Dopamine

[Black Widow Void]

I've read at least two good postings abut this topic (see links below) . Unfortunately, neither followed up on how life had changed (if it did) after detoxing.

I'll give an example of my own:
Back when facebook was just starting out, it was a Friday night. I'd had a long day at work and was planning on going out to socialize. After unwinding at home, I logged on facebook and responded to a couple of e-mails and postings. Then suddenly, I lost the urge to go out.

The next day, it hit me. I realized that my desire to go out and socialize had been 'crippled' -- due to getting some artificial social fix on the internet. I think that the same can be said about getting that quick fix when looking at porn.

If truth be told, we also get a 'fix' here when we make a posting and receive responses. However, I also see this forum as a way to self-improve; which is why I'm making this posting.

Because it is a form of dopamine, I'd like to use social media against itself.
I'm not interested in having some "me fest" and if there's not really an interest, then I'll go at it alone without any reports. On the other hand, if the topic of dopamine is of interest to some of you, let me know. And, I'll post once a week after some changes (in my dopamine diet) of any noticeable positive or negative effects.

Dopamine Hit

I read somewhere dopamine is the neurotransmitter to do with pleasure and reward. If you see something as pleasurable, you are more likely to take action to get it. Is there anything that one can do to help the body/brain/mind release dopamine? I am sitting here right now and the bedroom is a...

www.sosuave.net

Dopamine detox?

I've tried it several times in the past, but I usually never get past a day and a half. What I've definitely observed is that after a good 4 or 5 hours of having my TV turned off, phone put away, laptop lid closed, and any other distracting things, my mental state feels more clear and focused...

www.sosuave.net

 

[metalwater]

it's interesting. a little geeky but intresting.
chemical controls all, if we can control the chemicals then we are in control of ... all.

as a sidebar check out candy crush. the phone vid game. they are really successful and spend much effort analyzing this topic. the design of the game is exactly to activate dopamine. it works. they actually hired experts on this topic to take advantage.

are other chemicals related, for example test vs dopamine.

as a second side bar, check out velvet beans or Mucuna Pruriens. over the counter that will add Dopa even across the brain barrier.

 

[SetinStone22]

in the game we call this sht.. juice.

when you go tthe juice, you the man, you find it easy to make moves, money flows in easily, your subordinates do whatever you say without fussing, you don't procrastinate about **** that you need to get done becuase you're always on top of everything.

they say when you start losin ya juice its because you investing your time into **** that only takes energy out of you.

its the same thing as dopamine because dopamine from what i know about it is all about feeling accomplished. the more u feeel accomplished, the more you want to do. you ever had a busy day where you woke up at 5 am and did your dry cleaning early, made your phone calls, did those errands , went to grab more supplies for your business, had that important meeting, hit the gym, did your laundry -- and then its 2-3 pm and you're thinking of.. yo wht else can i do? you're just looking for more stuff to do -- because you got hat momentum..

thats what dopamine is. its a reward based circuit in yo brain that tells u okay i accomplished something, u feel rewarded, and that feelin makes you want to do more..

but when someone sours ya juice, that can cause u to fall back or suck energy out of you to the point you lose that momentum

------now thats where somethin called DISCIPLINE comes in. When you got GOOD Discipline--- ya juice dont get sour by anything..

 

[metalwater]

Is Dopamine Fasting a Way to Fix Your Brain or Just a Fad?

“Dopamine fasting” has hit Silicon Valley, with some people in the area striving to reset their dopamine levels by completely abstaining from anything that brings them pleasure: smartphones, social media, Netflix, video games, delicious foods, eye contact during conversations, and — yes — even sex.

www.healthline.com

 

[CAPSLOCK BANDIT]

I've been playing computer games since I was in Elementary School, I would skip classes, feign behavioral issues, sickness, anything I could to play more Diablo 2.

When I wasn't playing games, I was watching somebody else play games or watching TV.

One of the things I noticed very early on into using Facebook was that it was leveraging my Dopamine, I could feel it, Facebook has always felt evil to me, ironically, because it reduced my appetite to play video games, something about Facebook would quickly burn through all my available Dopamine and leave me feeling burned out and depressed, again I could literally feel it, the pain behind my eyes like when you've been staring at a screen all day but it would be after I rested.

