Compulsive overconsumption is leading to increased psychological suffering and global deaths. Smoking, physical inactivity, and diet are contributing to 70% of these deaths. Obesity is now more common than underweight worldwide. The poor and undereducated are most affected, as they have access to high reward drugs but lack meaningful work, safe housing, education, healthcare, and equity. This addiction risk also threatens the planet's natural resources and increases carbon emissions. As a result, more patients, even those with privileged backgrounds, are experiencing depression, anxiety, and pain. We are consuming ourselves to death.
Today, Dr. Anna Lembke, psychiatrist and author, explores the exciting new scientific discoveries that explain why the relentless pursuit of pleasure leads to pain — and what we can do about it.