"La circuitería de la adicción corre paralela a la circuitería del amor"
— Gabor Mate
Simplified Meaning:
The quote is describing how the way our brain works when we're addicted to something is similar to how it works when we love someone. For example, think about when you first fall in love with someone. You might feel a rush of happiness, think about the person all the time, and want to be with them constantly. These feelings are caused by the brain releasing chemicals that make you feel good. Now, imagine someone who is addicted to something, like smoking or drugs. Their brain also releases feel-good chemicals when they use those substances. Just like with love, they start to crave that feeling and want more of it. This is why both love and addiction can be so powerful and hard to control. To apply this to your life, be aware of these strong feelings. Understand that the things that give you pleasure can sometimes become too important and start to control your actions. It’s helpful to find balance and not let any one thing, even love or your favorite hobby, take over your life completely. This way, you can enjoy positive experiences without losing control.