Stimulation is the new drug
Why overstimulation is a problem and choosing where you get your dopamine important. Plus, we're detoxing for 48 hours. Join us!
Dopamine detox is a misleading name.
Its purpose isn't to control the amount the brain produces because the brain produces the same amount no matter what.
The purpose is to lessen or eliminate dopamine-spiking habits and behaviors so normal activities become stimulating again.
Overstimulation raises the threshold for if the brain releases dopamine.
For example, in a dopamine-balanced brain, one or two bites of ice cream would be enough to release its supply.
Over time, those two bites become the new normal, and now the brain needs a whole cup or pint to feel the same effect as the first time it ate the ice cream.
Stimulation is the new drug
This is how drug tolerance works.
The body finds homeostasis with anything new thrown its way.
That’s why we can experience situations like moves or job changes; months later, they feel like the new normal.
When people take drugs, the body adapts to the change, so the drug no longer becomes stimulating.
There’s now a new normal.
When this happens, the person needs to take more of the substance to re-create the very first time the drug was taken.
This is also why we find ourselves bingeing on TV, scrolling, sugar, and darker addictions.
Creating the same effect takes more of that stimulating activity or substance.
This is also why it’s hard to feel motivated to do less stimulating activities like morning routines, writing, or exercising.
When our dopamine threshold increases, ordinary, productive behaviors do not trigger a release, so we feel zero motivation to do it.
This is where detoxing comes in.
It helps us bring down our threshold so that normal activities become stimulating again.
Choosing where you get your dopamine
On Reddit, someone considered a dopamine detox as a way to take a break from dopamine-spiking habits and behaviors.
It’s meant to help you reset so normal behaviors spike dopamine again.
They said they “[limit] the easy dopamine sources so I continue to get dopamine from the things I want to get dopamine from instead of the things companies want me to get dopamine from.”
Powerful.
Once we understand how dopamine cycles work, we can choose what triggers its release.
The idea that companies know most people don't understand what these spikes do to us and prey on that ignorance makes me angry.
The good news is we can fix this.
Doing a dopamine detox
Some people do these detoxes for 30 days or two weeks.
But I think testing it out for 48 hours is a great place to start.
Are you in?
If so, let's do a community-wide detox from Friday at noon to Sunday at noon.
In Friday morning's TGS email, I'll share ways to lessen stimulation, and you can pick how you want to tackle it.
It'll arrive earlier than usual, so those in Europe can start at noon your time.
Here's what you need to do right now:
Commit to doing this detox for 48 hours. Respond to this email or post a comment here declaring your commitment. Often, if we tell other people about our commitment, we feel accountable and will follow through. Remember, it’s only 48 hours. You can do this! Then, we can all connect and chat about it in that same thread on Sunday.
Make a list of the activities or products that overstimulate you. These can include TV, smartphones, social media, sugar, etc.
Pick one or all of them to eliminate from your life for 48 hours. Delete apps that make you check your phone constantly; don’t turn on the TV, watch YouTube, or watch the news. If this feels too overwhelming, then pick your most stimulating activity.
Think about low-stimulating activities you can do instead, like reading (if it’s not an intense book), walking, journaling, stretching, etc. I have already deleted 20 apps from my phone while prepping for this. It feels great!Keep track of how you’re feeling. Withdrawal symptoms are typical, especially if you’re used to grabbing your phone reflexively during pauses in the day. But it will be cool to see the changes you feel.
If you have any questions or concerns, please share them here!
We reduce the threshold by lessening stimulation so regular activity feels rewarding again.
We may even feel motivated to work on projects or ideas again that stopped enticing us because our brains wouldn't release dopamine.
Either way, it'll be interesting to see how this goes!
Francesca
Did this spark any thoughts, questions, or insights? Tell us in the comments. I love hearing from you, and you never know who else needs what you have to say!
Good Quote
Good Question
Move up the ladder to higher vibrations by writing at the top of a blank page:
When I think about detoxing from overstimulating activities, how do I feel? What does that mean to me?
and see what flows from your pen. No judgment or editing.
Good Thinking
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Did this inspire any thoughts, questions, or revelations? Tell us in the comments. I love hearing from you, and you never know who else needs what you have to say!