Because of my very high exposure to Dopamine at a young age, I can notice my tolerance for screen time and appetite is really only limited by sleep, I've done week long gaming benders where I only sleep, smoke weed and play games and its wild because after a guy feels accomplished and the only time that accomplishment fades is when it interfaces with real world values.

A life time of this, Dopamine and none of it compares to getting high on like Xtc or Coke. With Crack, there is this effect called Chasing The Dragon, essentially what happens is the first time you smoke, all your Dopamine stores are depleted and you get this insane high, but because you were sitting on years of accumulated Dopamine, when you smoke next time, the high will not ever be as good because the Dopamine isn't available, especially when your chipping away at what little stores you have with regular life **** in 2021, meaning you'll spend the rest of your time smoking crack attempting to recreate the first high, so typically the first way the person got high, all the things in ambience in their environment become part of the getting high ritual and spoiler alert, most guys who try crack, do it while getting sucked off by an escort and that's a wrap, he's ****in hooked and now needs his **** sucked whenever he smokes it, so you see the money adding up quick.

Why say all this? Because dealing with manipulation is hard enough, but when you introduce a dopamine high into the equation, the manipulation almost becomes legitimized in a very scary way and top tier manipulators will pair their manipulation with dopamine, this guy is one of them.

You have to be able to recognize when your being manipulated for this reason because the dopamine fog is very real and I suspect this is what is driving this whole idea of detox, not removing the dopamine sources but rather the manipulative people by removing their dopamine aid.

 

[Grounded eagle]

An important topic worth discussing and exploring.Makes me wonder what effect dopamine and the addiction to it has had on my life.

I've read at least two good postings abut this topic (see links below) . Unfortunately, neither followed up on how life had changed (if it did) after detoxing.

I'll give an example of my own:
Back when facebook was just starting out, it was a Friday night. I'd had a long day at work and was planning on going out to socialize. After unwinding at home, I logged on facebook and responded to a couple of e-mails and postings. Then suddenly, I lost the urge to go out.

The next day, it hit me. I realized that my desire to go out and socialize had been 'crippled' -- due to getting some artificial social fix on the internet. I think that the same can be said about getting that quick fix when looking at porn.

If truth be told, we also get a 'fix' here when we make a posting and receive responses. However, I also see this forum as a way to self-improve; which is why I'm making this posting.

Because it is a form of dopamine, I'd like to use social media against itself.
I'm not interested in having some "me fest" and if there's not really an interest, then I'll go at it alone without any reports. On the other hand, if the topic of dopamine is of interest to some of you, let me know. And, I'll post once a week after some changes (in my dopamine diet) of any noticeable positive or negative effects.

Dopamine Hit

I read somewhere dopamine is the neurotransmitter to do with pleasure and reward. If you see something as pleasurable, you are more likely to take action to get it. Is there anything that one can do to help the body/brain/mind release dopamine? I am sitting here right now and the bedroom is a...

www.sosuave.net

Dopamine detox?

I've tried it several times in the past, but I usually never get past a day and a half. What I've definitely observed is that after a good 4 or 5 hours of having my TV turned off, phone put away, laptop lid closed, and any other distracting things, my mental state feels more clear and focused...

www.sosuave.net

Do keep us posted.

 

[FlexpertHamilton]

If anyone is serious about learning how dopamine transmission works, this podcast by neuroscientist Andrew Huberman is a must-watch...

 

[SargeMaximus]

Can’t you overdose and die from too much dopamine?

 

[oOh Nasty]

My fault for not following up. Reason being is because nothing magical really happened or anything. Is it something that should be necessary for everyone? I think so. Are you suddenly going to become successful at what you're doing? No, because you still have to apply yourself. If anything, it kind of grounds you and makes you have a more "realistic" take on your aspirations. It's both good and bad. My next thing is to try to be able to quickly phase in and out of a "think big" and "dopamine free" state at will.

I'll make a more detailed post once I collect my thoughts.

 

[derby1]

already dont drink, so when I do a fortnight Of the following....

