The Giants Shoulder #29 Dopamine Expert: How to Rewire your Brain for Meaning in a World Addicted to MORE!
Mike Long is a playwright, speechwriter, and co-author of Taming the Molecule of More — the practical sequel to the bestselling neuroscience book The Molecule of More.Dopamine doesn’t bring happiness — it brings anticipation. It’s the molecule that keeps us scrolling, swiping, craving, and chasing. But when understood and tamed, it can also drive purpose, focus, and deeply fulfilling lives.
Expect to learn why dopamine isn’t about pleasure at all, how it hijacks our relationships, sex lives, and attention spans, the true science behind dopamine fasting and cold plunges, how porn and dating apps rewire the brain’s reward system, the difference between craving and contentment, why “boosting dopamine” is a myth, how to inject novelty into long-term love, how GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are changing the science of addiction, and how to finally align your brain’s pursuit system with long-term meaning
Timestamps:
00:01:55 – Understanding Dopamine: The Molecule of More
00:04:56 – The Misconceptions of Dopamine and Happiness
00:07:55 – Taming the Molecule of More: Motivations and Insights
00:10:56 – Dopamine's Role in Human Evolution and Modern Life
00:13:58 – Rewiring the Brain: Valuing the Present vs. Future
00:17:07 – The Impact of Technology on Dopamine Levels
00:19:49 – Finding Meaning in a Dopamine-Driven World
00:23:03 – The Importance of Self-Reflection and Belief Systems
00:25:50 – Dopamine Fasting: Myths and Realities
00:28:56 – Boosting Dopamine: Exercise and Lifestyle Choices
00:43:07 – The Power of Small Daily Actions
00:45:25 – Dopamine and Relationships
00:51:07 – Understanding Expectations in Relationships
00:52:13 – Mindfulness and Reaction to Stimulation
00:56:35 – Injecting Novelty into Relationships
01:02:26 – Navigating Attraction and Cravings
01:07:59 – The Importance of Meaning in Life
01:12:27 – Finding Meaning and Purpose
01:25:08 – Practical Steps to Manage Impulses.
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