Co-host (unnamed)

Oh, wow.

Oh, wow.

Oh, yeah. I think we all know a Janine.

Oh, yeah. I think we all know a Janine.

The dopamine trap.

The dopamine trap.

Yeah, so it's like those slot machines in Vegas, you know? That unpredictable reward keeps you pulling that lever, even though, you know, it's bad odds. With rescuing, you get that little hit of dopamine every time you save someone.

Yeah, so it's like those slot machines in Vegas, you know? That unpredictable reward keeps you pulling that lever, even though, you know, it's bad odds. With rescuing, you get that little hit of dopamine every time you save someone.

Exactly, that feel-good chemical. But just like gambling, it can become a compulsion, even an addiction.

Exactly, that feel-good chemical. But just like gambling, it can become a compulsion, even an addiction.

Yes.

Yes.

It is.

It is.

Sounds good.

Sounds good.

It is kind of scary. And what's even scarier is that your body is also sending you stress signals.

It is kind of scary. And what's even scarier is that your body is also sending you stress signals.

At the same time. Oh no. Yeah. The episode mentions that chronic rescuers have cortisol levels 30% higher than average. Okay. Cortisol is that fight or flight hormone. So essentially you're getting this helper's high while your body is screaming danger.

At the same time. Oh no. Yeah. The episode mentions that chronic rescuers have cortisol levels 30% higher than average. Okay. Cortisol is that fight or flight hormone. So essentially you're getting this helper's high while your body is screaming danger.