We live in a world where there are so many things that give us joy. This is technically a good thing but when these things are easily accessible, they can cause a dopamine overload in the brain and decrease our reward sensitivity over time. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that transmits signals between the brain and nerve cells. It’s released when we experience something good such as watching our favourite movie, getting a new job or eating our favourite food. However, it can get to a point where things that used to make you happy no longer do or you may develop an unhealthy dependency on them. When you feel like this, you might need a dopamine detox.
Dopamine detox was created by Dr Cameron Sepah in an attempt to rid his clients of their dependency on certain stimuli. During the detox, the patient avoids all stimuli for a certain period of time – usually between a few hours and a few months. It’s a fairly new practice but there are some positive effects associated with it. Here are some benefits of a dopamine detox.
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Improves Focus
It can be hard to focus when your brain is overstimulated by its surrounding. From the TV to social media, these things cause a dopamine spike in the brain which in turn makes us crave more. Studies have found that our attention span has dropped to 8 seconds in just a few years due to digital technology. The more we indulge our brain in such activities, the more dopamine it produces making it harder to concentrate on one thing for a long time. When dopamine levels are balanced, it’s easier to focus thus increasing productivity.
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Breaks Addiction
Dopamine is medication and like any other medication, when abused, it can lead to addiction. In today’s world, we use dopamine to mask our pain. We distract ourselves with social media, parties and other activities. However, this only makes us addicted to comfort without addressing the real problems. Taking a dopamine detox will get you out of this comfort zone and force you to address any issues you have in a healthy way. 8 Ways To Help Someone Struggling With Addiction
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Nurtures Discipline
A dopamine overload makes you a slave of whatever gives you pleasure. This is why many people become addicted to things like food, drugs, shopping and other feel-good activities. They give you a spike of adrenaline that becomes addictive. However, when you take a dopamine detox, you train yourself to have more control and discipline. Therefore, you won’t easily succumb to your impulses even when they’re easily accessible.
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Reduces Anxiety
Too much dopamine can lead to anxiety disorders. This is due to a spike in adrenaline that triggers a fight-or-flight response. According to research, dopamine influences our approach and avoidance behaviour. When this happens regularly, it can cause a permanent state of fight or flight mode in the brain. 6 Things To Avoid Doing If You Have Anxiety
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Aids Weight Loss
Food addiction is more common than you think. Studies have found that 5-6% of the general population has some kind of food addiction. Many people develop an addiction to food when faced with adversity. Unfortunately, the brain mainly craves processed and unhealthy food which leads to poor eating habits. Going on a dopamine detox can help you break this addiction and develop better impulse control. 10 Common Myths About Diet And Wellness
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Increases Creativity
One of the reasons you might experience creative block is dopamine overload. Your brain may find it hard to focus and come up with new ideas since you’re distracted by other stimuli. Additionally, when you’re constantly ingesting, it becomes hard to create. Being alone with your thoughts is the key to creative success. Give your brain a fast to spark creativity. You should especially avoid social, visual and audio stimuli.
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