Unhooked: Breaking Porn Addiction Podcast The Molecule of More: How Dopamine Fuels Addiction and Disconnection, w/ Mike Long
May 26, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Mike Long, co-author of 'The Molecule of More' and an expert on dopamine, uncovers how this powerful neurotransmitter drives addiction, particularly in the digital age. He distinguishes between wanting and enjoying, revealing why porn can be especially addictive. Mike shares practical steps to regain control, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and meaningful experiences over temporary pleasure. With insights on dopamine's evolutionary role and the necessity of finding purpose, listeners gain valuable tools for breaking the cycle of craving.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Dopamine Is The Molecule Of More
- Dopamine drives anticipation and possibility, not enjoyment of the present moment.
- Mike Long reframes dopamine as the "molecule of more," explaining its role in craving and wanting.
Craving Outlasts Pleasure
- Addiction persists because craving (dopamine) doesn't downregulate even when pleasure fades.
- This mismatch explains why people continue behaviors that no longer bring enjoyment.
Evolutionary Purpose Of Dopamine
- Dopamine evolved as a survival system to flag unfamiliar, possibly useful or dangerous stimuli.
- It also supports controlled imagination, letting us plan and simulate future scenarios.