Story of my life. Ugh, God help me. Help us all who are struggling with addiction. Especially those of us walking alone..

True Story: The first time I watched this I ate 3/4 of a bag of chocolate chips. The second time I drank water. I think I'm getting it!

When I moved towards a healthy life-style my marriage ended in divorce and very severe family punishments. I went to live alone in a simple, small, "primitive" island village and I painted t'shirts for tourists. I healed a lot in the quiet 20 years of simplicity. I have been back here in the industrial world for 20 years now and the insanity here is just thick ! I am 80 yrs old now and I can barely cope with it all. Thank God I'm an artist with a lot of paints and brushes old Regge music (and a big heart for helping others) Seriously!

"Radical honesty leads to true intimacy" - Anna Lembke. Thank you ❤️

Excellent conversation ! Thank you both. At age 82 I spend every pleasant summer day outdoors doing yard and garden work. It is my hobbie. Winters, since retirement are super hard on me living in Michigan. I noticed almost every March since my retirement I feel ill, because I love being outdoors but can not risk being outside. Already making plans for doing a few new things this summer. Want to grow 3 different kind mushroom, create another huegel bed, raise earthworms to harvest their castings to feed my garden plants. Already started sweet potatoes in glass and water on the window sill on the windowsill to get my own starter slips. Start taking an interest in nature is the most healing and balancing activity for all of us. Having a working relationship with the true creative Love/Light positive energy is the secret to being happy. Learning to love ourselves is primary.

Thank you Rangan 😭😭. This is helping me regain my life after 4 years of consuming marijuana everyday ❤️. So glad I came across this, I’m not giving up

Phone, computers ,technology credit cards TV s, cars are killing us. I remember my grandfather, he didn't have anything like these. He was the happiest ,content, person i ever known . He worked hard every day, he was outside alot every day. He really appreciated every moment of his life , he was so free and full of life seen the beauty of life even though he went through alots of hardships.

0:00 One of the key messages 0:20 What is dopamine 2:37 Present addiction inducing environment 3:48 To get out of addiction, understand the pleasure - pain balance (seesaw) 7:54 Internet, smartphones .... 1:10:38 Radical honesty 1:28:15 Outlook on future 1:29:19 Final words of wisdom

It's ironic that since I've been stuck in my apartment because of the pandemic, I've spent countless hours watching UKposts videos (in addition to taking Zoom art classes and listening to Zoom live lectures, AND playing video games) and now I'm seeing my UKposts viewing as a dopamine-induced addiction. I think I watched close to 6 hours of videos today, with breaks for eating, feeding my birds and other short activities. This one, though, really had an impact because I already suspected that over these past two years of the zombie apocalypse, I've become fully addicted to watching stuff on the computer. For the last two days, I was completely absorbed in simultaneously coloring in a wonderful book of Madhubani illustrations AND watching movies and UKposts videos -- a full 12 hours straight. One of those two days was gorgeous outside, sunny and in the 70s, and in the back of my mind I kept thinking, "I should go outside and go for a walk" - up until the sun went down, around 730 p.m. What especially struck me in this video was the whole discussion of the see-saw of dopamine pleasure vs dopamine gremlins who turn the pleasurarble feelings into pain and anxiety and other crappy feeings. I'd recently figured out I have a video-game problem when I observed myself getting more and more bitchy when, after playing for hours, I couldn't advance a level in my game, but still kept playing. I've also been spending money on the game (to pay for more moves, boosts, etc.) that didnt' seem like much at first -- maybe $2.99 a pop -- but when I finally got the nerve to look at my bank statement and see the total over the course of a few months, I was shocked. It was something like $200. On a game! I also talked to my therapist about this dawning realization, because the game playing gradually started pushing the time I went to bed further and further into the next morning! And then waking up late in the afternoon was messing up my ability to fulfill my regular responsibilities, or even to just get out of the house and be with other people. So, it seems I am one of those people whose pandemic isolation has led me into habits I wouldn't have developed in my prior normal life. It also doesn't help that just before the pandemic, I ended an 11-year relationship with a covert narcissist who left me with elements of PTSD, and then a year later had to put my 16-year-old dog to sleep -- caring for my dog had really given my pandemic-isolation life some structure and he had been a great companion. And then there was a rift with my brother and sister over caring for my mother, who suffered from dementia, who then died last Christmas in a nursing home. All of these things contributed to my looking to social media, games, movies, and other distractions for comfort. By the way, I have health issues that put me in the high-risk category for potentially dying from COVID, even now when I am fully vaccinated and boostered. So, I've been by myself almost 24/7 for two years. Now I am thinking about taking that one-month break from all these things. Summer is coming, so it's a good time to do this, since I can get outdoors and get my dopamine from Mother Nature. But I can see that I will need to prepare, to set up a plan so that I am connecting with my friends and family and not becoming totally isolated. Because even though something like Facebook isn't real connection with other people, it did sustain me for a long time, especially one group in which I was able to share my artwork. So, this discussion has given me lots of food for thought (and this is the upside of UKposts). But now I need to translate this insight into actions.

