Posted by Q (198.64.206.92) on January 17, 2000 at 14:54:22:
In Reply to: Serotonin effects. posted by drummer on January 17, 2000 at 10:47:39:
I do not believe that those with CH have any conscious awareness over the process nor any cognitive power to control the process.
CH seems to operate at a very basic level in the brain, far away from the reason centers. However, the mechanism may operate in a fashion similar to that of an addiction, but at a neuro-cellular level.
My guess is that the euphoria-seeking brain cells do not respond to pain signals. There is no cost associated with invoking the pain to the euphoria-seeking cells. The cost of pain is accounted for in other areas of the brain. The pain cost centers are not coordinated with the euphoria-seeking profit center, except for the ability of the euphoria-seeking part being able to invoke the pain process.
The cyclical nature of CH arises from the opportunistic nature of the euphoria-seeking brain cells.