logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2022
23m 33s

Too much pleasure can lead to addiction....

NPR
About this episode
Dr. Anna Lembke, psychiatrist and author, explains when too much pleasure-triggering dopamine upsets the delicate balance of pleasure and pain our brains need to feel "normal," which can lead to long-term pain and addiction. In today's dopamine-filled world, here's how keep that balance in check.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Today
Quitting is sometimes the right decision. Here's how to know when to walk away
Quitting is often associated with failure. But choosing to walk away from a goal can help you save time, identify what you truly want and create space for other pursuits. This episode, how to evaluate your goal, figure out its cost and know when it's time to throw in the towel. T ... Show More
17m 25s
Sep 10
How to jumpstart your child's financial future
If you're a new or soon-to-be parent, free time is at a premium. And sorting through different investment account options is confusing and time-consuming. On this episode, Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle walks you through different savings methods, from the new Trump accounts, to c ... Show More
18m 55s
Sep 8
Want more intimacy in your relationships? Conflict could help
Conflict is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it’s necessary for close, authentic relationships, says Priya Parker, a conflict resolution facilitator and the author of a new book, The Art of Fighting. But sometimes it can be hard to know if it's worth getting in the weeds wit ... Show More
21m 16s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2021
Finding Balance In A Dopamine Overloaded World with Dr Anna Lembke #222
CAUTION: Includes themes of an adult nature. Do you think you have an addiction, or perhaps an unhealthy relationship with a certain behaviour? It may be a behaviour that you have tried to stop in the past that you keep returning back to despite your best intentions. Well, if you ... Show More
1h 42m
Apr 2025
How to Fix Burnout & Overstimulation — The Dopamine Reset Guide | Dr. Anna Lembke
Dr. Anna Lembke, psychiatrist and addiction specialist, explains how dopamine affects motivation, addiction, and anxiety — and shares science-backed strategies to find balance in a world of instant gratification. Read her book here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho ... Show More
23m 53s
Aug 2021
Anna Lembke, MD on The Neuroscience of Addiction, Dopamine Fasting & The Opioid Crisis
The relentless pursuit of pleasure always leads to pain. As the world evolves from one of scarcity to overabundance, we increasingly orient our lives around the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain—an instinct that has produced a myriad of unprecedented types of addiction, a ... Show More
2h 24m
Nov 2021
How To Reset Your Brain's Dopamine Balance - Anna Lembke - #392
Anna Lembke is a psychiatrist who is Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic at Stanford University and an author. Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in our reward pathway. It tells us when to feel pleasure and pain, it can cause depression and anxiety, and ... Show More
1h 3m
Jan 2025
The Dopamine Expert: Doing This Once A Day Fixes Your Dopamine! What Alcohol Is Really Doing To Your Brain! Your Childhood Shapes Future Addictions!
From smartphones, to sugar, to exercising, the modern world is plagued by dopamine addictions, and Dr Anna Lembke holds the key to breaking free   Dr Anna Lembke is Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dua ... Show More
2h 11m
Nov 2023
"Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence" by Anna Lembke
Today, Dr. Anna Lembke, psychiatrist and author, explores the exciting new scientific discoveries that explain why the relentless pursuit of pleasure leads to pain — and what we can do about it. 
14m 47s
Feb 2023
Dr. Anna Lembke: Between Pleasure and Pain
Are you scrolling on your phone constantly? How badly do you crave that morning cup of coffee? Are you compulsively gambling, drinking, shopping, or even reading romance novels just to fall asleep? The potential for addiction is everywhere in our society, and on this episode of T ... Show More
1h 8m
Oct 2025
Stuck in a Dopamine Loop? How to Break Free from Overstimulation
That quick scroll that turns into hours? It’s not just a bad habit — it’s a dopamine trap. In this episode, Rosie shares insights from Dr. Anna Lembke on how overstimulation rewires the brain, why it leaves us anxious and depleted, and how small mindful resets can help you feel a ... Show More
6m 20s
Oct 2023
Dopamine Nation with Dr. Anna Lembke
Addiction is such a widespread issue in our society but many of us don’t realise it surpasses alcohol, drugs and gambling. Our brains are wired with reward systems controlled by dopamine, and dopamine hits are plentiful in the modern world. With social media, entertainment, our p ... Show More
47m 9s