What is Cheap Dopamine?

Using our phones causes the release of dopamine in our brain. It's the little burst of “pleasure” you feel each time you get a new notification. Dopamine is one of the main reasons we are addicted to our phones. It's a form of what many call “cheap dopamine” — giving you a small burst of pleasure that leaves you wanting more.

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Example‍

10 minutes of social media = ~350 cheap dopamine hits

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Our brains are so over-stimulated by Cheap Dopamine that many of us have a hard time being present, and enjoying the real world. Lowering Cheap Dopamine creates more space to enjoy the little things in life.

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But, isn't Dopamine a good thing?

Dopamine can be a good thing when it's tied to healthy things like exercise, sunlight, sleep, and social interactions — but we are being overloaded with this “cheap dopamine” with all the taps, swipes, notifications, and comments.

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What are the effects of too much “Cheap Dopamine”?

Physical symptoms can include:

• Brain fog
• Memory issues
• Muscle cramps
• Memory problems
• Digestion issues
• Sleep issues
• Feeling tired and lethargic
• Lower sex drive
• Loss of coordination

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Emotional symptoms can include:

• Lack of motivation
• Lack of focus
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Lack of self-control
• Lowered self-esteem
• Less pleasure from things you used to enjoy
• Aggression
• Addiction

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How can you reduce your Cheap Dopamine?

Using the Roots app can help you be more mindful of your cheap dopamine intake by:

• Setting better intentions
• Creating app limits you can't skip
• Scheduling digital downtime
• Tracking your daily balance score