Since I gave up alcohol, I’m sure I get a dopamine release listening to podcasts at bedtime about why giving up alcohol is good for us.

This is my 3rd videos of Anna Lembke. 1st from Huberman lab, 2nd from Rich Roll. I learn more each time. Thank you very much.

This video couldn't have come at a better time, LOVED IT! As a parent, I long suspected that the over use of gaming, phones was so addictive but its terrifying to hear how Dopamine can change you! Lessons learnt, changes are afoot. You both should make a TV programme out of this to enlighten us all on the Dopamine effect. PLEASE! Thanks again for all u do💗

*5 things to quit right now:* *1. Overthinking* *2. Trying to make everyone happy* *3. Living in the past* *4. Worrying* *5. Doubting yourself*

"Dopamine Nation" really helped me understand my brain and its relationship with dopamine.

1:08:34 "not having healthy attachments is a risk factor for addiction" True!

What if you're addicted to watching UKposts videos?🧐

The fear and uncertainty of life during the pandemic has not been good for most people. I disagree that a significant number of people have found more peace and meaning during this time. There are more people suffering than thriving. For people in recovery or people with addictions, this time has been agonizing.

My daughter got her first phone at 17. Though she does enjoy the internet, she also has veggie/flower gardens, chickens, goes to the gym and is in college full time.

This is one of the most informative and useful conversations I’ve ever watched and the honesty and respect shown to each other was just such a pleasure to see.

This is so interesting. As a woman with ADD diagnosis I’ve noticed my ADD becomes worse with PMS. I was reading about ADD and dopamine and see how my whole life I have had issues with seeking dopamine hits. PMS is interesting to as it’s because dopamine levels go down with oestrogen. It makes so much sense now why I walk around in a daze of pleasure seeking at that time of month where instead I should go for a walk etc to help

I was addicted to my emotions; so that was fun… I never knew that was a thing…. It definitely was. Become aware guys, look into yourself and become conscious of ourselves. That for me was one of the most profound steps.

Being in love is the best dopamine !

Anna is a fantastic writer. Anna's book is also way more than a scientist, she has real literary talent. Dr. Chatterjee did a great job with this.

This tells me that by nature, humans are wired for pleasure. So whatever it is, we can turn it into addictive behavior. Like during the pandemic, I noticed my hoarding behavior. I did not just buy one brand of Vit C, I bought 5 and consumed them by rotation. Same with soaps, groceries, etc. Online shopping. An outlet for my anxiety and boredom. Now I am trying to wean myself from hoarding. Hmmm, self-awareness to control whatever it is that we are craving at the moment.

I am 55 and have recently found that my body is guiding me to a healthier diet. I started to find meat tasted bad and found myself not liking lamb(stopped beef years ago) then chicken so I just stopped. Hatred avocado all my like but now I crave avocado salads. I am now trying to analyse what caused these changes in my eating habits. Watching this video has opened up a new pathway to investigate for me.

OMG I'm an addict!! I realize that I've had many addictions without even knowing. I started as a teenager with food moved on to romance novels ect. Wow! But, somehow my own body helped me to realize this imbalance and will after bingeing on whatever detox the next day by fasting and drinking water. Every morning I wake up and feel damn what did I do last night? Yuk and eat a very frugal breakfast and water and don't have anything else until much later in the day. But what I've noticed is that some foods now a days have been amped up apparently to make them more addictive like some chips and candies are just too much!!! They're are so amped up they're literally disgusting not to mention they don't even taste like real food anymore!!

