{"id":837,"date":"2022-03-16T08:35:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T03:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ultrahumanblog.analysedigital.com\/?p=837"},"modified":"2022-11-16T16:27:08","modified_gmt":"2022-11-16T10:57:08","slug":"dopamine-fasting-benefits-know-how-to-do-it-right","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/blog\/dopamine-fasting-benefits-know-how-to-do-it-right\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking down the Science of Dopamine fasting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Admit it. You\u2019ve lived through most of the pandemic staring at a screen. Or multiple screens. The idea of binge-watching the new season of that show you\u2019ve declared \u201cthe best of our times\u201d is what\u2019s getting you through the day, as is the guilty-pleasure meal that will go with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just the mere thought of the cheesy pasta accompanying that murder mystery series makes you feel good right? What you\u2019re experiencing is dopamine being released in your brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply put, dopamine is a neurotransmitter transmitting signals between the nerve cells of the brain, hence earning the moniker \u201cchemical messenger\u201d. Dopamine plays a big role in your body\u2019s functioning\u2013blood flow, digestion, moods and emotions, motor control and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"601\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/dopamine-role-emotions-1024x601.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-838\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/dopamine-role-emotions-1024x601.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/dopamine-role-emotions-300x176.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/dopamine-role-emotions-768x451.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/dopamine-role-emotions-1536x901.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/dopamine-role-emotions-2048x1202.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>As is the case with most social media fads, experts suggest that the concept behind \u2018dopamine fasting\u2019 has been grossly misinterpreted with people taking it to the extreme,<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Doctors and researchers have reiterated that there is no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness; \u2018fasting\u2019 from dopamine\u2013which is essential to the functioning of the human body\u2013is impossible,<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>While disengaging from \u2018addictive\u2019 or \u2018compulsive\u2019 habits may have its own benefits, there are safer ways to practice this.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, a fairly recent wellness trend called \u201cdopamine fasting\u201d has created quite a buzz across the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The concept, coined by California-based psychiatrist Dr. Cameron Sepah in 2019, aims to \u201creset your dopamine levels\u201d by asking you to abstain from anything which brings you pleasure\u2013smartphones, social media, Netflix, cheat meal food and even sex, for starters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What is dopamine fasting all about? Does it work? Here\u2019s breaking it down for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What role does dopamine play in the human body?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before uncovering the many layers of the science behind dopamine fasting, let\u2019s first understand the function of dopamine in the human body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is created in the brain through a two-step process. First, it changes the amino acid tyrosine to a substance called dopa, and then into dopamine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dopamine is strongly associated with \u2018pleasure\u2019. Just the mere thought of expecting a reward, or the anticipation of indulging in an activity that brings you pleasure can increase the body\u2019s dopamine levels. For these reasons, it is famously called the \u201cfeel-good neurotransmitter\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is further explained by Tanya J. Peterson, NCC, DAIS, and mental health educator who says: \u201cIt\u2019s part of our reward centre, and when our brain produces dopamine in response to what we do, we feel good and want to do more of whatever it is that\u2019s making us feel so mentally healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That, in turn, leads to even more dopamine production.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dopamine also plays a role in various aspects of the body\u2019s neurological, cognitive, and behavioural functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These include blood flow, digestion, executive functioning, heart and kidney function, memory and focus, mood and emotions, motor control, pain processing, pancreatic function and insulin regulation, pleasure and reward seeking behaviour, sleep and the stress response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can be instrumental in saving lives. Doctors sometimes use prescription dopamine (Inotropin) in cases of low blood pressure, poor cardiac output, poor blood flow to vital organs as well as cases of septic shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Research reveals that dopamine also helps to regulate bloood sugar levels. Stimulating a specific part of the brain can increase dopamine activity and help insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An imbalance in dopamine levels can have a direct impact on our physical and mental health. A deficiency in dopamine levels may lead to balance issues, changes in weight, muscle cramps, low energy levels, anxiety, mood swings, constipation, tremors, sleep-loss, hallucinations and even a low sex drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Low dopamine levels may also lead to serious medical conditions such as Parkinson\u2019s disease and dopamine transporter deficiency syndrome (also known as infantile parkinsonism-dystonia), as well as depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, high dopamine levels can lead to an increase in concentration and energy levels as well as a higher sex drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it can also bring about competitive, aggressive behaviour as well as anxiety, stress and sleep problems. A hyperactive dopamine system may lead to schizophrenia, ADHD and drug addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studies have also indicated that a lack of sleep may also lower the body\u2019s dopamine levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This brings us to dopamine fasting. Those following the practice believe that the more they are exposed to the \u2018exhilaration of dopamine\u2019, the more they need to seek higher levels of stimulation in order to achieve that level of pleasure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sepah claims that dopamine fasting was introduced in an attempt to manage this \u2018addictive behaviour\u2019. However, is it really effective? Or just another trend blowing up on social media? Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The science behind dopamine fasting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As researchers have claimed, the evidence derived from this practice is purely anecdotal. When Sepah coined the term, he didn\u2019t expect it to be taken literally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He even clarified this in an interview with <em>New York Times<\/em>: \u201cDopamine is just a mechanism that explains how addictions can become reinforced, and makes for a catchy title. The title\u2019s not to be taken literally\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sepah\u2019s research around dopamine fasting was based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) &#8211; a form of short-term talk therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The original idea behind the \u201cdetox\u201d was to allow people to feel lonely, bored or to take on simpler activities without automatically reaching for quick \u201chits\u201d or fixes of dopamine\u2013for instance via texts, notifications, rings\u2013in short, reward-inducing cues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By doing this, people would recognize the unhealthy stimuli distracting them, and allow their brains to take breaks and reset from what can be considered \u201cpotentially addictive behaviour\u201d. This would allow them to regain control and better address and manage impulsive behaviours.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The impulsive behaviours which he targets through dopamine fasting, those that he believes are \u201ccommonly problematic and prone to addiction\u201d are emotional eating, excessive internet usage and gaming, gambling and shopping, porn and masturbation, thrill and novelty-seeking, and recreational drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, as is the case with most viral trends, people took dopamine fasting, what many are calling a \u201cSilicon Valley fad\u201d, to an extreme level. Misinterpreting the concept, they started practising a \u201ctotal break\u201d from just about anything bringing them pleasure\u2013social media, sex and even human interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This was in the hopes that these experiences would be more vivid when consumed after a period. As Sepah himself has reiterated, it doesn\u2019t work that way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also wrote that dopamine fasting has been a great opportunity to teach people a behavioural therapy technique to manage impulsive behaviours (like excessive internet\/gaming) by intentionally withdrawing from them for periods of time at the end of each day, week, quarter, and year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dopamine fasting IS NOT: an avoidance of dopamine, anything stimulating, or a silent meditation retreat in which you\u2019re not allowed to do anything or talk to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Criticism behind dopamine fasting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many psychiatrists believe that fasting from dopamine would be both impossible and fatal to the brain. They also state that avoidance of pleasure-seeking activities doesn\u2019t necessarily reset the body\u2019s dopamine levels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Explaining this further, Dr Fabian Almeida, Consultant Psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan told a publication: \u201cScientifically speaking, you can\u2019t really \u2018fast\u2019 from a naturally occurring brain chemical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While dopamine does rise in response to rewards or pleasurable activities, it doesn\u2019t actually decrease when you avoid over stimulating activities, so dopamine fasting doesn\u2019t actually lower your dopamine levels.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many also believe that dopamine fasting is the new term given to the age-old practice of \u2018mindfulness\u2019, incorporated largely by some health professionals in the treatment of addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, by taking the fad to an extreme\u2013like the avoidance of human interaction, dopamine fasters are denying themselves important healthy activities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Dopamine-fasting-benefits-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-839\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Dopamine-fasting-benefits-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Dopamine-fasting-benefits-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Dopamine-fasting-benefits-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Dopamine-fasting-benefits-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Dopamine-fasting-benefits-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Benefits of dopamine fasting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While we have established that the idea of a \u2018complete break&#8217; or \u2018dopamine fasting\u2019 is impossible, the attempt to detach from compulsive behaviours, the original thought behind the practice, do offer some health benefits\u2013for starters, heightened focus and greater mental clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, avoiding addictive behaviours such as mindless scrolling through social media will bring stress relief, lower blood pressure, and improved sleep.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dopamine fasting helps manage the tides of \u2018instant gratification\u2019. One of the techniques employed by Sepah in this practice is \u201cstimulus control\u201d. This aims to remove the stimulus that encourages impulsive behaviour so that one doesn\u2019t have to rely purely on willpower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, instead of just willing yourself to stop doomscrolling on Twitter, you can put your phone out of reach and make it harder to access as part of your fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another technique is exposure and response prevention. The idea behind it is that you can practice exposing yourself to a trigger, but you don\u2019t have to follow through with the expected behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So here, you can practice feeling the maddening need to check Twitter but then choose to go and do something else instead. Sepah also stresses the fact that there are no fixed rules around dopamine fasting, you can do it for as little as one to four hours at the end of the day, to one week in a whole year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to dopamine fast the right way?