Molly Watts
Molly Watts, Author & Coach
Think Thursday: The Neuroscience of Joy vs. Pleasure
Think Thursday: The Neuroscience of Joy vs. Pleasure
Think Thursday: The Neuroscience of Joy vs. Pleasure
Thursday 23rd October 2025
Explore the difference between joy and pleasure in this episode, and learn how understanding these can help change your relationship with alcohol.
10 minutes
Informative
Inspiring
Encouraging
Hopeful
Educational
About this podcast
Author:
Molly Watts
Overview:
Categories:
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Creative Recovery Journeys
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Episodes:
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Get the buttons here!Joy vs. Pleasure: Understanding Your Brain's Reward System
Episode Overview
- Pleasure is short-lived and driven by dopamine; joy is sustainable and meaning-based.
- Understanding the brain's reward system can aid in lasting behaviour change.
- Practising gratitude and connection can help cultivate joy.
- 'Joy spotting' is a simple exercise to find joy in everyday life.
- Joy is about engaging with life, not escaping it.
"Pleasure is about escape. Joy is about engagement."
Curious about how your brain distinguishes between joy and pleasure? Molly Watts takes you on a fascinating journey through the neuroscience behind these two seemingly similar emotions. While pleasure is that quick dopamine hit from external sources like a sweet treat or a social media like, joy is the deeper, more sustainable feeling that comes from within. It’s about engaging with life meaningfully rather than escaping from it.
Molly explains how our reward system is naturally wired for instant gratification but emphasises the importance of cultivating joy for lasting behaviour change, especially when it comes to alcohol use. Molly shares practical tips for accessing joy more frequently, such as savouring positive moments, practising genuine gratitude, and connecting with others. She also introduces the concept of 'joy spotting,' a delightful exercise where you notice small, uplifting things in your environment.
Imagine spotting a rainbow-coloured crosswalk or a dog joyfully sticking its head out of a car window—these are the moments that can lift your spirits effortlessly. Whether you're looking to change your relationship with alcohol or just want to understand your brain better, this episode offers valuable insights into making joy a more significant part of your life. So, what's one small moment of joy you can spot today?