I cried while listening to this. So true and powerful! I have been struggling so much with porn addiction! I have been fighting a silent cruel and bloody fight against it since i was like 13 and it affected my life so much! It affected my social skills, my relationship, my studies, my sleep, and brought a lot of distortion to my worldview. I could recover from it while living in europe in 2019. Everything was working so well and I was so happy that I didn't need it anymore. That's when I realized I was usibg porn as a scaping mechanism. I wanted to scape any frustration and avoid any pain and any disconfort. That was what I was looking for in pornography. In 2019 I felt no need for porn and could live a better life without it. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit me like a truck and I didn't know how to cope with all the stress so I was terribly triggered and threw myself back into porn. Now I am on my way to recover from it again, and to get my life back on track. We know how much distruction and desperation addictions can cause. Thank you, again, so much, for this conversation. I needed to hear it.

The combination of the two of you was just perfect. And just what i believe i needed. Thank you very much. Grateful.

Thanks. I found you while looking for info on carb addiction and you have given me a whole new understanding on life and the problems so many face. We have to be so careful to protect ourselves from those who take advantage of us - so we must guard our words depending on the person we are with. The wolves devour.

Great conversation and a compelling book. Thanks for having Anne on, Dr. Chatterjee.

Best moments for me Anna L; we are living in a dopamine overloaded world where everything has been drugified. Everything is now more accessible, more novel. Anna said life nowadays is too easy because we can access anything we want. Smartphone is the modern day drug needle Anna: I care about preventative medicine. People die because of diet, lack of exercise, drugs. We are dying because of our behaviours. [ Hence you are living, thriving, ameliorating because of yours] Mindfully telling the truth upregulates the frontal cortex = used for storytelling, planning ahead and delayed gratification! Wow: Chaterjee: dopamine is not good or bad. It is about where we are getting it from. Wow. Epiphany. 1:27:07 [Hence get it from meaningful profound activities, over doing meaningless things on the internet] The last point by Rangan is one of my favourites!

Blessings to you Dr C for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with the world. 🙏🏽🕊🦋

What a great conversation. This is my favorite interview I’ve seen of this doctor. Thank you!

Leveraging what can be such a negative into a positive is huge!

This is one of the best and most personally helpful videos I've ever heard! Thanks 👍

im almost 50 and ive never had a reward center to activate that feel good feeling until i took a ritalin last year.. cried in relief, blood pressure went up, dr said nope, so ill try to meditate again.

Excellent so many truthful insights I will listen to it again !! Thank you so much The closing words about Hope and don’t give up much needed in the times we live in now I think what you both said about people who have come up and out the other side Really can do so much for others Quote I will never forget If the eyes had no tears the soul would have no rainbow .... These are the sort of people I feel safer with , thanks for taking the time to have such a helpful Hope filled conversation .

I loved her book Dopamine Nation and love listening to her. Great podcast!

Dr. Chatterjee, I commend you for actively trying to control your children's internet use while the immediate present and immediate future would be easier if you let him have free range, the long-term consequences could be horrible for his life and that of his children's

BRAVO!! First time I have ever heard of a woman being honest about romance novels tying it to, escaping, addiction and the pornography connection. Bravo. I have that issue and I want to stop but many days I do not want to be living in my body as me. Want so much to be someone else living a better life...have to break this addiction and learn to live with the pain of slowly everyday building a good life without the escape. I am meant for more despite my past. The shame of my past gives me much pain in the present. That pleasure novel addiction must stop. Anyways I think I want to get her book. This is a great podcast.

This is such an important conversation! We need to understand how to maintain a healthy balance. I love that you both included how to help children avoid the traps of addiction. Grounding into our bodies, like with a walk in nature. 30 days fast from addictive behaviors. Radical honesty to strengthen the pre frontal cortex. Hard work/tasks to help recalibrate our brains' ability to produce a healthy dopamine balance. Congruency with who we are, what we need, and what we project publicly helps calm the compulsive cravings for dopamine. Loved this episode! Right up my alley! Thank you. 🙏❤️

Brilliant! Two real treasures . REAL GEMS OF THE HUMAN SPECIES . Thank you ❤️

First and foremost I'd like to thank the both of you for all you have done/doing to help better lives and secondly may all who are in need be blessed with the ability to understand, implement and and literally act upon these pearl's of wisdom.. wish everyone #feel better live more

Thank you for your wonderful and caring work 🙏♥️

Anne Lembke is such a patient listener amongst other amazing things. Great discussion. Great insight. Such depth. WOW! Thanks Rangan. Thanks Anne.

I remember my adult relatives restricting cartoons and TV when I was a child; now I understand why. Thanks

I learn so much everytime I listen to both of these authentic individuals.

