Dopamine: The Tricks Dopamine Plays on You

Introduction

Hello my friend — thank you once again for choosing Read And Reflect!
In our previous blog, we explored what dopamine is, how it works, and its benefits and downsides. Today, we’re diving deeper into the psychological tricks dopamine plays on you — especially in today’s overstimulating digital world.

This post is inspired by the international bestseller Dopamine Detox by Thibaut Meurisse, a powerful guide to regaining control over your focus and mind.
Let’s get started.

Our Neurotransmitter (Dopamine) Is Being Hijacked

Dopamine is naturally released when we anticipate a reward — this is how our brains evolved to help us survive and stay motivated.
But in the modern world, that same system is being hijacked.

We are constantly triggering dopamine through artificial sources like:

Excessive social media
Binge-watching content
Junk food
Video games
Alcohol
Online shopping

When you can’t go a day without a certain activity, it’s likely you’ve developed a dopamine dependency — and that activity is exploiting your brain’s reward system.

Your Focus Is Your Greatest Asset

Your attention is limited, and companies know this.
That’s why marketers and tech giants spend billions to capture it.

Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook thrive on your dopamine hits. The longer you stay, the more ads you see, and the more money they make.

This is why notifications are so powerful — that little red dot isn’t random. It’s designed to trigger anticipation of a reward and pull you in. But remember: dopamine is released in anticipation of pleasure, not from actual fulfillment.

The Algorithms Know You Too Well

Ever searched for something random and then suddenly started seeing it in your feed? That’s not a coincidence.

Apps use sophisticated recommendation algorithms that show you more of what you engage with:

Pros: You get more content you enjoy.
Cons: It’s easy to fall into a dopamine loop, endlessly watching short videos or reels, unaware of time and the world around you.

The Stimulation Traps: 4 Tricks Your Mind Plays on You

Dopamine doesn’t just affect what you do — it affects how your mind tricks you into staying distracted. Here are the 4 traps from Dopamine Detox that you need to watch out for:

Trick 1: “Returning to work is easy”

Your brain convinces you that you’ll get back to work anytime — just one more video, one more scroll.
But in reality, the more you delay, the harder it becomes to re-focus. Minutes turn into hours, and tasks keep getting pushed back.

Trick 2: “You can do it later”

Another common lie: “You’ll do it later.”
Whether it’s in the evening, tomorrow, or next week — it feels like there’s always more time. But without discipline, this turns into procrastination, and one day, you’ll look back with regret, wondering where the time went.

Trick 3: “Excitement equals fulfillment”

Dopamine gives you short bursts of excitement — but that’s not the same as long-term satisfaction.
You might feel pumped starting a new project, watching a cool video, or getting a like — but those highs don’t last.

True fulfillment comes from doing meaningful things consistently — even when they’re boring or difficult.
Dopamine tricks you into chasing quick highs instead of meaningful growth.

Trick 4: “You’re missing out”

This is the fear that if you don’t check your phone, scroll your feed, or stay updated, you’ll miss something important.
But in truth, you’re not missing out — you’re being manipulated.

This trick keeps you plugged in and distracted from what actually matters — your goals, your peace of mind, and your real life.

Conclusion: Take Back Control

Dopamine isn’t your enemy — but it can be a powerful master if you’re not careful.
It can push you into endless distractions, emotional highs and lows, and keep you stuck in cycles that feel impossible to escape.

But once you become aware of how dopamine works — and how it tricks you — you can start taking back control.

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