Dopamine
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The Surprising Power of Spontaneity | Valerie McTavish | TEDxKalamalka Lake
TEDx Talks· 2025-11-11 17:40
[Applause] [Music] All right, here's what we're going to do. Heads we go north, tails we go south. That coin flip launched a camping trip that changed my life.We had all of the camping gear packed up in the car. We had the entire long weekend free. What we didn't have was a plan.It was a little unusual for us. We were both media producers, so we were used to keeping a schedule down to the second. But there we were all packed up, nowhere to go.So, we flipped a coin and that freed us up. We could do anything. ...
X @The Economist
The Economist· 2025-11-03 09:40
Proponents imagine that dopamine is the “pleasure molecule”; a finite resource that can be exhausted by overuse.That is not how dopamine works https://t.co/D8NONVzLcV ...
X @The Economist
The Economist· 2025-11-02 09:40
Neuroscience Insights - Dopamine plays a crucial role in learning and movement, beyond just reward [1] - Complete "detoxing" from dopamine would be detrimental [1]
X @The Economist
The Economist· 2025-11-01 13:40
Popular among Silicon Valley types, the idea is to abstain from quick-hit rewards in the hope of rediscovering simpler pleasures. That is not, however, how dopamine works https://t.co/qRqXnihCHm ...
The Science of Burnout — And How Your Brain Rebuilds You! | Agastya Sharma | TEDxYouth@JGIS
TEDx Talks· 2025-10-17 15:47
So, imagine living in a room with no windows, no sunlight, no fresh air, no way to tell if it's morning or midnight. At first, you think you'll adapt. You breathe the stale air.You keep working. You keep going. You tell yourself it's fine.But after a while, something strange happens. You stop noticing. Time pass.You forget how it felt to feel motivated. You don't crash. You just fade.And that's what burnout is. After my IGCSC exams, I thought the hardest part was over. But I didn't realize how deeply burned ...
The potential of the adolescent brain | Anagha Hamsala | TEDxMcfarren Boulevard Youth
TEDx Talks· 2025-10-07 16:50
Neuroscience of Adolescence - Adolescence is a unique window of opportunity due to increased neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself and form new neural connections [2][5] - During teenage years, brains are most adaptable, primed for learning and growth, but also highly susceptible to negative influences [5] - Environments directly impact brain growth, highlighting the importance of harnessing neuroplasticity to focus, adapt, and thrive [6] - Neuroscience reveals adolescence is about brains actively shaping who individuals become, with neuroplasticity at its peak [7] Enhancing Focus and Habits - Exercise and mindfulness produce brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports neurogenesis, the production of new neurons [8] - Neuroplasticity thrives on challenge, novelty, and even failure, as brains form new connections in uncomfortable situations [8][9] - Focus is about saying yes to the right things, activating the prefrontal cortex, the brain's CEO responsible for decision making and planning [10][11] - Small achievements release dopamine, the brain's feel-good neurotransmitter, suggesting breaking down goals into smaller, manageable tasks [12][13] - Multitasking is ineffective; the brain prefers doing one thing well, and switching between tasks leads to lost time and productivity [13][14] - Habit stacking involves pairing a new habit with an existing one to prime the brain for focus and growth [15] Influence of Environment and Social Connections - Individuals mirror the behaviors of those around them due to mirror neurons, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with optimistic and supportive people [17][18] - Being intentional with what one consumes and being an inspiration for others can create a ripple effect of positive influence [19][20]
THIS HACK REWIRES YOUR BRAIN...
The Diary Of A CEO· 2025-10-04 11:57
Alzheimer's Risk Factors - The industry suggests that only 5% of Alzheimer's risk is genetic, with the remaining 95% attributed to environmental factors like air pollution, microplastics, and ultra-processed food [1] - Research indicates a correlation between sweetener consumption and dementia [1] Sugar Consumption and Health - The food industry uses 262 names for sugar to increase product appeal and consumption [2] - Ultra-processed food is associated with dementia, diabetes, cancer, and mental health diseases [3] - 73% of items in American grocery stores contain hidden sugars [2] Dietary Recommendations - The industry advises caution with labeled foods and considers foods with sugar in the first three ingredients as dessert [4] - It's recommended to avoid grocery shopping while hungry [4] Addiction and Remedy - Ultra-processed foods provide a dopamine hit, leading to addiction and biochemical problems [3]
Just One More Episode | Abdelaziz Arbia | TEDxYouth@AKISGEMS
TEDx Talks· 2025-09-29 15:25
Core Argument - The presentation addresses the issue of dopamine addiction among students, highlighting its negative impact on their well-being and academic performance [4][10] - It identifies a domino effect leading to addiction, starting with boredom and progressing through escape and dependence to full-blown addiction [5][7][8][10] Stages of Addiction - Boredom is the initial trigger, making it difficult for students to focus on schoolwork [5][6] - Escape follows, where individuals turn to detrimental habits like excessive phone use (over 3 hours a day) to avoid unpleasant tasks [7] - Dependence develops as individuals feel something is wrong if they don't engage in the addictive behavior [8] - Addiction is the final and most dangerous stage, leading to negative self-perception and potentially requiring professional help [10][11][12] Solutions and Support - The presentation emphasizes that overcoming addiction is possible and that individuals are not alone [13] - Seeking help from friends, teachers, or specialists is encouraged [12][13] - Staying in a state of weakness and succumbing to the domino effect is discouraged [12]
The Protective Power of Love in Your Brain | Juan Dominguez | TEDxUTAustin
TEDx Talks· 2025-09-23 15:04
Neuroscience & Addiction - The brain's dopamine system is activated by both naturally rewarding behaviors (like love and social bonding) and drugs of abuse, but drugs create artificial highs that are much stronger than natural rewards [16][17] - Drugs like cocaine can increase dopamine levels by 400-500%, approximately 20 times larger than the 25-35% increase observed with ejaculation, and lead to a prolonged dopamine depletion and a state of apathy [18][19][20] - Oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone," plays a crucial role in social bonding and can counteract the effects of stress and reduce cravings for drugs [23] - Stress is a major factor that can trigger relapse or substance use disorder [28] - Love and support from loved ones provide natural levels of dopamine and oxytocin, potentially minimizing the yearning to seek other sources of dopamine, such as illicit drugs [30][31] Social Impact & Protective Factors - Unconditional love and support can act as a protective factor against falling into negative patterns, potentially shaping the brain in ways that protect against certain risk-taking behaviors [3][10] - Oxytocin administration has been shown to reduce response to stressful stimuli, decrease cortisol levels (a marker of stress response), and decrease anxiety during social stress tests [24][25] - Oxytocin can decrease activity in the amygdala, the part of the brain that regulates fear, in the presence of stressful stimuli [26] - Love and support should be used as one mitigating factor in the battle against substance use disorder [32]