This topic gave my mind wide open. I'm gen Z, and i'm so optimistic about life balance in our next human generation. Thank you very much doc.

This interview is brilliant and had my gripped from beginning to end. I could listen to Dr Anna all day👍

This kind of content is amazing. Its what truly counts.

Best description of dopamine regulation ever.

It might be nice to get someone from a 12 step programme in I have not used it myself but I have found Russell Brands explanation of working a 12 step programme to be very insightful and particularly the role of spirituality,at least for him and many others although not all who work the 12 step. I personally believe that a spiritual basis to our lives and connection with or lack of with our deepest selves is at the heart of every addiction and also dis-ease in general.I suppose this is what Gabor talks about in that trauma and much of modern life disconnects us from this part of ourselves. Also radical honesty is a big part of the 12 step programme,also the idea of radical honesty as far as I know was coined by Tara Brach who is a Buddhist practitoner/psychologist and she has one talk called The joy of getting real..truth telling is definitely a big part of making any positive changes in our lives,self denial is definitely the enemy of change

I'm watching this while I'm drinking my Kratom oj mixture and sipping my extra strong alcohol. Ugh, they're absolutely right. God damn it.

Amazing, thank you both. So insightful

Absolutely fascinating conversation.

I'm only 5 minutes in and I already LOVE the way she's explaining this. I look forward to the rest of the video. Thank you for it

Thank you so much this will help me personally and professionally.

I'm in tears... So lovely to hear two decent people having a heart felt, honest--yet still tentative discussion. We live in a world of absurd certainty and over the top virtue. I have feel so lonely in these sorts of conversations. I want to hug you both. I'm new to the channel, and maybe you have had this conversation, but have you had Jay Jay Bhattacharya?

Brilliant conversation so informative and insightful I am looking forward to reading her book. Thanks.

I respect this lady and her work so much

Radical honesty is a beautiful thing! My 73 years Life experiences have taught me this is true even though it's against the flow with the norm. I thank you for your braveness and it does require radical braveness as well

OMG Dr Rangan, you are SO special, SO precious... I appreciate and respect your approach incredibly much 💎🤍

Really enjoyed that talk. I don’t consider myself to have an addictive personality and being 60+ I’m certainly not wedded to my phone or social media, though I do engage with it in a limited way but over the last few months I’m watching much less TV but instead watch/listen to a lot of podcasts and also use UKposts for things like guided meditation. I’m wondering now if I’m a bit addicted to that (!) but I learn a lot & try to incorporate things into my life that can be helpful. You mentioned your podcast with Benjamin Francis Leftwich which is in my top 3 & a very compelling listen & I was introduced to his music from your talk with him. Thanks Dr Rangan for all your great podcasts with such a wide range of guests!

thanks for you two, dr Rangan and dr Anne

She is so brilliant.

Excellent!!! Thank You very much, I really got a lot from this podcast.

Wow! Such an important talk. Thank you so much. This will influence and inform my own life, parenting and coaching practice going forward.

Loved this Dr Rangan thank you

Thank you Dr Rangan Chatterjee and Anna Lembke - this was a really thought provoking discussion. I am so looking forward to reading Anna's book!

Hi to all! I wanna share my experience with some of the things of addiction you both talk about, and how l learnt to deal with the issues, are to turn to our creator, who is the higher power. So, that has helped me tremendously to become more grounded with myself with the help of our creator and his higher power and ability to do so. It goes to show that without his help and intervention, Satan was turning my addiction into a monster of total self distribution. May God bless us all and protect us from provocation of Satan.

Amazing woman. I’m immediately ordering her book.

Thank you for this excellent video

You've no idea. THIS VIDEO HAS SAVED MY LIFE.

Thank you both. This is life changing information of how our neurotransmitters really work. I believe this is going to help me with my addictions and depression.

Enjoying this podcast alot. It goes well with other lectures I've been listening to lately, Peterson, nietzche, Jung, biblical lessons, etc...

I swear that it's a synchronicity (with nobs on) that I just 'happenned' upon this!... The timing The relevance The appreciation I have for you both! First time on this channel! That's one more Sub for you Mr , and I'm about to note your name and search you Mi Lady... Cos this is more than 'Chance'! Some of what you say here is actually medicine for me!... All variables at optimum levels - I've never needed and received such resonance before... Through the darkest come the bestest! WHO ARE YOU? WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL THIS TIME? Blown away - in the nicest way🤗😊😉

This is phenomenal. The array of topics and the honesty is fantastic. Thank you.

