Women Leaderhip | B1 | Class 29

Meeting summary

Quick recap

In this final class on dopamine, Ghabit discussed how excessive dopamine stimulation from media, video games, and other addictions creates unrealistic expectations and affects human behavior, relationships, and decision-making processes. He explained the neurological aspects of addiction and proposed spiritual solutions involving prayer and fasting regimens to restore neurochemical balance, while emphasizing the importance of thinking and cognition as distinguishing features of humans. The session concluded with discussions on the brain’s reward pathway, the value of solitude for productive thinking, and a preview of future topics including emotional intelligence, oxytocin, psychology, and Islamic concepts.

Next steps

• All participants to complete the remaining two assignments .
• All participants to practice the 40-day routine of praying in congregation with Takbir.
• All participants to implement “giving psychology” practices as discussed.
• All participants to maintain an organic lifestyle to manage dopamine dilation.
• All participants to practice fasting as recommended.
• All participants to prepare for the upcoming psychology portion of the course.

Summary

Dopamine Effects on Human Behavior

Ghabit announces that this is the last class on dopamine, marking the 8-month period of the course, and explains they will soon transition to emotional intelligence and psychology. He emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence for personal elevation and discusses how dopamine affects human behavior, including how its dilation through media, video games, and other addictions creates unrealistic expectations. Ghabit explains that excessive dopamine demands can lead to problems in relationships, including extramarital affairs, as people seek to satisfy their emotional needs through improper channels.

Allah’s Attributes and Divine Order

Ghabit discusses Islamic concepts, explaining that when people deviate from Allah’s natural order, they begin to destroy themselves. He elaborates on Allah’s attributes, noting that Allah introduces himself as Rahman (merciful to all) and Rahim (specifically merciful to believers). Ghabit also mentions a scholar’s perspective on the revelation of certain Quranic chapters, including Surah Ikhlas.

Addiction Recovery Through Spiritual Practice

Ghabit discusses the neurological and psychological aspects of addiction, particularly related to pornography and video games, explaining how these activities affect dopamine and serotonin alignment in the brain. He references Dr. Gabor Martek’s work on ADHD, noting it stems from exposure to technology, music, and video games rather than genetics. Ghabit then explains a spiritual solution involving prayer and fasting regimens (90 days for men, 40 days for women) that can help “distill hormones” and restore neurochemical balance, comparing this to ancient Sufi practices that understood chemical distillation in the body.

Dopamine’s Role in Mental Health

The discussion focuses on the concept of dopamine and its role in various mental health issues, with Ghabit explaining that many conditions like depression, nihilism, brain fog, schizophrenia, and addiction are related to dopamine imbalances. Ghabit emphasizes the importance of thinking and cognition as distinguishing features of humans compared to other animals, noting that basic needs like eating and breathing are important but the ability to think sets humans apart. The conversation touches on how proper intellectual engagement is essential for human fulfillment, with participants discussing how peace of mind is more valuable than material luxuries.

Dopamine’s Impact on Decision-Making

Ghabit explains the role of dopamine in the brain’s reward pathway, highlighting how it can take over the prefrontal cortex and affect decision-making when triggered by external stimuli like movies, drugs, or social media. He discusses how solitude without external influences can be the most productive thinking zone for humans, contrasting this with overthinking which occupies 95% of mental activity while only 5% leads to solutions. The session concludes with Ghabit emphasizing the importance of understanding neurotransmitters for emotional intelligence and suggesting lifestyle changes including prayer, psychology education, and organic habits to reverse dopamine dilation.

Neurotransmitters and Child Development Discussion

Ghabit discusses the role of serotonin and dopamine in human behavior, emphasizing the importance of balance and purpose. He explains that activities, lectures, and parent engagement are crucial for children’s development, though Anjum notes the challenge of getting parents involved in school matters. Ghabit concludes the dopamine discussion and mentions that future sessions will cover oxytocin, psychology, and Islam in detail.