The excessive pursuit of dopamine-triggering activities like social media, video games, and certain substances can lead to a decrease in motivation and pleasure. Dopamine is a buildup to the reward, while the reward itself has opioid-like bliss properties. To maintain motivation, it is crucial to keep the celebration of wins slightly less dopaminergic than the pursuit. Experiencing pain and exerting effort in pursuit of rewards can lead to greater pleasure. Addiction narrows the sources of pleasure, while a good life involves the progressive expansion of sources of pleasure through motivation and hard work.

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