Dopamine Fasting: What It Is, What It Is For And How It Affects Us
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced in our brain that influences various functions such as behavior, motivation, motor activity, learning and, of course, reward, which is the pleasure we feel when we achieve something, playing a very important role. important in addictions.
Dopamine fasting is a practice that has become fashionable among workers in large companies in the technology sector in Silicon Valley and consists of giving up all kinds of electronic devices, such as mobile phones and browsing through internet with the aim of reducing the dopamine rushes in the brain that this generates.
In this article we will see what the controversial dopamine fast consists of as well as its possible benefits and drawbacks.
People who practice dopamine fasting normally seek to break the addiction caused by certain behaviors, such as the excessive use of mobile phones and social networks, because it has been found that dopamine plays an essential role in this addiction, as well as in the rest of addictions, since all addictions cause an increase in the activity of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system
And any type of substance that causes addiction activates mechanisms in the brain similar to a natural reward (for example, sex or food), increasing the release of that neurotransmitter, which is dopamine, in the regions of the limbic system this being the reason why the dopaminergic system is called, in part, the brain reward system.
It is also known that dopamine has a great influence on the processing of information that is linked to reward in the brain, with dopamine mainly fulfilling two functions: helping in the learning process that is related to reward and also helping to remember. on both occasions that stimulus that is associated with said reward.
However, When the brain has learned the response that is most efficient to obtain a reward, it no longer needs dopamine and, for this reason, it stops segregating in the face of said reward or similar ones, this being the reason why the stimuli and rewards that are already familiar to us stop interesting us so much and make us look for new experiences that motivate and excite us.
This could be the reason why one seeks to be continually stimulated; which explains the increase in addiction to the Internet and social networks, where new news and publications continually appear. For this reason, dopamine fasting could help reduce this constant increase in dopamine, thus seeking to reset the brain and the reward system.
What is dopamine fasting?
There is quite a consensus that it was the psychologist Cameron Sepah, professor at the University of California (San Francisco), who coined the term “dopamine fast”, this being known as the decision made by some people of give up, at least for a time, the use of all kinds of networks, services and also digital devices (for example, checking web pages, emails and social networks, using video game consoles, mobile phones).
Dopamine fasting has achieved great popularity worldwide because it has been widely practiced in Silicon Valley (California), the place where a large part of the large companies in the technology sector have their headquarters (for example, Apple, Netflix , Facebook, Google, HP, LinkedIn, Intel, Yahoo, Adobe, Ebay, among others).
Because its workers, being in large technology companies, They are continually connected to different electronic devices to do their work in addition to continually engineering new ways to grow and innovate in this sector.
For this reason, when they have free time, such as rest days or vacations, they have made dopamine fasting fashionable, dispensing with electronic devices and Internet connection from a day they have a break at work and even being able to practice this fast. for several days when they are on vacation.
What is the goal when doing a dopamine fast?
The fundamental objective of dopamine fasting would be to reduce the levels of dopamine secreted in the brain to get out of the vicious circle that addiction to the use of electronic devices and the Internet connection can become seeking in this way to be more relaxed, focused on the present moment and thus being more aware of one’s own environment.
There is a more radical way to practice this dopamine fast that consists of giving up all kinds of activities that could cause a dopamine rush, no matter how small, such as playing sports, eating appetizing foods, sex, including kisses and caresses, being This radical way of practicing dopamine fasting is likely to do more harm than good, because Anything taken to any extreme, in the long term, can be very harmful to health
Reasonable time to practice it
In the case of choosing to practice dopamine fasting, its practice time varies depending on the personal circumstances of each person; and with personal circumstances, we refer to the level of addiction you have to the use of electronic devices and the Internet, the need to use them for work reasons, the requirements to be fully concentrated on a task of any type, the motivation you have. to practice it or any personal reason that has led the person to make this decision.
Dopamine fasting could be practiced from a few hours to days although the risks of practicing it for too long will be explained later.
Refraining from using these devices for a few hours could be useful for those people who are constantly consulting their mobile phone to respond to WhatsApp, email, view posts on social networks, read new news on Twitter, etc. In this way, this abuse of the mobile phone can interfere with other more important tasks such as study, work or face-to-face social relations, so it would be useful to try not to look at this device while practicing any activity of this type.
Criticisms of dopamine fasting
There are researchers who claim that dopamine fasting is not a panacea as it is currently being sold through various media outlets, since there are no solid studies that demonstrate the benefits or changes in dopamine levels when highs of this neurotransmitter are given up for a certain period of time. one, two or even four weeks, as some people have come to practice.
Dopamine fasting has also not been shown to be more beneficial than trying to gradually reduce the use of electronic devices and Internet browsing until reaching a moderate use that does not harm people’s health and lifestyle.
In the case of those who take drastic measures during dopamine fasting, such as giving up more natural behaviors, such as having a tasty snack or playing sports, They are giving up many of life’s pleasures and activities that have proven long-term benefits for health and longevity
Therefore, a dopamine fast may only be helpful if used on a one-time basis (e.g., on a day off from work, when you go on a short trip with your family, or on a day when you’re away from work). need to perform some activity that requires a lot of concentration in order to avoid distractions).
However, this depends on each person, since in many cases, taking such a drastic measure can generate a lot of anxiety in the person who practices it and cause them to be continually distracted, thinking about using their mobile phone in case a message has arrived. or important call. In these cases a rebound effect is likely to occur so that when resuming the use of electronic devices the number of hours of handling may increase, so practicing it would be contraindicated.
You may be interested: “The 5 benefits of fasting (for your body and mind)”
Alternatives to dopamine fasting
It is likely that a healthier alternative to practicing a prolonged dopamine fast is learn to use these devices in a more organized way without abusing them so that they do not boycott the present moment and without giving them up, so that they can be used at certain times of the day when this does not interfere with other more essential things in life such as spending time with family, partner and friends.
The reasonable use of electronic devices and social networks must have a measure in which it does not ruin the opportunity to be connected with the present moment or with the context that surrounds us, being able to enjoy places like those we can find around us..
In the end, as in all areas, the healthy thing is to find the right measure to get the most out of everything, without interfering in other equally or even more important areas.
