GET HIGH ON LIFE

Say goodbye to quick digital dopamine fixes and hello to natural mood boosters that last

In need of a pick-me-up? If your first instinct is to jump on Facebook or binge a boxset on Netflix for a much-needed buzz, then you might be in need of a dopamine detox.

Getting your daily high on your phone or TV may give you an instant boost, but it's unlikely to provide long-term fulfilment. It's time to swap fleeting pleasure for a more purposeful life.

The pathway to pleasure

Dopamine is the so-called reward chemical made in your brain. It fills us with a sense of satisfaction after completing certain tasks, it's most notably involved in helping us to feel pleasure as part of the brain's reward system, and it rises in response to those rewards, encouraging us to seek gratification. This feel-good neurotransmitter is also involved in reinforcement. While this can promote positive habits, we can get stuck in a loop of constant stimulation, says holistic health coach Claudia Dumond, founder of wellbeing website weareminimondo.​com. 'This happens when we indulge in activities that provide instant gratification, like social media, video games or binge-watching TV shows-leading to a cycle of seeking more.'

The pitfalls of excess

When we get too much of a good thing, it has a detrimental effect on us.' Excessive dopamine release can desensitise our brain's reward system, making everyday activities less enjoyable and leading to difficulty focusing, increased anxiety and lower mood,' says Claudia. 'It's like eating too many sweets - it feels great at first, but soon you feel sick and crave more sugar.'

If you regularly scroll through a barrage of social media posts or become obsessed with reaching goals on an online game, you run the risk of breaking down this neurotransmitter too fast. The result? You need hit after hit to experience the same high, and it's this that can affect your mental and physical health.