Royal National Park

No visit to Sydney should be without  visit to the Royal, the second oldest National Park in the world.

The water was cool compared to Valla, but refreshing.  Three men, all aged aged 59, swam and floated and splashed around and for a moment it felt like we were back at school. Without my swimmers I was in my boxers. A school friend we hadn’t seen for 30 years or so had flown in from Perth for a weekend reunion with me and Andrew, who I have known since I was eight years old.

Of all the things which wisdom provides to make us entirely happy, much the greatest is the possession of friendship. Epicurus

For the origins of the Royal see this post.

Cliff jumping

People have broken their backs here.

 I have done cliff jumping in the past and am now more cautious, why?

With danger the body releases adrenaline causes several metabolic changes:

• inhibition of insulin secretion; 
• promotion of glucagon secretion by the pancreas; 
• stimulation of glycogenolysis in the liver and muscles and 
• stimulation of glycolysis in muscles.

The body also releases of endorphins and neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. Endorphins mitigate pain, dopamine and norepinephrine are performance enhancers and are associated with pleasure.

Cocaine, thought as a most addictive substance simply floods the brain with dopamine, and norepinephrine mimics another addictive drug, speed. So dangerous activities have a powerful effect on the body’s chemistry.

Studies by Bardo that showed that people who were high novelty seekers and low harm avoiders had lower levels of dopamine in their brains. This is because they possess lower amounts of enzyme Monoamine Oxidase B (MOA B) that breaks down dopamine. They require higher levels of stimulation to experience pleasure and reward.

Dr Monasterio: “High novelty seekers tend to have low levels of dopamine and potentially what it implies is that people undertake risky or novel type experiences in order to bring up their levels of dopamine.” The Extreme Sports Brain, Catalyst, ABC Television, 06.03.2008.