#29 Dopamine Expert: How to Rewire your Brain for Meaning in a World Addicted to MORE!

Mike Long is a playwright, speechwriter, and co-author of Taming
the Molecule of More — the practical sequel to the bestselling
neuroscience book The Molecule of More.Dopamine doesn’t bring
happiness — it brings anticipation. It’s the molecule that keeps
us scrolling, swiping, craving, and chasing. But when understood
and tamed, it can also drive purpose, focus, and deeply
fulfilling lives.


Expect to learn why dopamine isn’t about pleasure at all, how it
hijacks our relationships, sex lives, and attention spans, the
true science behind dopamine fasting and cold plunges, how porn
and dating apps rewire the brain’s reward system, the difference
between craving and contentment, why “boosting dopamine” is a
myth, how to inject novelty into long-term love, how GLP-1 drugs
like Ozempic are changing the science of addiction, and how to
finally align your brain’s pursuit system with long-term meaning





Timestamps:


00:01:55 – Understanding Dopamine: The Molecule of More


00:04:56 – The Misconceptions of Dopamine and Happiness


00:07:55 – Taming the Molecule of More: Motivations and Insights


00:10:56 – Dopamine's Role in Human Evolution and Modern Life


00:13:58 – Rewiring the Brain: Valuing the Present vs. Future


00:17:07 – The Impact of Technology on Dopamine Levels


00:19:49 – Finding Meaning in a Dopamine-Driven World


00:23:03 – The Importance of Self-Reflection and Belief Systems


00:25:50 – Dopamine Fasting: Myths and Realities


00:28:56 – Boosting Dopamine: Exercise and Lifestyle Choices


00:43:07 – The Power of Small Daily Actions


00:45:25 – Dopamine and Relationships


00:51:07 – Understanding Expectations in Relationships


00:52:13 – Mindfulness and Reaction to Stimulation


00:56:35 – Injecting Novelty into Relationships


01:02:26 – Navigating Attraction and Cravings


01:07:59 – The Importance of Meaning in Life


01:12:27 – Finding Meaning and Purpose


01:25:08 – Practical Steps to Manage Impulses.


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