Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence with Anna Lembke

Stanford psychiatry professor Anna Lembke-New York Times bestselling author of Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence-decodes complex neuroscience into applicable strategies that explain why the relentless pursuit of pleasure can lead to pain. An expert in treating addictions of all kinds, Lembke discusses the biology and psychology of why people become addicted to certain substances and behaviors and the key role our dopamine balance plays in creating addiction. Learn how conducting a dopamine fast can help curb our desire to overindulge in high-reward, high-dopamine stimuli. Find contentment and connectedness by keeping dopamine in check.
Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences (general psychiatry and psychology-adult)

[@prasanthnarayanan5519]

She's a hero of modern times.❤

[@richperkins5192]

Euphoric recall is a real struggle

[@mohammadka5704]

Very, very comprehensive and yet, a short explanation of one of the greatest concepts about addiction and dopamine, great work Dr Anna

[@grady_young]

A life of freedom and peace: Abstain, maintain, seek out pain :) Dr. Lembke is the best!

[@grady_young]

I’m back. I watch this video frequently because I find no other piece of media in existence is more directly applicable to the recurring struggle of my life. Here’s my thing now: I have no problem abstaining. I can easily click on my aggressive drive and make it to 30 days off grid, if beed be. But I’m 27 and single, and I want (and need) to be social. This is the crux. I can’t seem to be social AND maintain abstinence from high pleasure experiences. My friends are addicted to nicotine, social media, video games, food, etc. And they aren’t bad ppl! Most are highly functional! Engineers, phd students, salesmen, etc. Yet, I can’t say any are healthy. On the flip side I do have some friends that I would consider to be quite healthy. But they aren’t very socially adept. Idk. No conclusions here. I’ll check in later.

[@grady_young]

One more thing. Not only is it just my friends, but also social rituals for ppl in their twenties are DEEPLY tied to overabundance. Drinking, staying out late, smoking weed, talking about tv shows or tiktoks you’ve binged, etc. These things probably sound trite or like an over exaggeration to an older generation. But these are absolutely the dominant social rituals. And I’m not judging, I’ve participated in all of them. I’m just voicing my thoughts in an attempt to make enough sense to solve this problem. Be social AND healthy as a person in their twenties.

[@shyanndestiny2462]

@@grady_young I can completely relate. Although, I'm still actively using my gaming to connect with others, some people prefer other things that I cannot participate in like TV, alcohol, drugs, etc. It's also awkward when your vices don't line up. We almost have a default roadblock to connecting because of this. I find it frustrating and repetitive for my age group. I hope it changes soon cos I'm starting to give up things in an attempt to stay "balanced" ;)

[@valeriefraysse-soi]

Thank you ! this is sooo helpful !

[@demetriusp.5020]

When i watch these kinds of speeches and lectures, i cant help but see thqt what they suggest is clearly and universaly known by religion, philosophy, and common folk knowledge. Every body knowns that you shouldnt unlimitely indulge in pleasures, everybody knows that pain, and discipline set one free, thqts why the pilgrim of orthodoxy walk with his knees up a steep hill to a church, thats why the yogi isolate themselves in a dark cave and thats why the Stoic spends a day of the week in a cabin in a dark forest, reading and chopping wood. It is great that we can measure these things now with the help of science, but this knowledge was always there. "Idleness is the mother of all evil" afterall

[@naeemabed9126]

I loved how nicely this was put this wad put

[@Iwasonceanonionwithnolayers]

Thqt? Wad put? I mean, I agree, but...editing takes 2 seconds 👀

[@enriksouls6636]

@@Iwasonceanonionwithnolayers go suck on a lemon buddy

[@sundeepbhat7]

Agreed with most of it but modern dopanmine delivery mechanisms are insidious - there’s no such thing as discipline or self control - most humans don’t have it, we’re just not built like this. Exactly what big tech ( and anyone who uses the tools - business, govt etc) is exploiting. We need a new set of governance models with science based regulations or we’re honestly fucked.

[@symphony357]

this info. is so helpful! Thank you for posting!

[@anishreddy4756]

Awesome work Professor!

[@catvision777]

this is so interesting. Thank you very much!

[@spacecowboy9479]

Thank you very much. God bless you. Amen.

[@thedownwarddoug6642]

Incredible. Interesting and entertaining

[@jinxue6072]

seek out pain. great idea!

[@missaomagica2198]

I just love her book , the best about adiction

[@lynnmcquillan2338]

What a wonderful woman 🙇‍♀️🙏🙇‍♀️

[@agnesagni]

Grateful for this delightful and inspiring introduction to Anna Lembke's work.

[@fhaquuu]

Excellent info. Pertains to everything from over indulging in food, video games all the way to cocaine addiction.

[@a.j.swartwood9242]

Huberman brought me here! this is such powerful insight (personally and societally) on the science of why i have felt like i have and how i can make it better. thank you Dr. Anna!!

