Most of us must have heard or read about the concept of dopamine fasting, dopamine detox. It has actually sort of gone viral in the last few years. After reading about the concept, understanding how it works, and its benefits to the body and mind, we decided to give dopamine fasting a try. The aim was to see if it would help us to reduce our dependence on certain behaviors and improve our emotional well-being. Also, to understand any urges we feel whilst on the detox. Even though we did quite a mini version of the detox, it felt quite good and refreshing.
In this blog, we’d like to talk about what a dopamine detox means, and our experience.
What Is Dopamine And What Does It Do?
Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that helps control how we feel and act. It is often associated with pleasure and motivation. When we do something that feels good, like eating a delicious meal or achieving a goal, dopamine is released in the brain. This helps us feel good and want to do it again. When there is not enough dopamine in the brain, it can make us feel sad, unmotivated, and tired. When there is too much dopamine, it can make us feel too excited or impulsive. Overall, dopamine helps us feel good and motivated and keeps our brains working properly.
What Is Dopamine Detox Or Dopamine Fasting?
Dopamine detox or dopamine fasting is a practice that some believe can help reset the brain’s sensitivity to dopamine and other neurotransmitters. The idea is that by reducing or eliminating certain behaviors or activities that release dopamine, such as using technology, social media, or engaging in pleasurable activities, the brain can become less dependent on these external sources of dopamine, and begin to produce more of the chemical naturally.
What Are The Symptoms Of High Dopamine?
Symptoms of high dopamine levels can vary depending on the individual, and may include:
- Increased energy and motivation
- Elevated mood and euphoria
- Increased libido
- Hyperactivity
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Increased risk-taking behavior
- Impulsivity
- Aggression
- Paranoid thoughts
It’s important to note that high dopamine levels can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. If you suspect that you may have high dopamine levels, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Are Dopamine Detoxes Healthy?
The practice of dopamine fasting is still a new concept and not yet supported by scientific research. However, some people report that dopamine fasting has helped them to reduce their dependence on certain behaviors, increase their focus and productivity, and improve their emotional well-being. However, it’s important to note that for some people dopamine fasting may be harmful, especially for those with mental health conditions or addiction.
Additionally, dopamine fasting may be beneficial for people who feel they are overstimulated by their environment and need to take a break to reboot their brain (which I feel most of us are with our oh so busy life!). By taking a break from the constant stimulation, people may find that they feel more relaxed and better able to handle stress.
Ways To Do Dopamine Detoxes
Here are a few potential methods for dopamine fasting that have been proposed by some practitioners:
- Technology detox: This involves limiting or eliminating the use of technology such as smartphones, laptops, and social media for a specific period of time.
- Sensory deprivation: This involves limiting the input of certain senses, such as sight or sound, for a specific period of time. This can be done by wearing blindfolds, earplugs, or spending time in a quiet, dark room.
- Fasting: This can include not only food but also other pleasurable activities like sex, or eating sweets.
- Mindfulness and meditation: This involves focusing on the present moment and letting go of thoughts, feelings, and sensations that trigger the release of dopamine.
- Indulging in relaxing activities could also have you switch off from the world for a bit. One of my favorite activities is to go for pottery making in London.
How Long Should a Dopamine Detox Be?
The length of a dopamine detox, also known as dopamine fasting, can vary depending on the individual and their specific needs. Some people may choose to detox for a few hours or a day, while others may choose to do a longer detox, lasting several days or even weeks. It’s very subject to you!
What Did We Do To Reset Dopamine Levels In Our Body?
We did a mini version of technology dopamine detox – 1 day without technology. With our full-time jobs, side hustles, family, and families in different time zones technology walk next to us day in and day in.
We decided to eliminate the use of technology such as smartphones, laptops, and social media for 1 day. We put our phones and laptop in a cupboard on Friday night and took them out on Sunday morning. The goal of this experimental actively was to have no agenda for a day, do nothing, and no do-to lists (which is very rare for us)
Our Experience
We are so happy we did this. Got familiar with this concept, and got this experience even if it was for a day.
Things felt more clear. Yes, CLEAR is the word.
In the first few hours, I found ourselves constantly reaching for my phone, and feeling a strong urge to check my social media and emails. Every task that I had missed the previous week came back to me. But, oh I needed my phone or laptop to do it so can’t. Spend a good time cooking a very good meal. As soon as I was finished my first instinct was to take a picture but oh, can’t. The urge to call my parents and check on them, a lot of such tiny thoughts and emotions kept coming up. Surprisingly, we got to know during this detox that we don’t own a wall clock and relied on our phones to check the time.
As the day passed by, we felt more relaxed, less anxious, and more focused. I think it was the first time I sat on my couch and properly looked out of the window. Noticing the people passing by walking their dogs, the river waves, and the wind touching the tree leaves. It felt very grounding. We found that we were able to let our minds breathe and focus on the present moment. The technology dopamine detox helped us to be more mindful and to be more aware of our thoughts and feelings.
Observing the World
One of the most striking observations we made was how much time we spent mindlessly scrolling through our phones. The detox helped us to realize how much time we were wasting on our devices. How it was impacting our emotional well-being.
This experience also made us appreciate technology, and how it has made our lives so easy and connected. It made us appreciate the phone camera that lets me capture beautiful moments. It made us appreciate my music apps like Spotify which makes music so accessible to me.
However, as the days went on, we began to notice a change. We felt more relaxed, less stressed, and more focused. We found that we were able to let our minds breathe and focus on the present moment.
The goal is now to try to do a tech detox twice every month. It feels great and we highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to give themselves a break. Have a day without any external noise.
Attaching a few reference blogs for you to read more. The idea of dopamine fasting was introduced by –
- The Definitive Guide to Dopamine Fasting 2.0: The Hot Silicon Valley Trend
- Dopamine Detox: What Is It, How Do You Do It And Does It Work?
☝️DISCLAIMER☝This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