Thank you Rangan for the video. Dr. Anna was really helpful and I like her style of teaching and her humility and honesty. ☺️💯

15:25 GOSH. This is the 2nd interview I watched of Anna. love her. I resonate with her energy and expression. Excited to read her book. Love the vulnerability and confidence in expressing that. 25:45 This is so fascinating. WOW! 1:23:47 So beautiful. I can relate.

I'm so addicted to UKposts but it's how I get THIS kind of information!

I am addicted to video games. I am 36. I excel in video games and in that world people look up to me as a leader and a powerful teammate. This is unbelievably addictive. There is nothing in this life that I actually enjoy more in the moment. It is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. If you have children please protect them from video games Do not let them over use them.

This is the best presentation on addiction I have ever seen. Wonderful - thank you!

Thanks so much for all that good information. It has made me look at my behaviour keenly than before and have taught me alot about telling the truth and why It's important.

Wow!! Okay, normally I don't comment until after I've watched the entire video - I'm 1/5 of the way into it and this is SO important!! More to come......

Very valuable information. Thank you

Superb conversation. I witnessed a young podcaster the other day who was actually questioning why on earth someone would go and learn a sport, when you will "suck at it" when you can go online and be "like, super cool". And he just could not grasp the argument that to learn and perform a sport is so much better for you on every level (dopamine wasn't even mentioned). I was shocked at how convinced this young man was, that online gaming was far preferable to even going for a walk - which surely, if you're not 2, you ought to be fairly accomplished at. It makes me shudder. I realise I watch podcasts on YT, on topics I find interesting. And that I read about those topics avidly. And I drink tea (without sugar).

“We really have reached a tipping point when people are dying because of their behaviors”

So true...this connect s so well to smoking

Thank you for your work rangan! I really enjoyed this episode, i learnt so many things i didnt know. I think that probably im addited to my phone (im dont have a diagnostic but this is my opinion), especially social media. The reasons are various: i dont find people that like the things that i like (i live in a small town, so i dont have many options, and as i get older its more difficult), im hard of hearing so having new relations its usually a struggle... I think i use social media when im bored because its easy to get distracted and forget your feelings. Also i use so much youtube because its a place where i can find different stuff for learning about so many things and i love it but maybe... I use it so much hahaha Its hard making distance with my phone because its my main tool to communicate withmy friends but I will try to be more mindful with her use and stop my circle of addiction. Thank you for sharing this information with the automatic captions! :) Lots love!

This makes me wonder about the benefits of (relatively) painful engagements such as cold water therapy, weight lifting, etc. They’re proven to improve depression and increase mental well-being. Do these type of things “unload” the down regulated “gremlins” from the seesaw allowing for a quicker path to homeostasis?

‘Pleasure and Pain work like a balance in the Brain’ ‘The parts of the brain that process pleasure also process pain’

I have tried weaning myself off, seems I can get to a certain level but no more. There are days that I I will take more, but for the most part I'm staying around the same amount daily

Great podcast and have just bought the book 👍

This video is full of good information and practical solutions.

I am a sugar addict. I started over eating when my father died 20 yrs ago, but I had it under control until 10 yrs ago. I had a serious situation happen. Sugar comforts my brain. Over a yr ago I started Keto so I stopped sugar. I still can't look at photo of cakes, cookies etc without wanting to shovel into my mouth. I find you give up one addiction and pick up another. Nothing has changed. I've I have to stop the pain that I'm feeling and I will play a game for hours. I don't drink or smoke. I use SM but that really is diminishing. I hate looking at emails and I have tons. Something really happened 10 yrs ago that did something to my brain. Very high stress situation happened and no matter how much mediation I take it just doesn't help.

Excellent ! ❤

🤓 This interview is one of best I’ve ever heard on this subject,… I had a dopamine release just watching !! Thank you for your continued service & enlightening videos ~ you are truly making a difference in the world ✨

Omg I've been saying for so long, why are all the healthy things so painful but you feel happier and get a release of pleasure after doing them....BECAUSE WE NEED THE BALANCE!!! The more convenient things become, like food, travel, entertainment, physical pleasure, the more unhealthier society will be because we aren't feeling the pain to get to that pleasure.

This is very informative and eye opening!! Thank you!

An admirable Conversation