3 ms·

> So that made me think the dopamine addiction/dopamine fasting people had a point. The term is nebulous, but I think you're mixing concepts. Taking a break f

> So that made me think the dopamine addiction/dopamine fasting people had a point. The term is nebulous, but I think you're mixing concepts. Taking a break from video games to do other things is a great idea. But the "dopamine fasting" people have evolved the idea to the point that you would have to take a break from everything enjoyable during the down time. That is, no socialization, no music, no enjoyable foods, and nothing that might make you happy. And that's the misconception: You don't have to be miserable to restore the enjoyment of one specific thing. You just have to take a break and do something else. These people would be far happier if they took a break from their easy rewarding activities (Twitter, Netflix, whatever) and simply got up and did anything else, like going outside, going for a walk, socializing with friends, cooking an elaborate meal and inviting some guests over. You don't have to become miserable in general. Diversity of experiences and moderation of the easy rewards is key.

wpietri 5y ago
I think we are saying the same thing. I came across people talking about "dopamine addiction" a while back, and they were making the point that there's a sheaf of similar behaviors on different topics/substances. And that one had to learn to recognize the behaviors as a group. And I'll note that "take a break from everything" approach is both much older than this and can be very effective. People who do extended meditation retreats do basically what you describe. I once spent a week at the SF Zen Center's "Green Gulch Farm". No music, basic food, no tech. One could even sit at a table where nobody talked. I loved it. I have no idea if my dopamine levels changed. But it was great to set aside the frantic-feeling short-loop behaviors, accept a period of discomfort, and then feel freer once the compulsions/habits were past. As opposed to, say, quitting video games for a week but substituting more time on Twitter and watching videos. So I could see where they're going with it and I think they had good points. But it sounds like they have taken it too far.

wpietri 5y ago

I think we are saying the same thing. I came across people talking about "dopamine addiction" a while back, and they were making the point that there's a sheaf of similar behaviors on different topics/substances. And that one had to learn to recognize the behaviors as a group. And I'll note that "take a break from everything" approach is both much older than this and can be very effective. People who do extended meditation retreats do basically what you describe. I once spent a week at the SF Zen Center's "Green Gulch Farm". No music, basic food, no tech. One could even sit at a table where nobody talked. I loved it. I have no idea if my dopamine levels changed. But it was great to set aside the frantic-feeling short-loop behaviors, accept a period of discomfort, and then feel freer once the compulsions/habits were past. As opposed to, say, quitting video games for a week but substituting more time on Twitter and watching videos. So I could see where they're going with it and I think they had good points. But it sounds like they have taken it too far.