Big Technology Podcast This Is Your Brain On iPhone — With Dr. Anna Lembke
Aug 17, 2022
Dr. Anna Lembke, a Stanford psychiatry professor and author of 'Dopamine Nation,' dives deep into the effects of technology on our brain chemistry. She discusses the addictive nature of smartphones and their role in rising anxiety and depression. The pleasure-pain paradox is explored, revealing how the quest for digital satisfaction can lead to deeper dissatisfaction. Anna questions whether a less happy life could actually bring more fulfillment, urging listeners to reflect on their relationship with technology.
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Pleasure-Pain Balance
- Pleasure and pain are processed in the same brain areas, working like a balance.
- Any pleasure triggers an equal and opposite pain response, seeking homeostasis.
Homeostasis & Baseline Mood
- People's baseline homeostasis varies; some naturally experience more pain or pleasure.
- Repeated dopamine stimulation can lower homeostasis, making one's baseline unhappier.
Dopamine Overload
- Modern society offers excessive dopamine triggers, unlike anything in human history.
- This overexposure creates a dopamine deficit state, where we constantly chase highs.
