Limbic System, Hedonic Escalation

The Role of Stimulation

Humans as pleasure seekers are in constant search of stimulation. When the activation of a pleasure area decreases, nerve impulses are sent to the motor centers that control the muscles involved in exploratory behavior until the individual finds a new source of sensory stimulation and a new source of temporary pleasure. This scheme is to be regarded as the most fundamental and basic neural mechanism of behavior (Campbell, 1973). The five senses are the interface between the environment and an individual's autonomic system, which is the part of the human brain that looks after basic survival and reproduction processes and ensures that these functions are performed automatically (unconsciously).

The Role of Pleasure within the Autonomic System

The pleasure provided by the autonomic activity in general and sensorial activity in particular (i.e., the stimulation of neurons located in the pleasure areas) has survival value because it motivates us to stay connected to the world and adjust, that is, respond in ways that minimize discomfort and maximize pleasure (Greenfield, 2000). The autonomic system energizes and monitors two types of functions: routine maintenance processes, for which resource deployment is minimized, and processes that support emergency activities, for which resource deployment needs to be maximized (e.g., fight-or-flight response, sexual intercourse).

Autonomic activities surface in consciousness typically in relation to deprivation (pain in case of deficiency, and pleasure in case of remedied deficiency; e.g., pleasure of movement after immobility, pleasure of breathing fresh air after stifling in a crowded room). But it is also possible to experience pleasure during energy-intensive activities (e.g., runner's high). The role of pleasure in such situations is to supplement [Page 663]resource investment beyond the automatic deployment encoded for the base level of that function.

Escalation of Autonomic Pleasure

Autonomic pleasure (associated with the five senses and basic activities such as eating, drinking, physical activity, and sexual activity) can be enhanced by sequencing deprivation and excess, repeating the sequence, simultaneously applying the schema to several autonomic processes, and further synergizing by means of combinations with other nonautonomic activities/stimulations. The additional pleasure does not come without costs, though: Both deprivation and excesses throw the neatly coordinated autonomic system out of balance and reduce its functional efficiency and/or effectiveness (cause resource dissipation/waste). If practiced long term, they may lead to physical exhaustion and illnesses. Fortunately, some natural protection mechanisms have evolved to balance human greed for pleasure and to promote homeostasis (system stability).

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