I want to wrie a story in which the CEO of an augmented reality/social media company, one of the richest people on the planet, funds an attempt to put his brain in a state of constant bliss, or at least contentment. How could we theoretically do this (keeping in mind this is sci-fi), and what problems might arise?

1 hour ago, Satyesu said:

I want to wrie a story in which the CEO of an augmented reality/social media company, one of the richest people on the planet, funds an attempt to put his brain in a state of constant bliss, or at least contentment. How could we theoretically do this (keeping in mind this is sci-fi), and what problems might arise?

Simple answer is probably psychoactive drugs. Sci-Fi answer could be activating the reward centres in the brain without drugs. It is not really that sci-fi as it has been done in animal models (there is even a wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_stimulation_reward).

I think the range of potential issues are well described, starting from addiction, withdrawal from reality, lack of motivation and so on).

Okay, thanks!

I'm reading about addiction. Is there a point in the brain's reward circuit where, if we blocked the next "step," someone could get high, but not addicted?

Edit: having read a little more: what if someone figured out a way to keep the brain from building up tolerance, like keeping neuronal dopamine receptor counts steady? What would possible side effects be?

Edited October 16, 20214 yr by Satyesu

18 hours ago, Satyesu said:

Okay, thanks!

I'm reading about addiction. Is there a point in the brain's reward circuit where, if we blocked the next "step," someone could get high, but not addicted?

Edit: having read a little more: what if someone figured out a way to keep the brain from building up tolerance, like keeping neuronal dopamine receptor counts steady? What would possible side effects be?

I'm sure you will crash in some way. You may not get physically addicted but could well get habituated into being compelled to keep doing it.

Edited October 17, 20214 yr by StringJunky

I want to write a story involving a premise like this. Will someone help me with the science details, please?