Overriding Phenomenon of Behavioural Neurotransmitter Systems

Overriding Phenomenon of Behavioural Neurotransmitters Systems 

There are 5 major neurotransmitters influencing human behaviour i.e, serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, cortisol, norepinephrine. They are all influencing behaviour in their own respective manners.

But the Overriding Phenomenon suggests that these systems are also overriding the effects/influence of other systems on human behaviour.

Let’s understand this by an example. A  45 yr old male, named X, who has been married for 20 yrs and he really loves his wife & has 3 kids which are dependent on him & he really loves his kids also. Now X has been an alcohol addict for 2 yrs & recently, he often comes home drunk. This has led to losing his job, not being able to provide for his family and has led to tensions & frustrations with his wife.

Now, let’s dive deep as to which neuro-modulators are primarily involved in X’s case. These are:

Dopamine -> The source of addiction (pleasure)

Serotonin -> Low self esteem (Due to uncontrolled addiction & not being able to provide for his family & losing his job)

Oxytocin -> The love for his wife & kids

Now, as we can see, in this case the Dopaminergic System is overriding both the Serotonergic & Oxytocin-dependent Systems.

Now, multiple questions arise at this point: 

How come one Neuro-modulator System become so powerful that it overrides multiple other systems at the same time?

What are the factors behind this?

What is the exact mechanism of overriding?

By Zulkifal Hayat

EI Batch 4