“Dopamine fasting” has hit Silicon Valley, with some people in the area striving to reset their dopamine levels by completely abstaining from anything that brings them pleasure: smartphones, social media, Netflix, video games, delicious foods, eye contact during conversations, and — yes — even sex.
I was wondering who would be willing to try this, what your opinion is of it, and what items do you think you would have to restrain from?
Would something like this work if one was on antipsychotics or antidepressants?
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Dopamine Fasting
During certain periods, I've gone weeks without talking to anyone beside the mandatory "Hi." when buying groceries.
This was back when I didn't have a TV for two years, which was wonderful.
One of very few things that came from my addiction to heroin, was my desires for material things.
As a junkie, instead of buying the boxlogo Obey-hoodie or new sneakers, new headset, speakers, bags and shit for my apartment, I did like every junkie does and spent it on junk.
Nowadays, I could pack everything I own into a 110-liter backpack. The only thing I can't fit down there is my guitar and my books.
Except for my clothes, all I own is three moving-boxes of hardbacks and pockets, a beat up acoustic guitar, my laptop, my glasses and my shades.
So material shit wouldn't be a problem.
Each time I've dropped my smartphone, there's a small sigh of relief. Fuck that constant "you-always-need-to-be-reachable-24/7".
And social media - fuck that shit anyways. Since I dropped it (FB, IG, Snap, whatever) in 2015 I've never been happier.
Delicious foods - I spent a year on tuna/chicken/salomon with bulgur, tomatoes, spinach and pesto. Literally EVERYDAY, because it was the cheapest option. I've never been a foodie - I consider it a necessary evil. The time spent cooking and eating could be spent more productively.
Netflix & HBO - relics from being a stoner and sittin' in the couch all day.
Sex wouldn't be a problem either. Longest drought with nothing but my hands is like 1,5 years. Between 27-28 I fucked noone.
But drugs? FUCK. NO. Sobriety is a psychotic state of mind.
Thing is, eventually it's not fasting anymore. Eventually, you realize most of the shit you cling to is nothing but just that, shit.
I suggest detox from society, dropping off the grid - either by self-isolation in your apartment or going all Zarathustra and move into a cave in the mountains.
My apartment looks alot like Rusts in True Detective- I do have legs on my bed though, and there is a painting on the wall, instead of a television.
The hardest part to give up for me would probably be books - I get immense pleasure from reading, so I suppose that releases dopamine aswell, maybe?
How about yourself? What would be hardest for you?