Why raves are about more than just the highs

From the very first moment you step into a club, or even hear about rave culture, there is a preoccupation with the highs. These peak experiences shape your relationship with the party lifestyle, and people can often get caught up in chasing them.

When you’re solely focused on the next high, you can lose yourself and enter a vicious cycle of dopamine addiction. But there is so much more to partying than simply getting high. Here’s why…

THE SPECTRE OF DOPAMINE ADDICTION
You may think there’s no such thing as “too much” pleasure, but you’d be wrong. When we overload ourselves with stimuli the brain adjusts, and so we need more and more pleasure to get the same hit. Eventually, you end up in a “dopamine deficit state”, which can lead to depression.

YOU NEGLECT THE PRESENT MOMENT
When you’re always fixated on a future goal you neglect the present moment. Constantly living in the future makes life very dull, because you never fully appreciate where you are.

CHASING IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE
Putting all your energy into achieving another big high can be tiring, and demoralising. You won’t achieve your goals by trying to force them to happen. The more you can relax, let go and be present, the more likely you are to reach a euphoric state.

COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF JOY
By pinning all your hopes on the next peak experience, you can end up comparing everything to that unforgettable high you once had. Remember, by focusing on repeating one peak moment, you take all the joy out of your experiences.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT
Peak experiences are amazing, there is no doubt about that. But in between all the highs, there are so many other moments we can enjoy, the little interactions, the dancing, singing, laughing and connecting that comes with being in the rave. Forget the highs and soak up every single moment, that is the real high.