{"id":1806985,"date":"2023-01-16T09:05:22","date_gmt":"2023-01-16T14:05:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1806985"},"modified":"2023-01-16T09:07:55","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T14:07:55","slug":"techs-attack-on-our-dopamine-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/techs-attack-on-our-dopamine-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Tech\u2019s Attack on Our Dopamine System"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">12<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftechs-attack-on-our-dopamine-system%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1806985&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47-->\n<p>Tech companies hire highly-intelligent people to help them design the best product for their features. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-brain\">brain<\/a>\u2019s reward systems.<\/p>\n<p>Their goal is to create addictive and habitual behavior. This is known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4826767\/\">reward prediction error (RPE) encoding <\/a>It features a neurotransmitter called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/mind-and-mood\/dopamine-the-pathway-to-pleasure\">dopamine<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In 2018, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PMotykw0SIk&#038;t=1101s\">interview<\/a>Chamath Palihapitiya was the former Vice President of Facebook for User Growth. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-dopamine\">dopamine<\/a> He regrettably contributed to the development of feedback loops for the social media platform.\u00a0 \u201cThe short-term, dopamine-driven feedback loops that we have created are destroying how society works. Social media companies are exploiting the psychology of people for making a profit,\u201d Palihapitiya said.<\/p>\n<h2>What are Dopamine Feedback Loops and How Do They Work?<\/h2>\n<p>Dopamine feedback loops work in a similar way to what casino owners use for their slot machines. If you\u2019ve ever played slots, you\u2019ve experienced the rush of anticipation while the wheel spins. Between the lever pull and the result, the dopaminergic neurons of the midbrain have time to increase their activity. This creates a rewarding charge with every pull.<\/p>\n<p>Social media companies have also created an identical action, anticipation, reward loop. Scrolling, writing and commenting are the actions. Anticipation: Searching for new content, or waiting to see a comment or like. The best part? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/operant-conditioning.html\">reward<\/a> Receiving one of the former.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever posted on a social media site or other apps just for the sake of getting likes or comments or have opened an app to look at the first post then swipe to see what comes next, and before you knew it 15 minutes had gone by, then you\u2019ve experienced a dopamine feedback loop.<\/p>\n<h2>Dopamine Feedback Loops: Dangers<\/h2>\n<p>Your neurons will release an excessive amount of dopamine to your system, causing you to feel good at first. Problem is, when this happens, your brains will compensate by trying to find equilibrium by pushing our levels of dopamine below baseline. This can cause us to experience a dopamine deficiency state.<\/p>\n<p>A dopamine deficit can cause anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. These artificial dopamine-driven feedback loops can mimic how addicts to drugs get addicted and can lead to individuals becoming trapped in a vicious cycle of lows and highs.<\/p>\n<p>Smartphones can serve as a digital hypodermic needle or an asset that helps to deliver digital dopamine 24 hours a day to chemically imbalanced people. The reality is, in the age of technology it\u2019s almost impossible to go about life and not use a smartphone or computer. For many\u2014especially young people\u2014social media is a preoccupation and compulsive form of entertainment. While technology is necessary, it is equally important to recognize, minimize, and minimize its negative effects on our brains and bodies. So, how can we regain control of our lives and restore balance?<\/p>\n<h2>How to recognize when you have a problem<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cYou might be able to tell you\u2019re in a dopamine deficit state when you\u2019re scrolling through social media, and you feel like you can\u2019t stop,\u201d Dr. Anna Lembke wrote in her book \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.annalembke.com\/\">Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt doesn\u2019t necessarily feel good, and you aren\u2019t getting anything from your actions, but you just keep scrolling. When we\u2019re in a dopamine deficit, it can feel similar to depression and anxiety,\u201d She writes.<\/p>\n<p>Other<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32699518\/\"> signs<\/a> Of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-technology-addiction\">technology addiction<\/a> These can be:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Technology or internet activities can make it harder to sleep<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Obsessively reviewing text messages and notifications<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Losing interest in aspects of your life that don\u2019t involve the internet\u00a0 or technology<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Online time can make us feel guilty or defensive.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">To improve your mood or to experience pleasure, relief or sexual gratification, you can turn to the internet and a technology-enabled gadget.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">It is difficult to reduce your internet use or technology usage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Dopamine Deficiency Symptoms<\/h2>\n<p>A blood test can measure dopamine levels but can\u2019t determine how your brain responds to dopamine.\u00a0Doctors rely on symptoms and not just testing. Some of these symptoms are: <a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/articles\/22588-dopamine-deficiency\">symptoms <\/a>are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5716179\/\">depressed<\/a>You feel hopeless.<\/li>\n<li>You\u2019re moody or anxious.<\/li>\n<li>You don\u2019t feel pleasure from previously enjoyable experiences.<\/li>\n<li>You can\u2019t concentrate.<\/li>\n<li>Are you having trouble sleeping?<\/li>\n<li>You have a low level of sex drive.<\/li>\n<li>You\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s10964-014-0176-x\">tired<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>You lack motivation and drive.<\/li>\n<li>You have gastrointestinal symptoms, including chronic\u00a0constipation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>So what are we to do and how can technology be countered?<\/p>\n<h2>Rebalancing our Dopamine<\/h2>\n<p>If we feel we\u2019ve lost control of our impulses and find ourselves experiencing addiction and low dopamine levels, it\u2019s important to first break the cycle.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Start with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4154573\/\">dopamine fast:<\/a><\/strong> Take a 30-day rest. You can cut out addictive behaviors completely and then gradually reintroduce them in moderation. This will bring your pleasure-pain balance under control.<\/p>\n<p><strong>All phone notifications should be turned off<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/operant-conditioning.html\">Every notification<\/a>, whether it\u2019s a text message, a \u201clike\u201d Instagram notifications or posts on Facebook have the potential to create a positive social stimulus that can lead to dopamine influx and a positive social stimulus.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You can change the grayscale of your phone&#8217;s screen:<\/strong> Some colors draw our attention. \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4764109\/#:~:text=The%20concentration%20ratio%20of%20CSF,enhancing%20the%20concentration%20of%20dopamine.\">Findings show<\/a> the colors\u00a0green and blue\u00a0are on top of the list of all colors for enhancing the concentration of dopamine. (Notice the blue themes of\u00a0Twitter, LinkedIn, and\u00a0Facebook)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Make a <a href=\"https:\/\/portlandpsychotherapy.com\/2011\/11\/riding-wave-using-mindfulness-help-cope-urges\/\">counter-movement: <\/a><\/strong>This is a movement that you make that causes your body to respond in a conditioned way. For example when you realize you\u2019re endlessly scrolling in a dopamine loop, immediately press the home button and place the phone face-side down. A counter-movement becomes a conditioned response you can use to break the dopamine-seeking-reward loop once it has started.