[@tallmikbcroft6937]

10:44 this is an interesting observation... The early on set withdrawal symptoms are similar for all addictions. Thank you for your work and for sharing it

[@user-ds5jm4tw6u]

Brilliant!

[@nv648]

What a beautiful presentation with a spot on clarity.. Speaks a lot about her experience.. Great video

[@amalraj5941]

Truly Amazing 🤍

[@eliteboxfitness]

Anna is superb and I enjoy her delivery style

[@stevevos2764]

Hey Anne. I’m ready for my PhD in dopamine addiction. Besides your book. Dopamine Nation. I listened to two of your shorts a 1000 times minimum. Haha. I’m only a C+ student at best. The pursuit of Pleasure And the pain pleasure teeter totter balance. Thank you Teacher

[@FocusedClarity]

Thanks Anna ❤😇

[@openmystic163]

On "seeking pain" - this is the best explanation ever for the highly positive experiences I had as an S/M player active masochist. The activity seems to powerfully turbocharge your primary awareness channels. It is counter cultural as you say. One of the best explorations I ever did! A stark strong visit to the pleasure-pain balance/equivalence. In identity change role play, I would typically be beaten hard on the bare back with a leather whip. For some, it can be an addictive pleasurable experience.

[@taelor56]

Just speak normal ya weirdo

[@fourcards2136]

damn this is good lecture

[@ansoomustafa6292]

These are very helpful information and thanks for this. They remind me of Surah 91 verse 1-10 in the Quran.

[@jasonlee9935]

That was phenomenal. I'm not sure how easily applicable that is for those fighting substance abuse, but seems easy enough for your daily basic battles with dopamine regulation.

[@Lord_of_Evil]

Addiction is not a matter of Dopamine but a matter of ΔFosB

[@kiwidenk]

Middle path between pleasure and pain Lembke recommends makes you wonder about dichotomy between work and play. Work takes effort - "pain", but maybe actually makes us feel better than play in the long run. Maybe that's why most people spend more time working than playing, not because they have to, but because it feels better. I think the dichotomy between work and play is false anyway, you can be doing both at once.

[@AddictionFreedom]

“Remember this, when a person tries to force themselves to quit doing something, they literally create a battle within their own mind. This battle strips their soul of energy and future progress. If you’re trying to quit nicotine, I can show you how to free yourself. No one quits because they ‘Want’ to quit. People only quit because their Mind is Ready.”

[@pyb.5672]

People quit when the withdrawal effects are upstaged by the intoxicating effects of realizing the vision of a positive future for themselves.

[@MasterBetham]

@@pyb.5672 love that! That's exactly how I would describe my escape from the nicotine trap.

[@TOKILUPESii]

❤❤❤❤

[@brucemah609]

9:35 what to do ab9ut it?❤ Gratitude Doctor

[@suzybee123]

“Rich nations” have the highest use of pharmaceutical drugs…

[@JJ-bd2xn]

What about people who take meds for adhd like adderall,would that be useless and they should quite?

[@emsmac80]

Yup, she's v cool 😊

[@labsanta]

Dr. Anna Lembke discusses various aspects of how the brain processes pleasure and pain, and how this understanding can be applied to improve life. 1. **[**00:00** - **03:57**] Understanding the Pleasure-Pain Balance and Dopamine Release** - **Learning Outcomes:** - Grasping the neuroscience behind pleasure and pain. - Understanding the role of dopamine in reinforcing behaviors. - **To Do/Skills:** - Recognize the impact of various stimuli on dopamine release. - Awareness of how different activities or substances affect our brain's reward pathway. 2. **[**03:57** - **06:00**] The Dynamics of Addiction and Dopamine Deficit** - **Learning Outcomes:** - Learning about the mechanism of addiction. - Understanding the concept of a chronic dopamine deficit state. - **To Do/Skills:** - Identify patterns of addiction in personal behavior. - Develop strategies to avoid falling into a chronic dopamine deficit state. 3. **[**06:00** - **07:28**] Triggers and Anticipation in Relation to Reward** - **Learning Outcomes:** - Comprehending how anticipation and reminders can trigger dopamine release. - Understanding the impact of unmet expectations on our dopamine levels. - **To Do/Skills:** - Learn to recognize and manage triggers. - Develop coping strategies for dealing with unmet expectations. 4. **[**07:28** - **09:59**] The Plenty Paradox and its Impact on Modern Life** - **Learning Outcomes:** - Understanding the paradox of overabundance leading to unhappiness. - Recognizing the effects of chronic exposure to high-reward substances. - **To Do/Skills:** - Evaluate personal consumption of high-reward substances or activities. - Reflect on how this consumption affects overall happiness and well-being. 5. **[**09:59** - **11:57**] Practical Strategies for Restoring Balance** - **Learning Outcomes:** - Learning the importance of abstaining to reset the reward pathways. - Gaining insights into maintaining balance and managing cravings. - **To Do/Skills:** - Practice abstinence from addictive behaviors or substances. - Create strategies for maintaining gains and establishing healthy habits. 6. **[**11:57** - **13:04**] Seeking Out Pain to Restore Balance** - **Learning Outcomes:** - Understanding the role of ‘pain’ in balancing the pleasure-pain dynamic. - Learning about activities that can positively influence dopamine levels. - **To Do/Skills:** - Engage in activities like exercise, meditation, or fasting. - Implement practices that induce 'good' stress to balance dopamine levels. 7. **[**13:04**] Challenge and Self-Reflection** - **Learning Outcomes:** - Encouragement for self-observation and reflection on compulsive behaviors. - **To Do/Skills:** - Take up the challenge to abstain from a compulsive behavior for 24 hours. - Reflect on the relationship with that behavior and consider changes.

