DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that bridges communication between neurons and is closely linked to both reward and movement.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

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

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

People who are depressed may have lower tonic levels of dopamine, which can affect their overall happiness and contribute to feelings of depression.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

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.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Impulsivity, characterized by acting on urges without considering consequences, makes individuals more vulnerable to addiction.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Pleasure is difficult to define succinctly; it can be the pursuit of euphoria or a means to escape pain, often leading to addiction.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Many individuals who become addicted often feel that normal life is not interesting enough, seeking supernormal experiences instead.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Life is increasingly boring for many people today because basic survival needs are easily met, leading to a search for more stimulating experiences.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

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.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

When we indulge in pleasurable activities, our brain compensates by down-regulating dopamine receptors, which can lead to a state of anhedonia if indulged repeatedly.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Addiction can manifest in various forms, including substances, behaviors such as gambling, sex, and work, or even relationships, all driven by the same underlying neurobiological processes.

AH

Andrew Huberman Cast

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Addiction is a progressive narrowing of the things that bring you pleasure, while enlightenment is a progressive expansion of those things.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

People in recovery from severe addiction possess a hard-won wisdom that can benefit everyone, emphasizing adaptive ways to achieve dopamine balance.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

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

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Boredom is a necessary experience that can lead to creativity and self-reflection, helping us to consider our priorities and values.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Finding your passion shouldn't be about waiting for the perfect opportunity; instead, look around and see what needs to be done in your immediate environment.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

People often mistakenly believe they need to find their passion to be happy, but engaging in the work that needs to be done can lead to fulfillment.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Resetting the dopamine system typically requires 30 days of abstaining from addictive substances or behaviors to allow the brain to regenerate its reward pathways.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

During the first two weeks of abstinence from addiction, individuals often feel worse before they start to feel better, with significant improvements usually seen by week four.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Some individuals with severe addiction may never fully recover, as their brain's balance can remain tipped towards pain even after prolonged abstinence.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

People can relapse not only after negative life events but also when things are going well, possibly due to the dopamine associated with their successes.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

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.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

The anticipation of drug use creates a mini spike in dopamine, which is followed by a deficit state that drives the motivation to seek the drug.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

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

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

People with severe addiction often seek extreme highs and lows, which can lead to an addiction to the recovery community itself.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Being addicted to recovery and the support of the recovery community can be healthier than other forms of addiction, as it provides a sense of connection and dopamine release.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Addiction can manifest in various forms, even to seemingly benign things like water, highlighting the generalizability of addiction circuits in the brain.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Truth-telling is crucial in recovery, as it helps individuals stop lying about their drug use and fosters deeper connections that release dopamine.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

The act of apologizing for past wrongs is cathartic and renewing, allowing individuals to shed their past and begin anew in recovery.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Experiencing appropriate shame for past actions is important for recovery, as it helps individuals confront their mistakes and promotes healing.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Social media is engineered to be addictive, functioning like a drug that requires thoughtful use to avoid negative impacts on our lives.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

We need to approach social media with intention, planning our usage to connect with others rather than getting lost in it.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Addiction to social media can manifest differently; some people can use it in moderation while others may become quickly overwhelmed and addicted.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

When people are getting addicted to something, they often don't realize it until after the fact, similar to texting and driving.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

To combat addiction, we should create intentional barriers between ourselves and our devices, allowing for uninterrupted thought and creativity.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

The pressure to achieve can lead to a cycle of constant striving, where success feels unsatisfying and leads to further pressure.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

True fulfillment often comes from focusing on being of service rather than chasing recognition or success.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

The more we give to others, the more we receive in return, creating a cycle of generosity that enriches our lives.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

Understanding the balance of pleasure and pain is crucial for managing addiction and improving our overall well-being.

DA

Dr. Anna Lembke

08/16/21

@ Andrew Huberman

I avoid social media because I know I wouldn't be able to control my usage; intimacy and connection are my personal 'drugs'.

Dr. Anna Lembke: Understanding & Treating Addiction

Takeaways