205. Dopamine Nation | Dr. Anna Lembke205. Dopamine Nation | Dr. Anna Lembke
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
Drug hijack your dopamine. Dopamine is a neurochemical we need to live. We need it like oxygen and water. Without it, people feel they are dying. Anna Lembke, MD is professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. A clinician scholar, she is the author of more than a hundred peer-reviewed publications, has testified before the United States House of Representatives and Senate, has served as an expert witness in federal and state opioid litigation, and is an internationally recognized leader in addiction medicine treatment and education. In 2016, she published Drug Dealer, MD – How Doctors Were Duped, Patients Got Hooked, and Why It’s So Hard to Stop (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2016), highlighted in the New York Times as one of the top five books to read to understand the opioid epidemic (Zuger, 2018). Dr. Lembke appeared in the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, an unvarnished look at the impact of social media on our lives. Her latest book, Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence (Dutton/Penguin Random House, August 2021) was an instant New York Times and Los Angeles Times bestseller and has been translated into 35 languages. It combines the neuroscience of addiction with the wisdom of recovery to explore the problem of compulsive overconsumption in a dopamine-overloaded world.
57:30•25 Nov 2024
Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Dopamine and Addiction with Dr. Anna Lembke
Episode Overview
- Dopamine is crucial for pleasure and reward but can be hijacked by addictive substances.
- Addiction creates a cycle where more substance is needed just to feel normal.
- Understanding root causes is essential for effective treatment.
- Behavioural addictions like social media can also impact dopamine levels.
- Comprehensive approaches are needed for successful recovery.
“Addiction is a disease. It does not constitute a life worth living.”
In this engaging episode of High Truths on Drugs and Addiction, Dr. Roneet Lev sits down with Dr. Anna Lembke, a renowned psychiatrist and addiction expert from Stanford University. The conversation dives into the intricate world of dopamine, a vital neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward, and how it plays a central role in addiction. Dr.
Lembke explains how addictive substances can hijack the brain's dopamine system, leading to a vicious cycle where users need more of the substance just to feel normal. She shares personal anecdotes and professional experiences, highlighting the challenges and breakthroughs in treating addiction. From her journey in psychiatry to becoming a leading voice in addiction medicine, Dr. Lembke's insights are both enlightening and relatable.
This episode also touches on the broader implications of addiction, including the impact of social media and other behavioural addictions. Dr. Lev and Dr. Lembke discuss the importance of understanding the root causes of addiction and the need for comprehensive treatment approaches. With a mix of humour and deep empathy, this episode offers hope and practical advice for those struggling with addiction or supporting loved ones through recovery.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how dopamine influences addiction and learn about the latest advancements in addiction treatment.
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