Dopamine fasting is a misleading name but a powerful protocol
Its misleading name and distorted media presence has caused confusion about what Dopamine fasting It really is, and most importantly, what it is not. The name should not be taken (nor was it intended) literally - you can't fast from dopamine. The concept of dopamine fasting was created to reduce impulsive behaviors, not the neurotransmitter.
You cannot fast from dopamine
A few years ago, Cameron Sepah, PhD, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, coined the term "dopamine fasting." Since then it has become a buzz on social media. Mostly, people either ignore it as a Silicon Valley tech trend or treat it like a fast-paced lifestyle: restricting their electronic devices, along with enjoyable activities, such as listening to music, exercising, eating, reading, socializing, even talking - trying to lower the dopamine levels in the brain even They feel more pleasure when they re-engage in those activities.
But that's not how it works — again, you can't fast from dopamine. Dopamine is a natural neurotransmitter (not an exogenous substance) that is constantly functioning in the brain. Its levels are higher at certain times than others—like experiencing the pleasure of sex, eating delicious food, or listening to music—but dopamine is always present in the brain, involved in movement, learning, and other functions that normally make our bodies function. Even if you can do a dopamine fast, that is not a dopamine fast.
So what is dopamine fasting?
Dopamine fasting is a cognitive behavioral therapy-based approach designed to help people become aware of and Reducing addictive or impulsive behaviors. Sepah identified six categories of behaviors found to be most likely to be addictive (it's not an exhaustive list, so other behaviors may also qualify): excessive Internet use or gaming, emotional eating, gambling or shopping, porn or masturbation, and thrill- or thrill-seeking behaviors Modernism, and recreational drug use.
It does not include conscious behaviors that are enjoyed in blissful moderation. And his approach doesn't just apply to Silicon Valley techs — many of us could benefit from a better understanding of our impulsive behaviours. (To be clear, we're not talking about behavior that pleases you. It could be something from a spam menu or something else, like diving into a novel.)
Dopamine fasting protocol
Sepah created a fasting schedule - a proposed plan for abstaining from impulsive behaviour. He suggests these fasting times for when you want to reduce your impulsive behavior but not cut it out completely: one to four hours before bedtime depending on your work schedule, one day at the end of the week (try to spend that time outdoors or doing other activities), one weekend every A quarter of a year (take a local trip), and one week a year (maybe time for a vacation). He even recommends mealtime—when you time the impulsive behavior for 5 to 30 minutes one to three times a day.
His approach is surprisingly reasonable and echoes familiar wellness practices. It is particularly appealing that, rather than exposing impulsive behaviors, his method sets awareness and boundaries around them. Whatever you call it—dopamine fasting, mindfulness, or relaxation—it's a way to create space in your days, weeks, months, and years rather than constantly wallowing in the catchy emotions that overwhelm us all. No matter how you choose to fill your time, dopamine fasting encourages you to do so more mindfully.
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This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it includes advice from doctors and medical practitioners. This article is not, and is not intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the expert and do not necessarily represent the opinions of goop.
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