The Dr. Leaf Show Your Outrage is Being Monetized and Your Mind is Paying the Price
Oct 29, 2025
Discover how algorithms profit from fueling outrage and trap our minds in destructive cycles. Learn about the dopamine-cortisol loop that heightens reactivity and the non-conscious habits that keep us scrolling. Get practical strategies to reclaim your mental peace, including a quick neurocycle tool to break the pattern of emotional chaos. Explore how small, intentional changes can rewire your thoughts and habits, freeing you from the grips of algorithmic manipulation.
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Outrage Is Engineered For Engagement
- Algorithms reward emotional volatility by learning what keeps you engaged rather than what helps you think clearly.
- Caroline Leaf explains that platforms seek cortisol-provoking reactions because they are profitable, not truthful.
Why Anger Spreads Faster Online
- Anger spreads fastest online because it triggers both non-conscious corrective urges and the brain's reward anticipation.
- This simultaneous activation raises cortisol and primes repeated engagement, creating a volatile loop.
The Dopamine–Cortisol Loop
- Dopamine sharpens focus and anticipation, driving you to chase more charged content rather than rewarding pleasure.
- Cortisol then prepares you for conflict, and together they shift your baseline toward constant alertness.
