Dopamine Fasting 2.0 - Overcome Addiction & Restore Motivation

We live in a world that is designed to stimulate our emotions. Every advertisement, food product and social media post is geared to give us a short rush of pleasure which is followed by an emptiness and a craving for more. Big companies are able to leverage our cravings and make trillions of dollars off of keeping us addicted. If you don’t have a plan for yourself, you will be at the mercy of companies who will play on your impulses to control you like a puppet. You will sacrifice your free will, searching for happiness in a maze that’s designed to keep you lost. Studies show that on average, people use their smartphones for about 3 hours per day [1,2]. That’s 1,095 hours every year. Thankfully there is a way to regain control over your impulses and take your power back through a practice called dopamine fasting.

Dopamine fasting is the idea that if you avoid dopamine stimulating activities for extended periods of time, you will be able to ‘reset your brain’ and let go of addictive behaviors that negatively impact your life. It’s commonly misunderstood as reducing dopamine, but that’s not true. Dopamine is necessary to function as a healthy human being.

Dopamine Fasting exploded in interest in October 2018 and gained even more interest a year later after Dr. Cameron Sepah published an article on Medium titled ‘The Definitive Guide to Dopamine Fasting 2.0: The Hot Silicon Valley Trend.

Dopamine fasting 2.0 is better defined. It’s based on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. It’s about reducing impulsive behavior, not reducing dopamine itself. And it doesn’t encourage you to act like a full-blown monk who abstains from all forms of pleasure.

References

3. Breuning, Loretta Graziano. Habits of a Happy Brain: Retrain Your Brain to Boost Your Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin, & Endorphin Levels (pp. 89-90). Adams Media. Kindle Edition.

9. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Duhigg, C. (2014). The power of habit: why we do what we do in life and business. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks.

[OnePercentBetter]

Thank you for having me After Skool! I've been telling all my friends how excited I've been about this collaboration. I can't think of a channel that's closer in alignment with our values so I'm stoked to be part of this. We are moving in to more spiritual and consciousness raising videos in the near-future (think Alan Watts and Terence McKenna). See you around After Skoolers and thank you again for watching! -Brandon

[MissEricaBarnes]

The irony of being addicted to the internet but needing the internet to give you idea's on how to break the addiction.

[darsan]

It's crazy how we're reading the comments while watching the video for more entertainment.

[tonic]

Who else felt like never doing their homework, but once you start and get into it, it starts to become enjoyable and fun.

[wanderingfree]

Been off FB and social media for almost 2 yrs. Feeling so much more mentally and emotionally balanced and felt it instantly. Just do it!

[stefanherrera]

"If you don't have a plan, you become a part of someone else's plan" -Terrence Mkenna

[Blackheathenly]

Today I deactivated Facebook. And now I'm wasting time watching youtube.

[AnsonBeeker]

I have not done dopamine fasting but I've done an everyday reduction in dopamine. I feel a lot better. Like my old self.

[-Oddish-]

I don’t think porn addiction is talked about enough, I’m glad that was mentioned

[minatyayah]

I spend hours on Youtube to improve myself just to find out I wasted hours on youtube .

[chromaticaball_]

the worst feeling is when you’re hanging out with people and you just feel yourself numbly mindlessly scrolling on your phone and feeling the present moment of being with others slipping by ...

[jdewit]

My personal experience is that my addiction stems from early emotional childhood abandonment and physical punishment for seeking attachment.

[dopeybrew]

This is so important! We live in a world surrounded by influences for instant gratification and it’s creating a sickness in our global consciousness.

[slothman]

Three hours per day? Those are rookie numbers.

[brett]

I once was addicted to TV and news. I went on a two week camping trip where I was away from anything electronic and ignored any news going on. I came back with a distaste for TV and was much less interested in news. I realized the world went on without me keeping tabs on it. What I knew about what was going on didn't matter to how things went. It was a lightbulb over my head going on moment. I think it's what he's talking about here.

[catrionathepoet]

I have ADHD and these habits are particularly difficult to break. I get addicted to things easily and my brain is constantly on a dopamine hunt. I use my phone for so many hours in the day, and it’s shocking that the numbers get there, because I work full time and I also have a toddler. I’m trying to be more mindful because I realise how damaging that can be.
If I put my phone down, I’ll end up getting an unhealthy snack, or a cup of coffee, or a beer, or something else that is stimulating in the moment.
I feel like when it comes to dopamine, I’m constantly consuming but never full. Due to current insurance issues, I am unmedicated so that makes a big difference too.
I definitely could benefit from doing this but this would be an almighty challenge. But worth it, to be a healthier, happier person, and a better parent to my child.

[drizzy]

I’ve been doing this for a few years now and it has increased my motivation! Definitely do what he says lol it’s worth it!! And you can do it if you put your mind to it!!

[goldfishgirl]

"The average person spends 3 hours on their phone a day"
Me, with my 9 hours of screentime: :O

[onkarpatil]

When you realise you're using phone for 12-13hr/day

[thebalanceofgoddesssgods.]

The most euphoric moments in my life are usually when I leave my phone behind.