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The impact of dopamine detox on physical and mental health and wellbeing

According to research, strategic breaks from overstimulating activities can be good for your health.

 

The new wellness trend – dopamine detox – also sometimes called dopamine fasting, is a practice that typically involves taking a temporary break from constantly rewarding activities in order to restore your brain to a more balanced state. This can include taking a break from things like alcohol, caffeine, sugar, mindless snacking, social media, video games, gambling, compulsive shopping, or other highly stimulating activities.

 

Dopamine is the brain’s ‘feel-good hormone’, part of the body’s reward system and a reason some substances, activities, and experience can become addictive. When you are doing something pleasurable, your dopamine levels spike, and that is what keeps you ‘hooked’.

 

The purpose of a dopamine detox isn’t to take away sources of pleasure but to break or lessen your dependency on them. After a dopamine detox, mundane activities often become more enjoyable. By resetting your brain’s reward system, it becomes more responsive to everyday pleasures such as yoga, walking, face-to-face socializing, reading, running, journaling, knitting, or meditation.

 

 

A dopamine detox can lead to an overall improvement in your mental and physical well-being, and a greater appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. A recent study, for example, found that blocking the internet from people’s smartphones for two weeks increased their feelings of well-being and boosted their ability to focus.

 

 

To perform a dopamine detox, you need to consciously limit exposure to a stimulating activity for a specified period – anywhere from a couple of hours to a week-long dopamine detox can be helpful. By removing the stimulus, you are compelled to find other activities to keep yourself busy, such as going for a walk, catching up with friends, or spending time in nature. The dopamine detox can be a good starting point for anyone seeking a more holistic approach to their wellbeing.

 

 

The benefits of a dopamine detox

 

 

Taking a break from certain impulsive behaviors comes with many health benefits, including:

 

 

Heightened focus and greater mental clarity

 

Taking a break from overstimulating activities, like social media or video games, can help your brain to prioritize, and process information more effectively.

 

 

Enhanced productivity

 

By temporarily abstaining from overstimulating activities, you may find it easier to focus on tasks and long-term goals, leading to more productive work and study.

 

 

Rediscovering joy in simple pleasures

 

By resetting the brain’s reward system, the joy you find in simpler activities such as reading a book or walking in nature can feel more fulfilling and rewarding, boosting your overall life satisfaction.

 

 

Stress reduction

 

When you take a break from impulsive behaviors, you develop a higher threshold for stress, leading to a calmer, more mindful state.

 

 

Enhanced mood, and reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression

 

Breaking away from activities that may lead to constant dopamine spikes can help reset your brain’s reward system and improve your overall emotional well-being.

 

 

Improved sleep quality

 

Excessive stimulation, such as sugary treats, scrolling social media, and binge-watching TV shows, especially close to bedtime, can negatively impact sleep. Without constant overstimulation, your body’s natural sleep cues kick in, which can lead to more restorative sleep.