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277: Why the Relentless Pursuit of Pleasure Leads to Pain, Narcissism, and Dopamine Addiction (feat. Dr. Anna Lembke)

Podcast · January 19, 2022

According to our guest today, the relentless pursuit of pleasure leads to pain. And this isn’t hyperbole, it’s science. This week, we’re joined by Dr. Anna Lembke, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. We’re living in a time of unprecedented access to high-reward, high-dopamine stimuli: drugs, food, news, gambling, shopping, gaming, texting, and social media. Dr. Lembke says that “the increased numbers, variety, and potency is staggering. The smartphone is the modern-day hypodermic needle, delivering digital dopamine 24/7 for a wired generation. As such we’ve all become vulnerable to compulsive overconsumption.” So today, Dr. Lembke is going to explain why the relentless pursuit of pleasure leads to pain…and what to do about it.

If you enjoy this episode with Dr. Lembke, I’m sure you’ll also enjoy:
  • 257: Burnout, Managing Energy, and How to Live at Your Best (feat. Carey Nieuwhof)
  • 260: Self-Defeating Behavior, Living a Lie, and the Path to Inner Peace (feat. John Mark Comer)

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Guest Links

Dr. Lembke’s Website | Buy a copy of “Dopamine Nation” on Amazon

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