DOPAMINE DETOX: Does It Really Work?! (The Science —or Lack Thereof)

Dopamine Detox: Does It Really Work? // Dopamine fasting or "detoxing" is a trend that's taken the Internet by storm. We've seen YouTubers like Improvement Pill, Better Than Yesterday, Alex Becker, and Andrew Kirby make videos about the subject. But how much truth is there behind this practice? Does the science check out?

(And... if it doesn't, how has dopamine fasting become so popular?)

0:00 - Intro
1:05 - Dopamine: what it is and why too much of it is an issue
2:32 - How a dopamine detox works (supposedly)
3:52 - Dopamine Detox: the science (or lack thereof)
5:18 - The truth
6:01 - Concluding thoughts

Research:

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#dopaminefast#dopaminedetox#factorfiction

[JulianneKeu]

Prior to this video... had you ever heard of a dopamine fast/detox?

[qiancheng]

It's funny how so many issues all go back to one thing, a lack of mindfulness. I find that I am constantly in autopilot and letting events and emotions dictate my reactions. Thanks again for your perspective and informative video!

[musicmonkey]

thank you for making this and not only debunking dopamine fasts but exploring what these apparent "benefits" are actually coming from. I've never tried practicing mindfulness but I think It would really really help me out in my school life right now so thank you!

[Iquey]

I think it's backwards. When you said "fewer dopamine receptors" makes you feel bad, it's actually when you have too many dopamine receptors from overuse, but it's these extra receptors being empty, not getting their fix, is what feels like pain and craving. You have to wait for them to starve away to get back to a less addicted setpoint. If you don't day for very long, but just try to change your habits, these receptors will have to be retrained to get dopamine from different activities and create new associations.

[danielche]

i really appreciate your intellectual honesty!

[matthew-xxys]

Thank you Julianne for researching your topics in such profound depths..

[TiidiiLivingwithSabrina]

Huh! Never heard of this before but it makes sense. As a new mom I unwillingly deprive myself from many pleasurable day to day activities so now whenever I do something so mildly pleasurable (just having a drink with a friend with no babies around for example) it's like I am on a high 😄

[Karinalachicana]

As I’m binge watching your videos, lol 😂 I relate to you more than any other YouTube.🦋 thank you 😊

[AnimeService]

Expecting scientifical evidence for everything is naive, science is always changing and arguing within itself, and heavily affected by the interpreter and their methods used, and what actually gets tested and how. Mindfulness and meditation is great but not the only thing here. Dopamine detox or "reducing Dopamine" might not be the correct wording, but however the brain is said to be neuroplasticity and what gets practiced gets ingrained "neurons that fire together wire together" so it's very evident by self-contemplating that things you practice you get better at, and things you don't do you get worse at, as those neurons dissipate and form other connections. Therefore, the simple act of not doing something will unwire your mind from it, the problem is however, if you're an addict to video games for 10 years, good luck unwiring 10 years of neuron connections. That would be like trying to unlearn the English language, you could definitely get very rusty at it if you didn't hear, speak read or practice the English language for 10 years, but you see how slow the process is....

[richmarxist]

Hey this is a great channel! Keep it coming!

[thecuriousquest]

Perhaps there's some degree of guilt associated with obsessive behavior or overindulgence in self seeking pleasure when we could be doing things to promote mindfulness/pack positive energy into the stream of life that will truly benefit ourselves and those around us. Great topic. Admittedly was quick to think that a change in certain obsessive behaviors to satisfy the reward centers (dopamine fast, a likely pseudophenomenon/concept that sounds too interesting an almost makes sense in this age of quick information) would actually replenish or dopamine levels when in reality, it feels crummy because it is very much like an addict seeking a fix, like you said. That's for the citations and taking the time to do the research. It makes for well though out informative content. Hoping for a ♥️ to my reply so I can get that surge of dopamine!JK 😋 Take care, Julianne!

[MacabreLondon]

Just discovered your channel and it’s excellent! I never knew about dopamine detox so it was cool to learn about. Keep up the great work 💗

[TheCubeMusic]

How does tobacco/nicotine factor in this because I smoke 💨

[randyman]

If your lower back is in pain, try yoga, if you don’t already

[swisstrader]

And here I am scared out of my head about dropping 5mg of a THC edible tonigh 😂

[TheCubeMusic]

No have not heard of dopamine detox before actually and must know Julianne are you single ? Lol 😂