Science Proves Power Mirrors Cocaine Addiction

What’s the saying? Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely?  Well that more than just a saying or observation, it’s a scientific finding. We've all seen someone go crazy with power, but for the first time scientists say that power is indeed addictive -- just as much as cocaine!  No wonder drug kingpins are out of control…they are living on a double dose!

So how does it work biologically speaking?  Researchers say the feeling of power has been found to have a “similar effect on the brain to cocaine by increasing the levels of testosterone and its by-product 3-androstanediol in both men and women. This in turn leads to raised levels of dopamine, the brain's reward system called the nucleus accumbens, which can be very addictive. “  Ok…we’re gonna have to take your word on all that technical jargon…but we’ve all the seen end results.  Tyrants on parade!

Power has almost identical effects to cocaine and too much of it can produce too much dopamine leading to more negative effects such as arrogance and impatience. The study by Dr. Ian Robertson may go some way to explain the outlandish and impulsive behavior of celebrities and politicians. On the plus side, Robertson added that power has also been found to make people smarter because dopamine improves the functioning of the brain's frontal lobes. Too bad we don’t see that side effect often enough!