Can you really “hack” your dopamine? | Hyperfocus

It sometimes feels like the more complicated a subject is, the more inclined people are to oversimplify. If your social media feeds are anything like mine, that’s definitely the case. Especially when it comes to science. One of those often-oversimplified things is dopamine. The neurotransmitter, or brain chemical, has become a target for catchy headlines promising new ways to “hack your dopamine.” Seriously. If you don’t believe me, type in “dopamine hacks” on Youtube and enjoy the endless scroll. This week on Hyperfocus, we take a deep dopamine dive with psychologist Dr. Ari Tuckman and sort out fact from fiction. For a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus page on Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/podcast... Related resources Video: Dyscalculia, dyslexia, and genetics https://www.understood.org/en/article... Can genetic testing help me find the right ADHD medication? https://www.understood.org/en/article... Is ADHD hereditary? https://www.understood.org/en/article... Timestamps 00:00 Intro 03:01 What is dopamine? 08:48 How do dopamine and ADHD relate? 16:56 The truth behind dopamine “hacks” 25:23 What a clinician wishes we knew