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While medical professionals are sceptical about the fast, they have said that taking out some time during the day, week or year to abstain from addictive or bad behaviour does accrue benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the right way to fast is subjective, Sepah directs a simple way to start: to first choose a behaviour you want to fast from. Abstain from said behaviour for one hour a day which can turn into four hours a day in time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Abstain from it for one weekend day per week (Saturday or Sunday); then one weekend per quarter and eventually, one week a year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those looking to minimize a selected behaviour to as little time as possible, they can follow a feasting schedule where the time allotted to engage in the said behaviour is 5-30 minutes, 1-3 times a day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studies suggest that dopamine plays a role in motivation control along with the other happy hormones, namely &#8211; oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins. While addiction is a complex disorder, dopamine plays a role when one develops tolerance to the addicted substance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tolerance refers to the point at which one ceases to experience the effects of the \u2018drug\u2019 despite consuming the same amount. When the \u2018reward centre\u2019 is overwhelmed, the brain tries to either scale down the production of the neurotransmitter or minimise dopamine receptors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It elicits a feeble \u2018pleasure\u2019 response but the craving remains and one needs more of the substance to satisfy the yearning.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Professionals are of the opinion that while people will not find a complete solution in dopamine fasting, it is an important element in resisting temptation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many adhere to dopamine fasting in an attempt to break their bad habits. However, there are less extreme ways of achieving this\u2013mindfulness and meditation for starters; practices that won\u2019t have you scuttling away if someone tries to make eye contact!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The original idea behind dopamine fasting may have been a noble one\u2013disconnecting from unhealthy stimuli to reconnect with oneself and managing compulsive behaviours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, people have taken it to an extreme by practising complete avoidance of anything and everything bringing them pleasure\u2013including even human interaction and eye contact! Not only is this harmful in various ways, it also doesn\u2019t actually reset dopamine levels in the body.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Experts suggest that dopamine is essential to the body and \u2018fasting\u2019 from it would be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, doctors and psychiatrists have clearly stated that dopamine fasting is impossible because abstaining from pleasure activities does not reduce the dopamine levels in the body.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While many began to follow this wellness fad in a bid to break a cycle of bad habits, doctors and healthcare professionals have suggested that they look more towards tried and tested practises, for instance, mindfulness and meditation, instead.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Disclaimer: <\/em>The contents of this article are for general information and educational purposes only. It neither provides any medical advice nor intends to substitute professional medical opinion on the treatment, diagnosis, prevention or alleviation of any disease, disorder or disability. Always consult with your doctor or qualified healthcare professional about your health condition and\/or concerns and before undertaking a new health care regimen including making any dietary or lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3433285\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Evidence That Sleep Deprivation Downregulates Dopamine D2R in Ventral Striatum in the Human Brain &#8211; PMC<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/11\/07\/style\/dopamine-fasting.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Feel Nothing Now, in Order to Feel More Later &#8211; The New York Times<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/blog\/dopamine-fasting-misunderstanding-science-spawns-a-maladaptive-fad-2020022618917\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dopamine fasting: Misunderstanding science spawns a maladaptive fad &#8211; Harvard Health<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/drcam.medium.com\/why-the-media-lies-to-you-about-dopamine-fasting-dceed8be007e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Why the Media Lies to You about Dopamine Fasting | by Dr. Cameron Sepah<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/dopamine-addiction#tolerance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dopamine and Addiction: Separating Myths and Facts<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Admit it. You\u2019ve lived through most of the pandemic staring at a screen. Or multiple screens. The idea of binge-watching the new season of that show you\u2019ve declared \u201cthe best of our times\u201d is what\u2019s getting you through the day, as is the guilty-pleasure meal that will go with it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":840,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-837","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bio-hacking"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.3 (Yoast SEO v25.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Breaking down the Science of Dopamine fasting - Ultrahuman<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/blog\/dopamine-fasting-benefits-know-how-to-do-it-right\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Breaking down the Science of Dopamine fasting\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Admit it. 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