So let's talk about it, and how you can fix it.
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Common examples are:
- Netflix
- junk food
- social media
- pornography
- video games
Each release amounts of dopamine that would be impossible to experience in nature.
Porn is by far the worst, all harmful tho.
Why does this matter?
When your brain is flooded with dopamine from these
It becomes "too intense" - your brain essentially goes...
"Woah! That's a LOT. Turn it down!"
By reducing the number of dopamine receptors in your brain.
That same stimuli you've been consuming now gives you less of a buzz
Because there are less receptors for dopamine to bind to.
You need greater stimulation to feel the same way as before.
So you seek that... flooding your brain with MORE dopamine.
Your brain then reduces the number of receptors even more.
- Reduced receptors, need more stimulation
- Seek more stimulation
- Need more stimulation
- Seek more stimulation
Eventually you get to a point where you have so few dopamine receptors that your reward center is "burned out."
- Lethargy
- Lack of motivation
- Loss of enjoyment of life in general
Conversations aren't as enjoyable.
A beautiful sunset makes you feel nothing.
Hanging out with friends isn't as appealing.
Know anyone like that?
And it's no wonder why:
They are the only thing that allow it to feel anything now.
This is a HUGE problem.
Dopamine controls your motivation for everything.
If it's really bad, you won't even want to get out of bed.
Good news though!
You can fix it.
If you watch porn regularly, cutting that out is the best way to start.
It does far more damage than most of the others.
However cutting back on the other activities is big too.
One of the best things you can do to help your reward center heal and function better
Is developing some new habits that are less technology oriented.
Read, write, journal, draw, exercise, Qi Gong, walks in nature..
The more your brain will repopulate its dopamine receptors.
As your brain heals you'll naturally find yourself enjoying little things more again
You'll feel more drawn to less stimulating activities..
If you really want to go scorched-earth and take it to an extreme
You can also experiment with dopamine detoxing
This is when you starve your brain of dopamine for a while to repopulate receptors more quickly.
Fasting.
Phone is off.
No computer.
No sexual stimulation.
No alcohol.
No drugs.
Just you, a journal, nature, books - though some recommend avoiding even books.
And there's quite a bit of anecdotal evidence to support that.
Just look up Dopamine Detoxing on YouTube.
You'll find protocols & people's experiences.
Don't fall into the modern trap of endlessly consuming supernormal stimuli.
Thanks for making it to the end!
If you enjoyed, please RT to save a life 🤝