This question has been stuck on my mind since last night.
If dopamine signals were (somehow) artificially triggered during negative actions in someones brain through some machine or something, could the brain defy logic and reasoning and perceive those actions as positive?
Of course. Your personality and consciousness are entirely defined by three things: Your memories, your current surroundings, and the current chemical state of your brain/body. Changing any of those will change your logic and reasoning because reasoning in a vacuum is something only computers do.
For examples of changes that would drastically alter the thought process of even the most stoic, rational person, here:
- Memories: Amnesia from brain injury
- Surroundings: Being trapped in a coffin full of centipedes
- Brain chemistry: Being high on methamphetamine
Any of these things will immediately demonstrate that we are not computers or logic machines.
If you want scientific details, look-up longitudinal studies on cocaine addiction and treatment. There are some surprising scientific insights on dopamine
Can you recommend a paper as a starting point?
It’s been a while since I last studied neurology. I couldn’t find the paper I was hoping too, but I found a different one that honestly might be more what OP was looking for anyways.
Note: the gambling task is probably the most relevant in terms of distorted logic and decision making.