1) nofap
2) no caffeine
3) no red pill videos
4) ltd social media
5) Youtube for music only


Im a completely different man, My game, my outlook, my productivity, choosing signals from women etc etc

total night and day compared to when i relapse, so fully agree with you OP

 

[Black Widow Void]

I appreciate the responses.
From reading the replies, there seems to be a mixed opinion (some say withdrawing is beneficial while there's also an opinion that there's little to no noticeable difference).

This forum also represents a form of social media and so, I will only revisit once a week for the remainder of the year. Each Monday, I will report back about any noticeable differences (positive or negative).

Here are a list of vices:
Porn I wouldn't say that I'm obsessive, but I've been known to rub one out here and there.
Soft Drinks: I usually average at least two a day. For the first two weeks, I'll reduce it to one. After two weeks, one every other day.
Whacking it; This may be partly due to my age, but I don't get unexpected wood throughout the day like I used to. My only outlet will now be with either a new encounter or recycling an ex or two. I hope that the unexpected boners will reoccur.
Chocolate (usually a candy bar) If'I'm in a rush and don't have time to eat a good meal, I'll usually grab a candy bar (it's usually my breakfast). No more this year.
Smoking: I've already kicked this habit for two years and didn't notice one difference. I'll continue with this one.
Political web pages - it's not like I can change politics, but it can sour my attitude at times. Not going to visit pages.
Social Media: this place, facebook and twitter. I haven't done "OLD" in years, but I have a faceless profile and 'window shop' from time to time. Nixing all of these for the rest of the year (except to report here once a week).
Music: This will be one of the toughest. I gave up TV before some of you were probably born, but as an auditory person, music really ignites me. Instead of my play lists, I'll reduce this to generic radio (for background noise).
Drinking: It's not that I do this weekly or even bi-weekly, but when I do, I don't play around. Thanksgiving, my birthday and New Years Eve will be the only remaining times that I'll drink this year (unless I'm on a new date).
Weed: I seldom do this any longer, but a friend returned with some dispensary sativa that I've already paid for. I'll treat this like drinking - 3 times for the remainder of the year.

Aside from work, I've found myself being less productive. I don't like this. I've also found myself enjoying the above more than I think I should. Although I'm in better than average shape (for my age) I'll spend the excess time exercising, finishing some house projects and also getting back to writing again.

I'm writing this on Sunday. I'll be back in eight days for the first weekly report.

 

[derby1]

I would like to also add there is a visible uplift in my facial appearance when Im not a dopamine fiend,

my eyes also go from dark blue to an electric light blue

 

[Sir FB]

What if dopamine is not toxic? What if there is nothing to detox from and the better idea is to consciously switch your sources of dopamine from unhealthy to healthier sources?

 

[Bingo-Player]

I appreciate the responses.
From reading the replies, there seems to be a mixed opinion (some say withdrawing is beneficial while there's also an opinion that there's little to no noticeable difference).

This forum also represents a form of social media and so, I will only revisit once a week for the remainder of the year. Each Monday, I will report back about any noticeable differences (positive or negative).

Here are a list of vices:
Porn I wouldn't say that I'm obsessive, but I've been known to rub one out here and there.
Soft Drinks: I usually average at least two a day. For the first two weeks, I'll reduce it to one. After two weeks, one every other day.
Whacking it; This may be partly due to my age, but I don't get unexpected wood throughout the day like I used to. My only outlet will now be with either a new encounter or recycling an ex or two. I hope that the unexpected boners will reoccur.
Chocolate (usually a candy bar) If'I'm in a rush and don't have time to eat a good meal, I'll usually grab a candy bar (it's usually my breakfast). No more this year.
Smoking: I've already kicked this habit for two years and didn't notice one difference. I'll continue with this one.
Political web pages - it's not like I can change politics, but it can sour my attitude at times. Not going to visit pages.
Social Media: this place, facebook and twitter. I haven't done "OLD" in years, but I have a faceless profile and 'window shop' from time to time. Nixing all of these for the rest of the year (except to report here once a week).
Music: This will be one of the toughest. I gave up TV before some of you were probably born, but as an auditory person, music really ignites me. Instead of my play lists, I'll reduce this to generic radio (for background noise).
Drinking: It's not that I do this weekly or even bi-weekly, but when I do, I don't play around. Thanksgiving, my birthday and New Years Eve will be the only remaining times that I'll drink this year (unless I'm on a new date).
Weed: I seldom do this any longer, but a friend returned with some dispensary sativa that I've already paid for. I'll treat this like drinking - 3 times for the remainder of the year.

