Excessive dopamine release can lead to habituation, where the brain becomes less responsive to pleasure, while simultaneously increasing the perception of pain, a mechanism that can contribute to addiction.

Low levels of dopamine and serotonin can lead to anhedonia, making it difficult to experience pleasure, which is why treatments like antidepressants aim to raise these baseline levels.

To maintain a healthy dopamine balance, we should avoid overindulgence and allow ourselves to experience some boredom and discomfort.

We are always releasing dopamine at a tonic baseline rate, and deviations from this baseline are what influence our experience of pleasure and pain.

Chronic exposure to substances or behaviors that release large amounts of dopamine can lower our tonic baseline over time, leading to a dopamine deficit state.

We need to distinguish between spending dopamine on low-effort activities and investing it in meaningful experiences that enhance our lives. We evolved to connect with other humans, and while relaxing activities like barbecues or watching Netflix can be enjoyable, they shouldn't be the only things we do.

The balance between pleasure and pain in the brain is maintained by the same neural pathways, and any deviation from neutrality prompts the brain to restore balance.

Triggers that make us want to return to drug use also release dopamine, leading to cravings when the anticipation of using is followed by a dopamine deficit state.

Addiction is not just about pleasure; it's about wanting and motivation, which is driven by dopamine deficits.