[@JamesVestal-dz5qm]

If we wait long enough our homeostasis is restored. Now I need help sticking to that. Look at how dopamine spike from seeing the drug of choice is irrational because you haven't taken the drug. So it's all psychological. I have problems with law enforcement but I get out of bed every morning because I know things.

[@ariekem8088]

If you abstain for a short period, and you become irritable and anxious, is that worth it for a day? Could this reduce your quality of live in the long term (if you do this overtime)? Or are the benifits bigger than the downside, because reduction of dopamine, increases the dopamine production on other times/with more moderate pleasures?

[@maddy-nc9gb]

She told in another podcast that to quit a addiction 80-90% people need to completely avoid that thing for 30 to 40 days. Initial 10 days will be very hard, agitation anxiety etc etc. After 10-15 days it will only get better & by the end of 30 40 days addiction will be gone. The anxiety agitation, pain you go through in initial 2 weeks are totally 100% worth it. It wont affect your quality of life in bad way. Addiction is a disease which has to be cured to make you better & healthy person. do better things for healthy production of dopamine like exercise eat healthy etc., hope I could clear your doubt

[@taelor56]

​@@maddy-nc9gbshe said it in this lecture aswel

[@bruadair]

wow

[@georgeherzog5929]

Parkinson's appears to be a pathological dopamine deficit. How does that fit into this discussion?

[@lisareiter5368]

I heard a man tell about how walking four hours every day stopped his Parkinson’s symptoms.

[@pain3603]

God bless you Anna (⁠｡⁠･⁠ω⁠･⁠｡⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♡

[@joesphbegley3088]

Self flagellation comes to mind. Many religions practiced it.

[@FocusedClarity]

✝️💗

[@gaeunkim9106]

I am curious how you think about knowledge addiction? Modern society values good education but after studying for long periods of time, I feel like I don't experience other activities enough, missing out on small pleasures in life such as spending time with friends and family. How would you view this problem? I know I am somehow wired to be a good student, but just like how people feel after hours of video games, I always wonder, "Is this the right way to live my short life to it's fullest?"

[@annemay3897]

I think you already have your answer in your question 😊

[@Frivals]

9:00 the cause of unhappiness and depression is not dopamine addiction, is the lack of connection, and the lack of connection between people is caused by the balance capitalism economic system because is a system which promote fight between people not cooperation. That's why in "poor" by capitalism standards countries people are more happy.

[@mrdanilodiaz]

That is because poor countries are always in pain. This causes the balance to tip on pain and thus makes you happier.

[@Nature-of-reality]

is she addressing kids?

[@MarkRoberts-fd7mg]

Listening to this as i buy drugs.. throwing them out hahaha

[@nathan4678]

Wow she called out league of legends, possibly more addictive than any substance she mentioned lol

[@georgeschiraga5725]

Not everyone who is suffering from depression etc is because of this skinner tjheory

[@deepzan1]

Amphetamine is not necessarily more addictive than chocolate?! Cmon

[@ironmaidenshredd]

Bit of a stretch ey? Perhaps she was catering to the ADHD folks out there who use stimulants regularly?

[@FocusedClarity]

🪶✝️💗

[@FocusedClarity]

F The chocolate 😂😂😂❤

[@georgeschiraga5725]

IN OUR SOCIETY EVERONE IS A JUNKIE ?

[@TheSunDanceKid100]

Was she ever on drugs or just read books?

[@deepzan1]

I don't think she has even talked to substance addiction specialists

[@zes3813]

wrr, no anxietx, deprex etc any nmw and any s perfx, no such thing as dopamix about drugx , drugx etc doesn tamtter, no such thing as remindx or rememberx or not forgx or etc, think, do, can think, do etc any nmw and any s perfx

[@giovannidebei4842]

plenty of words, yet lack of logical demonstration, in my understanding

[@duruphd]

Hi Dr. Lembke - I saw this talk at the Graduate Alumni event earlier this year. Since then, I've watched your "After Skool" video with a slightly longer version and, even better, your 2-part series on Hidden Brain. I am on the board for a new mental health charity called Rising Opportunities Through Science and Service (ROSES, @rosesinc) where I think this content would be a great addition to our webinar series and would help us grow and reach more of our target demographic of 18-35 year olds. How do we submit a request for a 10-minute (or longer) appearance on a webinar or similar contribution to our mental health series? Thanks in advance!