What is Digital 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. Think of it as all the taps, scrolls, notifications, and attention grabbing content you engage with — all of these little things can trigger the little dopamine 'hit.'
Dopamine is one of the main reasons we are addicted to our phones. It's a form of what many call “digital dopamine” — giving you a small burst of pleasure that leaves you wanting more.
Example: 10 minutes of social media = ~300 digital dopamine hits
Our brains are so over-stimulated by Digital Dopamine that many of us have a hard time being present, and enjoying the real world. Lowering Digital Dopamine creates more space to enjoy the little things in life.
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 “digital dopamine” with all the taps, swipes, notifications, and comments.
What are the effects of too much “Digital 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
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
How can you reduce your Digital Dopamine?
Using the Roots app can help you be more mindful of your digital dopamine intake by:
Tracking your Digital Dopamine Hits per app
Setting better intentions
Creating app limits you can't skip
Scheduling digital downtime
Tracking your daily balance score
Click here to learn more about our Digital Dopamine Hits feature