We Homo Sapiens are notorious for avoiding pain and seeking pleasure. In fact, we have transformed the planet from a place of scarcity to a place of overwhelming abundance, with ample opportunities to flood our brains with dopamine at every turn. But over-consuming has consequences: Exposure to prolonged and repeated pleasurable stimuli decreases our capacity to tolerate pain and increases our threshold for experiencing pleasure.  On today's show: Resetting your neural set point to make dopamine work FOR you, not against you. Here's a preview: [3:00] Here's exactly why our brains aren't designed to work optimally in our 2024 world of pleasure [7:00] Measuring the dopamine-induced addictive potential of various foods, habits, and drugs [10:00] What goes up must come down: Here's what opponent process theory means for you and your brain [14:00] Quantifying leisure time from the Civil War to present day [24:00] Dopamine fasts work! Here's how to recalibrate your brain [28:00] How to best lean into a bit of pain (and why you may want to) Resources mentioned: Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance In The Age Of Indulgence (by Dr. Anna Lembke) Episode #316: Moderation In All Things Episode #299: Future-Conscious Thinking This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube. Say hello! [email protected]. Our Sponsors: * Thank you to Equilibria! Use code SUSTAINABLE for 15% off sitewide: http://www.myeq.com * Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/ * Thank you to My Life In A Book! Use code SUSTAINABLE at checkout for 10% off. https://www.mylifeinabook.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy