Bitesize Biohack: Dopamine, Focus & Flow - How to Feel and Perform At Your Best
High Performance Health
Understanding Dopamine's Role in Mental Well-Being
This chapter explores strategies to enhance mental well-being by managing dopamine levels and understanding the effects of significant life events on mood. It highlights the role of daily routines and offers practical advice for maintaining mental health amidst modern distractions.
In this powerful conversation, Angela is joined by psychologist and speaker TJ Power for a deep dive into the hidden drivers of mental well-being and high performance—your brain chemicals. From dopamine to serotonin, oxytocin to endorphins, TJ unpacks how these natural neurotransmitters shape your focus, energy, mood, and motivation—and more importantly, how to harness them for better mental clarity and productivity.
They explore practical, science-backed strategies to help you reset your brain and thrive in a world full of distractions. You’ll discover how to boost dopamine naturally (without the crash), why your morning routine is more powerful than you think, how to stay in flow longer, and what it really takes to beat burnout. If you’re feeling foggy, overstimulated, or just not like yourself lately—this episode is your brain’s wake-up call.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Flow State Foundations: You need at least 15 minutes of uninterrupted focus to enter a true flow state. Distractions like your phone can easily break this.
- Broad vs. Narrow Attention: Breaks should involve "broad attention" activities like walking or talking, not phones or sugar, to help the brain reset.
- Brain Chemicals 101: Dopamine drives motivation, oxytocin supports connection, serotonin regulates mood and energy, and endorphins help reduce stress.
- Boost Without the Crash: Cold exposure can naturally boost dopamine. Heat (like saunas) helps increase endorphins and support recovery.
- Dopamine Overload: Constant stimulation (social media, sugar, alcohol) overstimulates dopamine pathways, leading to a low, flat mood.
- Morning Reset: The best fix for low dopamine and motivation? Change how you start your day—simple shifts can improve your mental health dramatically.
Timestamps and Key Topics
00:00 - How to get into flow
01:45 - 60–75 mins max focus
02:32 - Dopamine crash after rewards
03:01 - Broad attention during breaks
03:44 - Functions of 4 brain chemicals
04:35 - Cold vs heat effect on brain
05:41 - Endorphins and stress relief
06:57 - Sauna helps flow recovery
08:18 - Behaviour affects brain chemistry
08:49 - Overstimulation breaks dopamine
09:42 - Start your day right
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ABOUT THE HOST
Angela Foster is an award winning Nutritionist, Health & Performance Coach, Speaker and Host of the High Performance Health podcast. A former Corporate lawyer turned industry leader in biohacking and health optimisation for women, Angela has been featured in various media including Huff Post, Runners world, The Health Optimisation Summit, BrainTap, The Women’s Biohacking Conference, Livestrong & Natural Health Magazine.
Angela is the creator of BioSyncing®️ a blueprint for ambitious entrepreneurial women to biohack their health so they can 10X how they show up in their business and their family without burning out.
The High Performance Health Podcast is a top rated global podcast. Each week, Angela brings you a new insight, biohack or high performance habit to help you unlock optimal health, longevity and higher performance. Hit the follow button to make sure you get notified each time Angela releases a new episode.
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