The Clark Kegley Podcast The Book That Explains Why Nothing Feels Good Anymore
Aug 28, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of dopamine and its effects on motivation and addiction. Discover how modern technology, particularly smartphones, fuels our cravings for quick rewards. Explore the tension between the pursuit of pleasure and the pain of dissatisfaction, with insights from both neuroscience and ancient wisdom. Hear personal stories about nicotine addiction and the struggle for balance. Uncover strategies to break free from addiction and find true peace in life.
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Dopamine Fuels Seeking, Not Pleasure
- Dopamine drives motivation by creating anticipation more than pleasure.
- If dopamine is constantly stimulated, motivation for other activities collapses.
Speed And Size Increase Addiction Risk
- Faster and larger dopamine spikes make behaviors far more addictive.
- Artificial sources (games, drugs, screens) produce bigger spikes than natural rewards.
Pleasure-Pain Seesaw Explains Highs And Lows
- The brain balances pleasure and pain like a seesaw; excess pleasure invites compensatory pain.
- Artificial pleasure skews the seesaw far more, causing sharp lows after highs.
