For many of us, the word addiction quickly conjures up images of drugs and alcohol. But we’re often slower to apply the term to compulsive, tech-induced behaviors like playing video games, checking social media, or shopping online.

We prefer to think of these pleasure-seeking activities as harmless distractions. Yet they can just as easily lead to addictive behaviors. And with our ever-present smartphones, the chance of mindlessly engaging in these activities, to the point of addiction, are more likely than ever.

That’s why I wanted to talk to Anna Lembke, author of the book, Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence. Anna is a psychiatrist and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic at Stanford University. In this conversation, she uses patient stories to teach us about addiction. She also explains how our lifestyles encourage addictive behaviors. Finally, she shares insights on what we can do.

I found her book to be revelatory and, as strange as this may sound, a real page turner. I also found it to be the resource we can all use to live more healthfully in a pleasure-filled world.

Episode Links

We Have a Dopamine Problem

I’m Addicted to My Phone. How Can I Cut Back?

Constant Craving: How Digital Media Turned Us All into Dopamine Addicts

Judson Brewer on Unwinding Anxiety

The Team

Learn more about host, Gayle Allen, and producer, Rob Mancabelli, here.

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CM 257: Anna Lembke on Our Digital Addictions

Curious Minds at Work