Date With A Debut Series 3, Episode 19 - The Dopamine Brain by Dr Anastasia Hronis
Nov 17, 2025
Dr. Anastasia Hronis, a clinical psychologist and author, dives into the fascinating world of dopamine and its influence on behavior. She reveals her journey into addiction research and how reader feedback has sparked positive behavioral changes. The conversation explores the impact of social media on dopamine levels and fatigue, myth-busting the dopamine detox trend, and offers practical techniques for managing cravings. Anastasia emphasizes aligning values for sustained change and shares insights on the evolutionary purpose of dopamine in modern life.
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Accidental Path Into Addiction Work
- Anastasia fell into addiction work by chance after missing other roles but accepted gambling research and clinical positions.
- She discovered a passion for both clinical addiction treatment and research that shaped her career.
Publisher-Initiated Book Opportunity
- Penguin approached Anastasia with the dopamine book concept after trend analysis flagged public interest.
- She wrote the manuscript in about six months and the book released within a year.
Why Dopamine Books Are Trending
- Dopamine was trending partly because social media trends like 'dopamine detox' raised public curiosity.
- Readers want science-backed, accessible explanations of brain processes amid noisy online claims.
