other brain regions that drive pleasurable responses via the neurotransmitter dopamine. Yet, as Daeyeol points out, reward is complex. The SEF is likely to be involved in the anticipation of reward and helping control dopamine activity in a reward area called the basal ganglia.

Another study published last week, also in Current Biology, adds an additional layer to the neuroscience of gambling risk—the feeling of regret. In 10 neurosurgical patients the authors measured electrical activity in a brain region called the orbitofrontal cortex—part of the prefrontal cortex near the SEF—while presenting them with gambling scenarios. They used electrodes to analyze brain activity as each study subject decided whether or not to make a bet, right after a bet and when—a half a second later—they learned the outcome.

By comparing the findings to previous brain recordings associated with regret, they deduced that during the split second between placing a bet and learning the outcome our brains frantically replay previous betting decisions. We recall the regret we felt from losing prior bets and from not betting more on those we won.

Senior author Ming Hsu, an associate professor in the Haas School of Business and the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, both at the University of California, Berkeley, notes this rumination on past choices is probably an evolutionarily means of improving future decision-making. “This type of replay is particularly prevalent during the lull after one makes a decision and before finding out about the outcome,” he says. “But what we see is that the [orbitofrontal cortex] is incredibly active, and in particular processing how much regret the subject experienced on the previous decision.”

Scientists have long known the prefrontal cortex is involved in complex decision-making. An early clue was the case of Phineas Gage, a 19th-century railroad foreman who, in some accounts, become wildly impulsive after an explosion drove an iron bar through the front of his brain. Hsu thinks the rapid replay of past decisions could explain why the prefrontal cortex is implicated in conditions like depression and addiction, both of which involve a willful neglect of negative consequences, an apathy toward risk.

Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis neuroscientist Camillo Padoa-Schioppa, who did not take part in either new study, comments, “Many monkey studies, including work from my lab, have found that decision computations [involve] the orbitofrontal cortex.” The fact this study showed the same thing in humans, he notes, is an important step toward understanding our own decision-making process.

As researchers like Hsu and Stuphorn gradually unravel the neurocircuitry of risk and reward, perhaps we will one day see better treatments for such conditions, most likely behavioral interventions or brain-stimulating technologies.

We may also see treatments that quell the thrill and compulsion of problem gambling and other risky behaviors and encourage a bit more fiscal prudence. If so, perhaps those at risk of draining their bank accounts on the Vegas Strip will find themselves cashing in their chips, not squandering them.

Gambling can be extremely exciting. Much of the excitement comes from putting your money on the line and having the chance to win big.

It also doesn’t hurt that the gaming world is filled with plenty of entertaining games. Slot machines, baccarat, blackjack, daily fantasy sports, poker, roulette, and sports betting are just some of the popular gambling activities.

But it’s important to realize that not all of the thrills come from huge wins and games alone. Instead, a brain chemical called dopamine produces much of this euphoria.

As you’ll find out here, dopamine can actually be a bad thing with regard to gambling. Therefore, you want to consider steps to lower this chemical if you have a problem. Keep reading as I discuss more on dopamine along with ways to decrease it.

What Is Dopamine?

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that carries messages between brain cells. It plays a role in our motivation to do many things, from what we eat to our preferred forms of entertainment.

Like any neurotransmitter, dopamine shuttles messages across the brain. These messages bind to docking-station molecules called brain receptors. The receptors relay messages they receive from dopamine to neighboring receptors.

The two parts of the brain that create dopamine and other neurotransmitters are the “substantia nigra” and “ventral tegmental.” Both of these areas are smaller than a postage stamp, but they greatly influence our everyday actions.

Dopamine from the substantia nigra area controls our speech and movements. Dopamine from the ventral tegmental goes to the brain and serves as a reward for various actions.

If you eat a delicious piece of cake, the ventral tegmental’s dopamine convinces your brain that it’s worth having another slice.

This chemical can unfortunately reinforce undesirable practices. You know that cake isn’t good from a dieting perspective. However, the dopamine-induced reward can overpower your logic and cause you to eat more.

At this point, it seems like the neurotransmitter is largely bad. But dopamine also plays an important role in motivating you to accomplish goals too.