<\/p>\n<h2>A Dopamine Diet<\/h2>\n<p>When we\u2019re trying to get our dopamine back, some foods and lifestyle choices can help us naturally increase dopamine levels.<\/p>\n<p>Eat! \u201creal food\u201d diet that\u2019s high in <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/19059299\/\">magnesium <\/a>Tyrosine and dopamine. These are the building blocks for dopamine synthesis. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK209061\/\">Tyrosine<\/a> It is an amino acid which is converted to dopamine when it is eaten. Avoid processed sugar. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3598008\/\">Sugar<\/a> It is an anti-nutrient which affects and disrupts all neuronal pathways.<\/p>\n<p>Foods known for their health <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK224629\/\">increase dopamine<\/a> Include\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31408929\/\">chicken<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31342953\/\">almonds,<\/a> apples, avocados,<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10725161\/\"> bananas<\/a>, beets. chocolate.<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/23625424\/\"> green tea<\/a>Lima beans, oatmeal and oranges as well as peas. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/22293035\/\">sesame <\/a>as well as tomatoes, pumpkin seeds and watermelon.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30415609\/\">Fermented foods <\/a>They are rich in probiotics. A healthy balance in beneficial microbiota is vital for brain health. It can also affect mood.<\/p>\n<h2>Dopamine-Increasing Activities<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Cold showers\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4049052\/\">Cold showers<\/a> Increased dopamine levels have been demonstrated.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Exercise:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8301978\/\">Exercise <\/a>This increases brain cell production and increases levels dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sunlight:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3819153\/\">Sunlight<\/a> Increases the number of dopamine-receptors. The synthesis of UV rays to vitamin D activates dopamine-releasing genes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sleep:<\/strong>\u00a0Sleep begets dopamine sensitivity. A lack of it is also a problem. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/17275369\/\">sleep<\/a> Reduces the number dopamine receptors. Dopamine can also control the production and release melatonin, which is a sleep hormone.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Gut Health<\/strong> Your intestinal flora health <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29903615\/\">directly impacts<\/a> The production of neurotransmitters. A high level of bad bacteria can lead to toxic byproducts, which can damage brain cells that are responsible for the production of dopamine.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4150910\/\">Yoga<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3044190\/\">Meditation<\/a>And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nn.2726\">Music:<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>These activities lower cortisol levels and increase dopamine production.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5716179\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5716179\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/15129844\/\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/15129844\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/articles\/22588-dopamine-deficiency\">https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/articles\/22588-dopamine-deficiency<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4154573\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4154573\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.princeton.edu\/~ndaw\/dt.pdf\">http:\/\/www.princeton.edu\/~ndaw\/dt.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/portlandpsychotherapy.com\/2011\/11\/riding-wave-using-mindfulness-help-cope-urges\/\">https:\/\/portlandpsychotherapy.com\/2011\/11\/riding-wave-using-mindfulness-help-cope-urges\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/operant-conditioning.html\">https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/operant-conditioning.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31408929\/\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31408929\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/22089932\/\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/22089932\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/22293035\/\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/22293035\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/23625424\/\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/23625424\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3598008\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3598008\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10725161\/\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10725161\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK209061\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK209061\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8301978\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8301978\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3044190\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3044190\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4150910\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4150910\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3819153\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3819153\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nn.2726\">https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nn.2726<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/17275369\/\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/17275369\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29903615\/\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29903615\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30415609\/\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30415609\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK224629\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK224629\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32699518\/\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32699518\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><i>The views expressed in this article reflect the opinions of the author, and not necessarily the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health encourages professional discussion and friendly debate. These guidelines will help you submit your opinion piece. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/submission-guidelines_4553495.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">our form here<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"author_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"one_author_block round\">\n<div class=\"top_row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/author-christy-prais\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ChristyPrais_WEB.jpg\" alt=\"Christy Prais\"   style=\"display:none\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>Christy A. Prais earned her business degree at Florida International University. She is the founder and host for Discovering True Health, a YouTube channel and podcast that focuses on health and wellness. She also contributes to the Epoch Times as a journalist. Christy is also a member of the Fostering Care Healing School&#8217;s advisory board.  <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tech companies hire highly-intelligent people to help them design the best product for their features. brain\u2019s reward systems. Their goal is to create addictive and habitual behavior. This is known as reward prediction error (RPE) encoding It features a neurotransmitter called dopamine. In 2018, interviewChamath Palihapitiya was the former Vice President of Facebook for User &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1786199,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[547],"tags":[4002,5458,15055,3819,6775],"class_list":["post-1806985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-bongino-report","tag-attack","tag-bongino","tag-dopamine","tag-report","tag-techs"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1806985","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1806985"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1806985\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1786199"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1806985"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1806985"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1806985"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}