Stijn Noorman Profile picture
Jan 30, 2025 15 tweets 5 min read Read on X
The most misunderstood self-help topic:

Dopamine.

It's why you feel tired, depressed and unmotivated.

Here’s how you control your dopamine for maximum motivation (backed by science): Image
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter.

Most people think it's the pleasure molecule.

But it's actually the molecule of craving and pursuing.

Pleasure is the reward you get for pursuing something worthwhile. Image
Dopamine shows you that you're on the right path.

It's release when you achieve a milestone.

Or when you make progress.
Humans are aiming creatures.

We get positive emotion from moving toward a meaningful goal.

The more meaningful the goal, the bigger the dopamine release.
Instant gratification is dangerous because:

• It's fast to get
• It's easy to get
• It's a supernormal stimuli

Limit your consumption to prevent desensitization.
The main danger is getting dopamine without putting in effort.

This trains your brain to learn that you don't need to put in effort to get a reward.
Too much consumption leads to desensitization.

This gives you a numbed pleasure response.

Which means you need more stimulation for the same effect. Image
This means you'll need increasingly more stimulation.

A study in sheep showed that novelty also plays a huge role in this. Image
This is a problem because big peaks also lead to big crashes.

So let's talk about how you can use dopamine properly now...
Intermittent rewards are the key to dopamine use.

Allow yourself to release dopamine intermittently.

This keeps it fun without desensitizing your brain.
Also get your dopamine from the right activities:

• Sauna
• Sunlight
ª Journaling
• Workouts
• Good food
• Meditation
• Cold showers
• Supplementation
• Social connections
When you do this, you maintain a healthy dopamine baseline.

Which is important for motivation and drive.
A dopamine detox can help to restore your motivation.

You need 30 days to reset your dopamine system.
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2) RT the post below to help more people to control their dopamine. Thanks!

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More from @stijnnoorman

Dec 4, 2025
The most valuable skill in the world:

Decision-making.

I studied how Naval, Elon, and billionaires make decisions.

Here's how you make better decisions than 99% of people: Image
Humans are better at spotting threats.

Because it's better for our survival.

Invert to make better decisions.
Use first-principles thinking.

Focus on the most fundamental truths.

Work your way up from there.

Question everything else.
Read 26 tweets
Nov 25, 2025
The most abused and misunderstood drug in the world:

Caffeine.

It can either ruin your life or make it much better.

Here’s how it works and how to use it properly (backed by science): Image
About 85% of American adults consume caffeine every day.

The average daily intake is about 200 mg.

The most common source of caffeine is coffee. Image
Caffeine is moderately addictive compared to other drugs.

• 80% of adults consume caffeine daily
• 35% show dependence symptoms
• 15% have significant dependence

Here’s how it compares to other drugs: Image
Read 20 tweets
Oct 28, 2025
I spent $2096 on writing courses.

Here are the 8 best lessons I learned to gain 20,000+ followers in 6 months:
1. Stairways

Stairways are underrated.

• Stand out
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• Easy to read

Pay attention to writing aesthetics. Image
2. Conciseness

People are busy.

Write like it.

• Simple
• Concise
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Simplicity is the ultimate profundity. Image
Read 13 tweets
Sep 3, 2025
Jordan Peterson and Andrew Huberman changed my life.

I watched hundreds of their videos over the last few years.

Here are the 20 best habits I learned that will change your life: Image
1. Caffeine Use

How to use caffeine properly:

• Don’t take caffeine within 90-120min of waking up
• Don’t take caffeine 10 hours before going to bed
• Don’t take more than 3-4 cups of coffee per day

Use this as guidelines, not rules. Image
2. Overcoming Procrastination

Procrastination is a trick of your brain to save energy.

This is good for survival but not for your goals.

Do what you actually need to do.
Read 25 tweets
Aug 28, 2025
Naval Ravikant changed my life.

I read his book and watched all his podcasts and videos.

Here are his 16 best lessons on becoming rich and happy: Image
Everyone can get rich.

There's only one thing you need:

Education.

Learn the right skills and you can get rich.
Jobs won't make you rich.

You won't get rich by renting out your time.

Invest or build your own brand.

Disconnect your time from your income. Image
Read 21 tweets
Jun 23, 2025
The most controversial drugs in the world:

Alcohol vs weed.

I studied the science on both to find out which one is worse.

Here's what they do to you (backed by science): Image
Weed use has drastically increased.

Alcohol use has also increased but not as much. Image
Alcohol is the drug that causes the most harm.

Especially harm to others.

It causes even more harm than heroin and crack. Image
Read 29 tweets

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