You may feel euphoric after finishing a difficult workout or coming up with a great dining plan. These two are examples of dopamine rewarding your brain for positive accomplishments.

It’s important to have a healthy level of this neurotransmitter so that you maintain the motivation to carry out daily tasks. Too much dopamine, though, can cause you to develop risk-taking behavior.

Possessing too little of this chemical leaves you lethargic and unmotivated to get off the couch. This is a joyless state called anhedonia that some would consider even worse than being a gambling addict.

How Does Dopamine Cause You to Gamble More?

Dopamine is essentially what reinforces you to carry out specific behaviors again and again. It prompts you to choose between a greasy hamburger and healthy salad.

You’re likely to do whatever your dopamine is pushing you towards. The same is true of gambling, which offers its own set of rewards.

The biggest gaming reward on the surface is that you can win money. Nothing is more exciting than going on a hot streak and raking in thousands of dollars in a single session.

Of course, you don’t have to get hot and win big just to experience the thrill of gaming. Winning a few rounds here there can also motivate you to keep playing.

It’s important to realize that these wins are reinforced by dopamine. This neurotransmitter begins transporting messages after every successful round.

How Does Gambling Change Your Brain

Feeling good about winning wagers is perfectly normal. However, a key problem arises when these rewards keep coming during losing sessions.

Here’s an example:

• Bob is playing roulette and make even-money bets.
• He wins a $100 wager and feels good (bankroll at +$100).
• He loses three $100 consecutive bets and is sad (bankroll at -$200).
• His next wager wins, and he’s pumped up (bankroll at -$100).
• Bob’s following two $100 bets lose (bankroll at -$300).
• He wins the final $100 wager and leaves a happy person (bankroll at -$200).

Looking at this progression, Bob only won three bets and lost five. He quit his gambling session with a $200 loss.

Logic says that he should feel bad about the session. However, Bob doesn’t feel too down, because he won a few wagers and left after the final win.

Dopamine doesn’t use logic when it rewards our brain. It reinforces certain events, even when they’re not good in the long run.

What Are the Potential Dangers of Dopamine Triggered Gambling?

The bad thing about dopamine is that it can make you feel out of control when gambling. Again, it doesn’t account for logic when reinforcing behaviors.

This fact can lead to a number of gaming related problems. Here are the biggest potential pitfalls you need to watch out for.

Betting More Money Than You Should

The obvious downside to dopamine overload includes the temptation to bet more money. You likely have a strong idea on how much you can afford to lose in any session.

Of course, it’s hard to stick to a plan when you’re constantly receiving mental rewards for a win here or there. You may eventually think that it’s alright to keep trying for that next win, even when you’ve had a terrible session.

Many gambling addicts have feelings of guilt and think that they’re terrible people. However, there’s also a physical element at play here in the form of dopamine.

You don’t even have to be an addict in order to feel down about your gaming. Simply having one or two out-of-control sessions can leave you depressed for a while.

Playing Longer Than You Should

Losing money and gambling too long often go hand in hand. The casino holds an edge in almost every situation, which means you’ll probably lose more money by playing longer.

Of course, the sessions where you do win big profits are sweet. But you need luck on your side in order to beat the house advantage.

Gambling should always be looked at as a form of entertainment, rather than a way to make money. The only time you can consider gaming a job is when you’re an advantage gambler (e.g. card counter) or can beat a player-vs-player game (e.g. poker).

Other than these instances, though, you don’t want to spend hours in the casino. Unfortunately, dopamine can make you suspend time and continue making bets.

Seeking New Gambling Thrills

It’s always best to gamble within your means. For example, you don’t want to place $1,000 wagers when you’ve only brought $2,000 to the casino.

The problem with dopamine, though, is that it can lead to seeking risky behavior to experience new highs. Many drug users suffer from this scenario, as they abuse more and more substances to get a stronger high.

The good thing about gambling is that it doesn’t cause direct physical harm to you like cocaine or heroin. But it does leave open the possibility that you place larger wagers just to get new thrills.

Stealing Money to Fund a Gambling Habit

The worst thing a gambling addict can do is steal money to fund their habit. Luckily, the vast majority of people – no matter their penchant for gambling – never stoop to this level.

