209. TJ Power: How Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin & Endorphins Drive Happiness and Longevity

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Oct 14, 2025

TJ Power, a neuroscientist and author of The DOSE Effect, discusses the biochemical roots of happiness. He dives into the DOSE framework—Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins—explaining how these neurochemicals influence our motivation and connections. Power shares insights on the effects of dopamine from social media, the importance of oxytocin for community bonds, and how nature can enrich serotonin levels. He also explores phone fasting and practical habits to enhance well-being, making a compelling case for rebalancing our neurochemistry.

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INSIGHT

Dopamine Is A Motivation Engine

Dopamine is the brain's drive for motivation and sustained attention, produced slowly to reward hard work and flow states.
Modern fast dopamine (social media, sugar, porn) dumps reward quickly and empties the dopamine 'factory', causing apathy and addiction.

INSIGHT

Dopamine Addiction Feels Like 'Normal'

Dopamine addiction often masks as thrill-seeking and normalcy; extreme behaviors can feel 'normal' to someone with low baseline dopamine.
Recognizing dopamine as the chased feeling helps reframe addictions as biochemical drives, not moral failings.

ANECDOTE

A 90-Day Nature Experiment Changed His Life

Tj Power left party life to live with his grandfather and experiment with hunter-gatherer routines for 90 days.
That summer revealed an 'alternative high' and inspired the DOSE acronym and his book.

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