Dopamine Nation

Dopamine Nation author Anna Lembke helps us understand why it's difficult to resist the temptations of a world designed to exploit our pursuit of pleasure.

What We Discuss with Anna Lembke:

• The neuroscience of addiction and the role dopamine plays in keeping us hooked.
• How modern society's unrestricted indulgence in pleasurable substances and behaviors can lead to addictive tendencies and the gratification of constant dopamine release.
• The pros and cons of using psychedelics.
• The impact of resource scarcity on instant gratification.
• The need to address underlying conditions for effective addiction treatment.
• And much more...

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Our culture is in crisis, revealed in skyrocketing rates of anxiety and depression, even (and especially) amongst the most comfortable and well-off. Dr. Anna Lembke, author of Dopamine Nation, diagnoses our cultural crisis as rooted, in part, in the "druggification" of our society. Specifically, she explains how addiction functions writ large across our culture through an over-abundance of dopamine triggers, utimately leading to dopamine deficit states—a state in which it is not possible to enjoy anything at all. Her answer? Lean into pain and discomfort. Her message is counter-cultural, but it may very well change your life.

We welcome the wonderful Anna Lembke, MD to discuss her book Dopamine Nation, Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence!

Anna Lembke is professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. A clinician scholar, she has published more than a hundred peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and commentaries. She sits on the board of several state and national addiction-focused organizations, has testified before various committees in the United States House of Representatives and Senate, keeps an active speaking calendar, and maintains a thriving clinical practice. Learn more about Anna - https://www.annalembke.com

In this episode, we discuss,

00:00 - Intro, Anna's Work and what led her to psychiatry and addiction

04:54 - Psychiatry, Addiction, and the Human Experience

09:09 - Understanding Addiction and Different Perspectives

18:06 - The Purpose of Pleasure and Pain

23:54 - The Struggle of Overcoming Addiction

29:25 - Addiction and Medication Treatment in Psychiatry

33:56 - Integrated Treatment for Addiction and Mental Health

39:28 - Choosing Between Moderation and Abstinence

43:02 - The Value of Self-Disclosure in Psychotherapy

50:21 - The Power of Acknowledging Shame

54:40 - 12 Step Models, Resentment & Personal Responsibility in Recovery and Well-Being

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Professional medical care and psychotherapeutic services are not offered on this podcast. It is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such condition

Seeking professional support is encouraged if you think you have an issue and that you want help.

In this preview clip from the Tech-Wise Parenting Summit, Dr. Anna Lembke (author of Dopamine Nation) suggesting that rather than turning to screens and social media to lessen feelings of depression, online activities may actually generate depression in some instances when long-term tech use fuels reduced natural dopamine production in the brain.

Ever wonder if you drink "too much"? New guidelines for alcohol consumption are causing some to rethink how much alcohol they consume. Psychologist Dr. Terri-Lynn Mackay explains why this is a great opportunity to reframe our thinking about alcohol under the broader umbrella of health, and what you might want to consider before pouring that 2nd (or third) glass of wine.

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Dopamine is the brain’s reward chemical, crucial for regulating human motivation, desire, and focus. Yet never in human history have so many dopamine-delivery vehicles (from sugar to social media to online shopping) been so pervasive. We live in a dopamine-glutted world. And the overabundance of dopamine creates continual pitfalls of over-indulgence and addiction all around us. In this episode, we explore the neurobiology of dopamine and, following the work of Dr. Anna Lembke, the mindbody’s pain-pleasure balance. Because understanding this principle and  engaging core practices to keep your life in balance can radically change you...and help change the world.

Today's book aims to unpack the neuroscience of reward and, in so doing, enable us to find a better, healthier balance between pleasure and pain. But neuroscience is not enough. We also need the lived experience of human beings. Who better to teach us how to overcome compulsive overconsumption than those most vulnerable to it: people with addiction. Whether it’s sugar or shopping, voyeuring or vaping, social media posts or The Washington Post, we all engage in behaviours we wish we didn’t, or to an extent we regret.

This book offers practical solutions for how to manage compulsive overconsumption in a world where consumption has become the all-encompassing motive of our lives.”

It’s a pleasure and a reward to welcome the author of Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence With Dr Anna Lembke

Find Anna here: 

https://www.annalembke.com

It’s a dopamine hit to welcome back Dr Anna Lembke, the author of "Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence".

00:00:00 Sponsor Message 

00:00:33 What is Dopamine?

00:02:50 Access is Easy Now in a Digital World

00:10:14 Opioid-induced Hyperalgesia

00:11:27 Expectation Let Down Children

00:13:54 Cannabis Addiction and Dopamine Fasting

00:17:27 How Reminders of our Drug Can Trigger Desire to Use

00:21:43 Gambling Addiction 

00:25:56 The DOPAMINE Acronym

00:36:09 Replace a reward with another reward

00:39:17 Understanding Stress and Pain

00:44:54 Final Message

I talk to psychiatrist and author of the book, Dopamine Nation, Dr. Anna Lembke.

Anna Lembke is a practicing psychiatrist who also happens to be the Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic at Stanford University.

I talk to psychiatrist and author of the book, Dopamine Nation, Dr. Anna Lembke.

Anna Lembke is a practicing psychiatrist who also happens to be the Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic at Stanford University.