Dopamine Detoxing is a Scam (But You Should Still Do It) (Podcast Episode 334)

In today’s fast-paced digital world, the concept of “dopamine detoxing” has gained traction as a method to reset our brains from constant stimulation. But what exactly is dopamine detoxing, and does it hold any scientific merit? Today, we’ll delve into the science behind dopamine, debunk the myths surrounding dopamine detoxing, explore how modern motivations hijack your brain’s reward system, and then I’ll give you actionable strategies to recalibrate your relationship with dopamine and your world so you can feel more peaceful, serene, and content.

Click here to read the full blog and show notes!

For the One Love Collective Community:

Tier I:

• Seven-Day Behavioral Reset Challenge
• Journaling Prompts: Discovering Your Dopamine Triggers

Tier II:

• Build Your Low-Dopamine Routine
• Dopamine Overdrive Quiz
• Dopamine Audit: What’s Draining Your Focus and Joy?

Tier III:

• Journal Your Way Back to Meaning
• The Dopamine Shift Tracker: 30 Days to Clarity, Calm & Real Joy

Buy the bundle to get all the above for only $8!

Resources for Dopamine Detoxing is a Scam (But You Should Still Do It)

Buy the bundle for only $8!

Mindfulness Starter Kit

Why We Eat Our Feelings: Understanding and Overcoming Emotional Eating

Berridge, K. C., & Robinson, T. E. (1998). What is the role of dopamine in reward: Hedonic impact, reward learning, or incentive salience? Brain Research Reviews, 28(3), 309-369. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0173(98)00019-8

Fei, Y. Y., Johnson, P. A., Omran, A. L., Mardon, A., & Johnson, J. C. (2022). Maladaptive or misunderstood? Dopamine fasting as a potential intervention for behavioral addiction. Lifestyle Medicine, 3(1), e54. https://doi.org/10.1002/lim2.54

Grinspoon,  Peter. Dopamine fasting: Misunderstanding science spawns a maladaptive fad, Harvard Health Publishing, 2020

Volkow, Nora D. et al. The Brain on Drugs: From Reward to Addiction, Cell, Volume 162, Issue 4, 712 – 725

Koob, George F et al. Neurobiology of addiction: a neurocircuitry analysis, The Lancet Psychiatry, Volume 3, Issue 8, 760 – 773

Berridge, Kent C. et al. Pleasure Systems in the Brain, Neuron, Volume 86, Issue 3, 646 – 664

Volkow ND, Wang GJ, Fowler JS, Tomasi D, Telang F, Baler R. Addiction: decreased reward sensitivity and increased expectation sensitivity conspire to overwhelm the brain’s control circuit. Bioessays. 2010 Sep;32(9):748-55. doi: 10.1002/bies.201000042. PMID: 20730946; PMCID: PMC2948245.

Koob GF, Volkow ND. Neurobiology of addiction: a neurocircuitry analysis. Lancet Psychiatry. 2016 Aug;3(8):760-773. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(16)00104-8. PMID: 27475769; PMCID: PMC6135092.

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