Aside from work, I've found myself being less productive. I don't like this. I've also found myself enjoying the above more than I think I should. Although I'm in better than average shape (for my age) I'll spend the excess time exercising, finishing some house projects and also getting back to writing again.

I'm writing this on Sunday. I'll be back in eight days for the first weekly report.

I need to do this too i think

 

[monkeybrain]

I am following this post OP. I'm curious to see what you experience. It is absolutely true that the designers of social media platforms did so with this reward circuit in mind.

 

[Black Widow Void]

First week follow up:

As a creature of habit, I did unintentionally indulge in some additional caffeine and sugar based foods. It didn't hit me until half way through that I'm cutting back (way back).

Toward the second day, I found myself a bit irritable. Unsure if this is due to a change of lifestyle or not. Anyway... instead of caffeine, I put on some familiar music (which can also increase dopamine). I felt more relaxed.

Otherwise, I've held to a strict change of habits.

So far, I haven't experienced any additional motivation (I have a few house projects that I've put off). And while I have no trouble getting it up when opportunity knocks, I still haven't gotten unexpected wood throughout the day. Again, this may be due to a combination of my age and/or doing the occasional solo project with porn (which I haven't done since starting this new change).

Perhaps it's the absence of social media, but I did notice one difference this week. Time (in a good way) went by slower. On several days, I recall thinking that it's probably getting late and time to get some sleep; only discover that it was actually a couple of hours earlier than I realized. This week also didn't seem to fly by as fast.

It's possible that my time perception is due to breaking routine. It's too early to determine. By the end of the month, I'll be better able to provide some conclusions.

I want to give thanks to the responses and encouragement. The only social media that I will experience is here and it'll be only once a week to provide updates.

Also a special thanks to FlexpertHamilton

He provided a video link a few postings above (if this subject is of any interest, I recommend watching it) .
Interesting enough, I learned that melatonin (which I take regularly) actually stunts the release of dopamine. On my third week, I'll also take melatonin off my routine and see if I notice any difference as well.

I'll pop back in next week to report if there's any noticeable differences.

 

[Ladykiler]

First week follow up:

As a creature of habit, I did unintentionally indulge in some additional caffeine and sugar based foods. It didn't hit me until half way through that I'm cutting back (way back).

Toward the second day, I found myself a bit irritable. Unsure if this is due to a change of lifestyle or not. Anyway... instead of caffeine, I put on some familiar music (which can also increase dopamine). I felt more relaxed.

Otherwise, I've held to a strict change of habits.

So far, I haven't experienced any additional motivation (I have a few house projects that I've put off). And while I have no trouble getting it up when opportunity knocks, I still haven't gotten unexpected wood throughout the day. Again, this may be due to a combination of my age and/or doing the occasional solo project with porn (which I haven't done since starting this new change).

Perhaps it's the absence of social media, but I did notice one difference this week. Time (in a good way) went by slower. On several days, I recall thinking that it's probably getting late and time to get some sleep; only discover that it was actually a couple of hours earlier than I realized. This week also didn't seem to fly by as fast.

It's possible that my time perception is due to breaking routine. It's too early to determine. By the end of the month, I'll be better able to provide some conclusions.

I want to give thanks to the responses and encouragement. The only social media that I will experience is here and it'll be only once a week to provide updates.

Also a special thanks to FlexpertHamilton

He provided a video link a few postings above (if this subject is of any interest, I recommend watching it) .
Interesting enough, I learned that melatonin (which I take regularly) actually stunts the release of dopamine. On my third week, I'll also take melatonin off my routine and see if I notice any difference as well.

I'll pop back in next week to report if there's any noticeable differences.

keep going

 

[Black Widow Void]

Second week follow up:

I can't say that there's much of a noticeable difference from last week to this current week.

One thing that I neglected to mention last week is interesting.
When I'm driving around, I'm a bit more 'aware' of my surroundings. The best way to describe this... it's sort of like waking up and not being fully awake and then after a while, you're fully alert. I didn't realize that I had some 'alertness' that has been on reserve and not being utilized.
This has happened to probably most of us: we're driving down the highway and on 'auto-pilot' and we miss the turn for our exit. Over the past couple of weeks, I have felt a little more alert.

