Neurobiology Of Disappointment: The Pain That Lasts The Longest

The neurobiology of disappointment shows us once again that there are aspects of our life that the brain experiences in particularly painful ways. Thus, for some unknown reason, in those experiences in which we lose opportunities or when trust with someone significant is broken, a type of suffering is generated that lasts longer.

William Shakespeare said that expectation is the root of all anguish, and perhaps it is true. But it is also true that we often need to hold on to certain things to find stability, so as not to faint in the face of so many uncertainties that life already has. Thus, it is common for us to take for granted that our closest relatives, partners or friends will not betray us in any way.

We also maintain expectations about ourselves, assuming that we will not fail in those areas that we are so good at, that what we have today will continue with us tomorrow. However, sometimes fate gives a change of direction and our castle of regal strength crumbles. These experiences, basically defined by a loss of security, are interpreted at the brain level as alarm signals for our survival.

That an opportunity that we were so excited about disappears, being fired from work from one day to the next, suffering an emotional betrayal … All of these are more than painful events. They are, in a way, blows to the fabric of what was part of us in a significant way. Therefore, let’s see  what happens at the brain level when we go through these experiences.

Neurobiology of disappointment

The neurobiology of disappointment responds to a recent interest in the field of neuroscience. For many years, psychologists, psychiatrists and neurologists have wondered not only why this emotion is experienced so intensely. Something that is also evident is that disappointments are also part of our personality.

Those who have lived them often become more distrustful. Disappointments detract from the illusion and sometimes make us more cautious when it comes to generating expectations in which people are involved. Be that as it may, something must happen at the brain level for its impact to be so evident. Let’s know what science tells us.

Neurotransmitters and disappointment

As we already know, neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals to neurons. Thanks to this neurochemistry, emotions, behaviors, thoughts, etc. are facilitated. Thus, it should be remembered that there are very specific neurotransmitters that completely mediate our mood, such as dopamine and serotonin.

Now, in an interesting study carried out by Dr. Roberto Malinow, from the department of neurobiology at the University of California, San Diego University of Medicine, it was revealed that there are two very specific neurotransmitters that completely regulate the experience of the disappointment. They are glutamate and GABA, which act in a very specific area of ​​our brain: the lateral habenula.

The habenula and the release of GABA and Glutamate

The lateral habenula is one of the oldest structures in our brain. Thus, we know, for example, that it is part of the emotional processes that facilitate our decision-making. However, despite often acting positively, boosting motivation, this region also has its dark side.

Its proper functioning basically depends on a correct and balanced release of glutamate and Gaba. In this way, the greater the contribution of these neurotransmitters in the habenula, the greater the feeling of disappointment. On the contrary, the lower the release of GABA and Glutamate, the less the impact of this emotion on our brain.

Depression related to the neurobiology of disappointment

Dr. Roberto Malinowski, cited above, points out something important about the neurobiology of deception. It has been seen that the impact of sustained disappointment in many cases leads to depressive disorders. That is, when the release of GABA and glutamate is intense, there is a greater risk of suffering from this psychological disorder.

It is also known that the excitation of the habenula due to the excessive release of these neurotransmitters, makes us obsess more with certain ideas, memories or painful situations experienced. It is very difficult for us to turn the page and hence the emotional stagnation and suffering.

However, the discovery of the glutamate-GABA relationship in disappointments and depression also opens the door to new treatments. Until now, it was taken for granted that thanks to antidepressants and the regulation of serotonin, the GABA-Glutamate ratio was also balanced. However, today it has been seen that although there is improvement, it is common to experience various side effects.

Therefore, the current challenge is to develop treatments that act specifically on certain neurotransmitters and not on others. In this way, more appropriate responses would be given to those patients who, due to various neurochemical alterations, experience certain realities more intensely. The neurobiology of disappointment is therefore a field of great interest of which we are gradually improving our understanding.