So, let’s revisit that trip I took to The Japanese Garden in St Mawgan with H—because looking back, things were a bit more… complicated than just a stroll through nature.
I mean, on the surface, it was all very wholesome: plants, koi ponds, peaceful vibes. But if we’re being completely honest here on WanderSober, I was coming off a cocktail of steroids at the time (not the kind that’ll make you bench press a car, but the ones that make you question your mood swings and why your nutsack is nowhere to be seen), and I was also in the middle of trying to shake off some… let’s call them “other substances.” So yeah, maybe the expected zen wasn’t exactly on the menu for me.
Where’s the Dopamine When You Need It?
I remember walking through the garden, surrounded by all these perfectly manicured plants, but something felt a bit… off. Like, I could see that it was beautiful. I knew it was supposed to be calming. But the dopamine? The serotonin? Yeah, nowhere to be found. And here’s where the plot thickens: it wasn’t the garden’s fault.

The plants were doing their thing, the koi fish were thriving in their little ponds, and everyone else seemed to be soaking up that zen atmosphere. But me? I was stuck in my head, wondering if I’d left my ability to feel joy somewhere back in the car.
That’s the thing about coming off steroids and, y’know, other fun substances—they mess with your brain chemistry. Big time. It’s like, I wanted to enjoy the garden, I really did, but it’s hard to feel all that inner peace when your serotonin levels are throwing a tantrum and your dopamine’s on strike. So while H was getting properly into the whole vibe, I was just there like, “Okay, cool, this tree is nice, but why does everything still feel a bit meh?”
Plants, Zen, and a Serotonin Deficit
Now, I’m not saying the garden wasn’t lovely—because it was. The winding paths, the bonsai trees, the koi ponds, all very aesthetically pleasing. But when your brain is basically in the middle of a chemical rebellion, even the most serene setting can feel like you’re just going through the motions. Like, I could appreciate it intellectually, but the feeling part? That was a no-show.
It’s funny, because I think I kept waiting for some magical moment where the tranquillity of the garden would kick in and I’d have this wave of calm wash over me, like in the movies, where the protagonist suddenly realises the meaning of life while staring at a waterfall. But in reality, I was more like, “Yup, that’s a nice waterfall… so why do I still feel like I could use a nap and maybe some therapy?”
Steroids, Substances, and the Search for Zen
In hindsight, expecting a Japanese garden to cure my post-steroid, drug detox blues was probably a bit ambitious. It’s not like those bonsai trees were going to boost my serotonin levels. But hey, you live and learn, right? The garden did its job, offering a peaceful space, some nice plants, and a distraction from the noise in my head, but my brain? Yeah, it needed a bit more than nature could provide at that point.
I do think it’s funny, though. Like, here I was, walking through this beautiful, carefully crafted slice of Japan in the middle of Cornwall, and all I could think about was how my neurotransmitters were playing hide and seek. Nature’s great and all, but it turns out your brain chemistry needs to be on board to fully enjoy it. Who knew?
Looking Back: Dopamine or Not, It Was Still Worth It
To be fair, even though I was chemically out of sync, The Japanese Garden was a nice place to visit.
So yeah, if you’re looking for a tranquil escape, definitely check it out. Just maybe make sure your dopamine’s on board for the ride. Otherwise, you might end up like I did, surrounded by beauty but too busy questioning your state of reality to enjoy it