One other thing that I noticed today:
I was having lunch with a friend today. There was nothing unusually significant about this event. It was just a typical two people hanging out sort of thing. However, I felt more "there."
This is the closest analogy I can come up with: Think of when you've watched porn and rubbed one out. If the video is still playing in the background, we aren't usually as in-tune with it - once we've 'released the pressure.'
In a a way, I think that social media has sort of done the same thing to me on a social level. I say this because the social events seem a bit more 'real' over the past couple of weeks It's difficult to put into words, but hopefully, ya'll will get the idea.

I've got a date tomorrow (someone new) and so this'll be interesting. Although I've felt more 'awake' in social moments (not that I was in some stupor in the past) I will also likely partake in alcohol. I'm pretty sure that this will dull my senses a bit. If I score, it'll be interesting to see if it's more intense than usual. Then again, a lot has to do with the woman. If she's a lazy or boring fvck, then nothing's going to make it great. She seems cool intellectually. If I hit a home run, I'll "kiss and tell" and see if the dopamine withdrawal made things more intense.

 

[Black Widow Void]

3rd Week follow up:

This is where things get interesting (good and bad).

The good: Went on a date with a new girl. If reaching home plate, I had wondered if the dopamine and porn withdrawal would intensify things. As mentioned last week, I'm here to supply details.The date occurred. None of us hit a home run every time and that was the case. I did make it to second base. And the interesting part is that there seemed to be this extra 'layer' (for lack of a better word) that added to the enjoyment. The best way to describe it is... it's sort of like making out and getting into it - as if you're getting hot with a 9 (when in actuality, you're mixing it with a 7.5). Or perhaps that feeling you get when you've had a dry spell and you're now getting into a hot and heavy moment. In other words, it was a little more intense than I would have expected. It wasn't out of this world or anything, but it was definitely noticeable.

The bad: I also noticed I was a bit more agitated. To give an example; I have an older relative that has gotten on my nerves in the past. Normally, it's something that would just roll off my back. The recent situation was nothing out of the ordinary. However, I found myself having to restrain from being reactive. That has never happened before.

Naturally, a lot of situations can be a result of environment and other variables. However, I do believe that the above two situations were a result of a change in a dopamine diet.

If we're hungry, we eat. If we're thirsty, we drink something. And (this is where it's interesting) if we feel some sort of void, we reach for something to satisfy our pleasure (social media, political web pages, bedroom self-pleasure, loud music etc.... ). Until now, I never realized how often we subconsciously feed our pleasure center - as often as we quench our thirst or feed our bellies.

Have I cheated on this diet? I got high (weed) over Thanksgiving and had a few drinks on my date. I'd say that within these three weeks, I've made a 90% change; enough to notice a difference. Next week will be my last report. So far, I like some of these changes and dislike some.

 

[derby1]

Have I cheated on this diet? I got high (weed) over Thanksgiving and had a few drinks on my date. I'd say that within these three weeks, I've made a 90% change; enough to notice a difference. Next week will be my last report. So far, I like some of these changes and dislike some.

Dont beat yourself up, I tried to fast, OMAD, no coffee, pepsi , or fizzy pop, nofap and many other things. It was ridiculous for me to attempt all at once, and if anything I binged.

I did much better removing one item every 48 hours, now during the day, I have one meal, a cup of decaf tea, and sugar free squash at most, this a huge difference to the old me, much like you removing 90% of fixes....

as if you're getting hot with a 9 (when in actuality, you're mixing it with a 7.5). Or perhaps that feeling you get when you've had a dry spell and you're now getting into a hot and heavy moment. In other words, it was a little more intense than I would have expected. It wasn't out of this world or anything, but it was definitely noticeable.

If I withdraw from literally everything, including any pics of a woman at all.

Then yes, about two weeks in, as soon as I get my hands on any kind of booty, I get extremely excited and want to fck many women. Infact I was having my ear checked by a nurse earlier, she was only average, but I had this exciting "feeling" whilst she was in my oxygen space.