However, anybody who’s received a steady diet of gambling related dopamine won’t feel right if they’re tapped out. This lack of funds may cause them to acquire more money through any means necessary.

I recently watched a Dr. Phil episode, where a father-of-three stole thousands of dollars from his wife to fund a gambling habit. It was obvious that he needed the money so he could continue chasing another high.

Tips to Lower Your Dopamine?

Earlier I discussed how a healthy dopamine level is important. Having too little of this neurotransmitter will leave you feeling unproductive and even depressed.

But the reverse, where you have too much dopamine, isn’t good either. It’s especially harmful if you have trouble controlling your gaming.

I don’t recommend that you take drastic steps to lower your dopamine, especially from a long-term perspective. However, the following steps might be worth considering during a big casino trip.

Limit Caffeine Consumption

If you’re like me, you consider caffeine to be an essential part of any day. This drug keeps you alert/awake and more productive.

It’s important to realize, though, that caffeine also causes your dopamine to rise. If you already suffer from risky and impulsive behaviors, chugging coffee and soda won’t help.

In fact, coffee, soda, black tea, and energy drinks are all loaded with this stimulant. Therefore, you should avoid or at least minimize these drinks when gambling.

Try Special Herbs

The last thing you probably want to do is run out and buy a bunch of herbs. However, it’s worth noting that certain natural herbs can lower your dopamine level.

• Lemon essential oil is a pleasant way to decrease this neurotransmitter. It speeds up the turnover of dopamine in the hippocampus, thus reducing the duration of the effects. Inhaling this oil’s vapors will also help you stave off anxiety and depression.
• Magnolia bark is an herb that’s been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. It’s effective at treating asthma and digestive problems.
  This herb is classified as a nootropic, meaning it protects the brain from inflammation and oxidation. It’s also believed to be a dopamine inhibitor.
• Amino acids, like 5-HTP and tryptophan are effective at depleting dopamine too. Tryptophan, which is found in animals like turkey, is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin. 5-HTP is commonly taken to reduce anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Both of these amino-acid supplements will help decrease dopamine. However, you may want to consider tryptophan first, because it has fewer side effects than 5-HTP and is the safer long-term option.

Eat a Balanced Diet

One of the easiest ways to take care of excess dopamine is to get your diet in order. Make sure you’re eating plenty of foods that are rich in carbohydrates and proteins.

Carbs can decrease dopamine levels and balance your state of mind. Meat will help regulate your brain’s production of neurotransmitters thanks to its many proteins.

You want to consume plenty of green vegetables just for the sake of your health. Supplements are also worth considering if you’re low on B-vitamin or essential minerals like iron and zinc.

Talk to a Doctor

You should consult a doctor if you think there’s a serious problem with your dopamine level. A qualified professional is preferable to trying to sort out the matter on your own with caffeine limits and supplements.

Of course, the majority of related problems revolve around having low dopamine. But it’s still possible to have too much of this brain chemical, leading to risky behavior.

A doctor can run tests for your neurotransmitters and figure out if there’s an imbalance. They may even prescribe you dopamine inhibitors if your level is too high.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you don’t have any problems with gambling and can enjoy yourself in a controlled manner. But if you do ever go too far in the casino, then you may want to consider if high dopamine is a problem.

Dopamine can make it difficult to maintain control. You may fully know that eating half a pie or gambling too much are bad decisions. But dopamine is sending reward signals to your brain and clouding your judgement.

How Gambling Changes Your Brain

Simply realizing that there’s a neurotransmitter at play can help curb your gaming urges. However, you may need to take more-concentrated steps to avoid dopamine fueled gambling binges.

How Gambling Affects Your Brain

Consuming less caffeine, taking supplements, and eating a well-balanced diet can all help. You should consider visiting a doctor if you’re highly prone to risky decisions at the casino or elsewhere. They can administer tests to see if you have a high dopamine level and need inhibitors.

What Gaming Does To Your Brain

Of course, nothing is more effective than exercising strong willpower. Being able to say no to another hour of gambling when it’s time to quit is key to bankroll management.

But not everybody has this ability to stop when they should. If you’re in this boat, then take steps to curb your dopamine so that you don’t feel rewarded when gambling too much.

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