Dopamine fasting: what it is, what it is for and how it affects us

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced in our brain that influence various functions such as behavior, motivation, activity motor skills, learning and, of course, in the reward, which is the pleasure we feel when we achieve something, playing a very important role in the 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 the mobile phone and browsing the internet with the aim of reducing the dopamine surges in the brain that this generate.

In this article we will see what the controversial dopamine fasting consists of, as well as its possible benefits and drawbacks.

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Influence of dopamine in any type of addiction

People who practice dopamine fasting usually seek to break the addiction produced by certain behaviors, such as excessive use of mobile phones and social networks, because dopamine has been found to play 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 dopamine system.

And is that 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 fulfilling two functions Mainly: helping in the learning process that is related to the reward and also helping to remember on each occasion that stimulus that is associated with said reward reward.

But nevertheless, when the brain has learned the most efficient response to obtain a reward, it stops needing dopamine and, for that reason, stops segregating before said reward or the like, this being the reason why the stimuli and rewards that are already familiar to us cease to interest us so much and make us look for new experiences that motivate us and emotions.

This could be the reason why you seek to be continuously stimulated; which explains the increase in addiction to the Internet and social networks, where news and novel publications continually appear. For this reason, fasting dopamine could help reduce that constant increase in dopamine, thus seeking to reset the brain and the reward system.

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What is dopamine fasting?

There is considerable consensus that it was the psychologist Cameron Sepah, a professor at the University of California (San Francisco), who coined the term "dopamine fasting", this being known as the decision made by some people from renounce, at least for a time, the use of all kinds of networks, services and also digital devices (for example, consult web pages, emails and social networks, use of video consoles, mobile phone).

Dopamine fasting has reached great popularity worldwide because it has been widely practiced in Silicon Valley (California), the place where they have their headquarters a large part of the large companies in the technology sector (for example, Apple, Netflix, Facebook, Google, HP, LinkedIn, Intel, Yahoo, Adobe, Ebay, among others).

Because their workers, being in large technology companies, they are continuously connected to different electronic devices to carry out their work, in addition to continually inventing new ways to grow and innovate in this sector.

For this reason, when they have free time, such as rest days or vacations, dopamine fasting has become fashionable, dispensing with electronic devices and Internet connection from a day when they have rest at work and can even practice this fast for several days when they are at work. holidays.

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What is the goal of doing a dopamine fast?

The primary goal of dopamine fasting would be to decrease the levels of dopamine secreted in the brain to get out of the vicious circle into which addiction to the use of electronic devices and Internet connection can become, thus seeking to be more relaxed, focused on the present moment and thus being more aware of the environment itself.

There is a more radical way to practice this dopamine fast, which is to give up all kinds of activities that could cause a dopamine high, no matter how small, such as playing sports, eating appetizing foods, sex, including kisses and caresses, this radical form of fasting is likely to be more harmful than beneficial, because anything that is taken to any extreme, in the long term, can be very harmful to health.

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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 that you have to the handling of electronic devices and the internet, to the need to use them for work reasons, to the requirements to be fully focused on a task of any kind, the motivation you have to practice it or any personal reason that has led the person to take this decision.

Dopamine fasting could be practiced from a few hours to days, although the risks of spending too much time practicing it will be explained later.

Refraining from using these devices for a few hours could be helpful for those who are continually consulting the mobile phone to respond to WhatsApp, email, view publications on social networks, read new news on twitter, etc. so this abuse of the mobile phone can interfere in other more important tasks such as study, work or relationships face-to-face social activities, so it would be useful to take care not to look at this device while doing any exercise activity. this type.

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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, as there are no solid studies to demonstrate the benefits or changes in levels of dopamine when the highs of this neurotransmitter are given up for a certain time of one, two or even four weeks, as some have come to practice persons.

Dopamine fasting has also not been shown to be more beneficial than trying to taper off the devices. electronic devices and Internet browsing to moderate use that does not harm the health and lifestyle of the persons.

In the case of those who take drastic measures during the dopamine fast, such as giving up more natural behaviors, such as having a tasty snack or playing sports, are giving up many life pleasures and activities that have shown great benefits for health and longevity in the long run.

Therefore, a dopamine fast may only be useful if it is used in a timely manner (e.g., a day off from work, when traveling with the family for a short time or a day in which you need to carry out an activity that requires a lot of concentration in order to avoid distractions).

However, that depends on each one, since in many cases, taking such a drastic measure can generate a lot of anxiety in the person who does it. practice and keep her constantly distracted, thinking about using her mobile phone in case a message or call has arrived important. In these cases a rebound effect is likely, so that when you resume the use of electronic devices, the number of hours of use can increase, so it would be contraindicated to practice it.

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Alternatives to dopamine fasting

A healthier alternative to doing a dopamine fast for a long time is likely to be learn to use these devices in a more organized way, without abusing them so that they do not boycott the present moment and without renouncing them, so that they can be resorted to in 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 media should be to an extent that it also 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 the ones we can find at our around.

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 equal or even more important areas.