So I'm starting a new series of blogs called "Did You Know???". It's basically a collaboration of random facts, ideas, or events that I find unique/interesting.
DUK (did you know) FACT #1: SHOPPING IS THE DEVIL.
According to my March 2010 issue of Cosmopolitan, "online window- shopping taps into your brains' reward center, triggering a shopper's high." Anyone with a background in Psychology or even basic Physiology should know about dopamine and the "feel good" effects it has on our brain. Martin Lindstrom, author of Buy-ology: Truth and Lies About What We Buy says "The neutrotransmitter dopamine is released, providing a feel- good high, similar to taking a drug. The dopamine increases until you swipe your debit card..."
MY TWO CENTS: shopping releases dopamine. It allows me to feel fantastic until my card is charged, and the rush of excitement and happiness quickly diminishes. To re-fill the void, people shop again.. and again. LAME. No wonder spur of the moment purchases and high credit card statements are constant and vicious cycles. But alas, it makes sense.. I'm a shopaholic because it's just genetically programmed in me-- it's beyond my control. Take that, Mom!!
