AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
The Neuro Chemotherapy Game
In my early twenties, i was sliding towards depression. The more i could understand the mechanisms of my brain, the more i felt in control. Once i understood that relationships are this sort of ever changing neuro chemical cocktail, i wasn't surprised when that initial drug like love of just being consumed by thoughts of his wife went. And so i'll be interested to see if this resonates with you.
From the time you were born, dopamine receptors in your brain have been firing off to keep you alive, to keep you motivated and keep you focused on pursuing something worthwhile. If you were born in the digital age of technology where electronic devices and social media started affecting your life directly or indirectly. You easily start feeling like you're not enough, there’s something missing or like you should be doing more than you are.
Anna Lembke is a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. She writes, “humans are the ultimate seekers.” Because of the way we are wired with the flood of hormones and chemicals released physiologically, we are always looking for the next dopamine hit without ever consciously identifying and labeling it. So, if it is in your nature to pursue a reward that is ever elusive, what reward do you decide to focus on?
In this episode, Anna and Tom explore why using the love of the pursuit as a drug of choice to get dopamine rewards can be very dangerous. Anna also explains the pleasure pain balance and why too much pleasure and too much positive overload is still a form of stress to watch out for.
Order Anna Lembke’s book, Dopamine Nation, Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/152474672X?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
SHOW NOTES:
0:00 | Introduction to Anna Lembke
1:00 | Pursuit is Rewarding
10:12 | Dopamine Insensitivity
16:17 | Pleasure Pain Balance
26:24 | Dopamine Reset
29:21 | Cannabis Use & Potency
34:07 | Pornography Addiction
39:56 | Truth Telling Reward
50:38 | Spirituality in Neurochemistry
59:05 | Social Media Connection
1:12:16 | To Exert Will or Not
1:25:10 | Danger in Striving
Follow Anna Lembke:
Website: https://www.annalembke.com/
Check out our sponsors:
Indeed: Get a FREE $75 CREDIT to upgrade your job post at indeed.com/IMPACT
Athletic Greens: Go to athleticgreens.com/impact and receive a FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase!
ButcherBox: Skip the lines for your Thanksgiving turkey. ButcherBox is proud to give new members a free turkey at ButcherBox.com/impact
Headspace: Go to headspace.com/impact to get one month FREE of their entire meditation library.
Helix Sleep: Go to HelixSleep.com/impact for up to $200 off your mattress and 2 free pillows.
InsideTracker: Get 25% off their entire store at insidetracker.com/impacttheory
Are You Ready for EXTRA Impact?
If you’re ready to find true fulfillment, strengthen your focus, and ignite your true potential, the Impact Theory subscription was created just for you.
Want to transform your health, sharpen your mindset, improve your relationship, or conquer the business world? This is your epicenter of greatness.
This is not for the faint of heart. This is for those who dare to learn obsessively, every day, day after day.
Subscription Benefits:
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PCvJaz
Subscribe on all other platforms (Google Podcasts, Spotify, Castro, Downcast, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Podcast Addict, Podcast Republic, Podkicker, and more) : https://impacttheorynetwork.supercast.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode