Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin | Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition Dopamine vs Oxytocin: How Our Phones Are Rewiring the Brain’s Reward System | Tj Power | Be Well Moments
Nov 10, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Tj Power, a neuroscience expert, dives into how our phones are rewiring our brains. He explains the contrasting roles of dopamine and oxytocin, emphasizing how quick dopamine hits from screens can hinder meaningful connections. Tj illustrates how parents scrolling during dinner can leave family members feeling neglected and urges listeners to recognize the importance of oxytocin from face-to-face interactions. He also shares that effortful tasks truly replenish our dopamine reserves, unlike passive scrolling, which drains our motivation.
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Dinner Table Phone Disconnect
- Sarah Ann Macklin describes a restaurant dinner where parents scrolled their phones while their teen sat excluded and phone-less.
- The scene illustrated how device use can erode family conversation and visible connection.
Put Phones Out Of Reach At Meals
- Sarah Ann Macklin says to put your phone away during meals to preserve oxytocin-rich connection.
- Create physical distance by keeping phones out of reach to prioritize face-to-face interaction.
Oxytocin Fulfills; Dopamine Demands More
- Tj Power explains oxytocin provides deep fulfillment while dopamine drives an endless craving for "more."
- Choosing dopamine-rich triggers like scrolling can leave people feeling flat and unsatisfied later.