The Model Health Show
TMHS 735: The Truth About Overeating, Addiction, & The Scarcity Brain - With Michael Easter
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Scarcity brain drives us to repeat unhealthy habits and seek short-term relief or escape from stressors.
- The modern world's overabundance of options and stimuli amplifies scarcity brain tendencies, leading to counterproductive habits.
- The scarcity loop, observed in addiction and gambling, is also present in overeating due to our evolutionary programming to store fat.
Deep dives
The Scarcity Brain and its Effects on Behavior
The podcast explores the concept of scarcity brain, which is the tendency of our brains to seek out and repeat behaviors that provide short-term relief or escape from underlying problems. This behavior is similar to the response our ancestors had when finding food in unpredictable environments. The interview reveals that this scarcity loop, which involves opportunity, unpredictable rewards, and quick repeatability, is present not only in slot machines but also in various other products and experiences, like social media, dating apps, and online gambling. The discussion sheds light on how scarcity cues, such as news of food scarcity, can trigger behavior like stress eating and overconsumption. Moreover, it highlights the effects of modern lifestyles, changes in physical activity, and the abundance of food options on our behavior patterns.
The Connection Between Escapism and Scarcity Brain
The podcast discusses how behaviors linked to scarcity brain often serve as a means of escape or relief from underlying stressors. Examples include excessive social media use, engaging in addictive behaviors, or overeating. These behaviors provide short-term stimulation and relief from boredom or stress. The conversation emphasizes that while such behaviors may initially offer gratification, they can lead to long-term problems and become counterproductive. The podcast highlights the importance of recognizing this tendency and finding healthier ways to fulfill our needs for stimulation and escape that align with our long-term well-being.
The Impact of Overabundance on Scarcity Brain
The podcast explores how the modern world's overabundance of options and stimuli can amplify scarcity brain tendencies. The discussion mentions the abundance of food choices, large menus at restaurants, and unlimited entertainment options. The availability of these choices triggers the scarcity loop, where individuals are inclined to try out different options and seek stimulation. The podcast suggests that this pattern of behavior can lead to overeating, compulsive purchases, and other counterproductive habits. It highlights the importance of understanding the influence of environmental factors in shaping our behaviors and making conscious choices that support overall well-being.
The Scarcity Loop in Addiction and Gambling
The podcast discusses how addiction and gambling are driven by the scarcity loop, in which the anticipation of a reward becomes addictive. Slot machines, for example, create a sense of scarcity and unpredictability by offering variable rewards to keep players engaged. By removing handles and adding spin buttons, the speed of gambling is increased, leading to a tenfold increase in slot machine gambling. This addictive nature of the scarcity loop extends to other areas of life, such as overeating, where our evolutionary programming to store fat drives us to overeat in anticipation of scarcity.
The Impact of Ultra Processed Foods and Boredom on Behavior
The podcast highlights the role of ultra processed foods and the scarcity loop in driving overeating. Ultra processed foods are designed to be easy to eat, high in calories, and provide a variety of flavors per bite, making it difficult to stop eating. These foods capitalize on our evolutionary programming to seek out energy-dense foods. Additionally, the podcast emphasizes the importance of boredom and solitude in combating the scarcity loop. Boredom is an evolutionary discomfort that motivates us to find productive activities, but modern technology provides effortless escapes from boredom. Creating opportunities for solitude and embracing boredom can enhance creativity and overall well-being.
What is the underlying factor that drives humans to engage in behaviors that are damaging? Whether it’s gambling, drinking, or eating to excess, it’s not uncommon in our society for folks to get sucked into repetitive, detrimental habits. It turns out, there’s an evolutionary foundation behind this behavior, and it’s the topic of the new book, The Scarcity Brain.
Today’s guest, Michael Easter is a professor and the author of The Comfort Crisis and The Scarcity Brain. His work encompasses the idea of utilizing modern science and evolutionary wisdom in order to lead healthier, more fulfilled lives. He joins this episode of The Model Health Show to share the fascinating science of scarcity, moderation, fixation, and happiness.
You’re going to learn about the scarcity loop and how it drives us to repeat unhealthy habits. We’ll talk about the psychology of gambling, overeating, excessive screen time, and so much more. If you want to break the cycle of constantly craving more, this interview will help you create meaningful change. I hope you enjoy this interview with Michael Easter!
In this episode you’ll discover:
- The interesting ways our society has removed discomfort from our daily lives.
- Why there’s an evolutionary mismatch between our drive and our environment.
- What scarcity brain means.
- Why moderation is so difficult for most folks.
- What we can learn about human drive from slot machines.
- Three main components of a behavior loop.
- Examples of the scarcity loop in our modern world.
- The psychology of gambling.
- What pigeon studies on gambling can teach us about stimulation.
- How the theory of optimal stimulation explains addiction.
- Why slot machines became more popular after a few simple tweaks.
- How humans evolved to overeat.
- The fascinating history of snacking.
- Three v’s of a popular snack.
- Why ultra-processed foods are easier to overeat.
- Three ways to fix your craving mindset.
- How scarcity cues can impact our behavior.
- The internal cues that prompt us to pick up our phones.
- How boredom can enhance creativity.
Items mentioned in this episode include:
- Organifi.com/Model -- Use the coupon code MODEL for 20% off + free shipping!
- Foursigmatic.com/model -- Get an exclusive discount on your daily health elixirs!
- Scarcity Brain by Michael Easter
- The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
- Connect with Michael Easter Website / Newsletter / Instagram
Join TMHS Facebook community - Model Nation
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