stimulus/reward pathways in the brain, can result in
“anhedonia,” or a pathological inability to sense or
experience pleasure toward things that we previously found
enjoyable. But there is a solution: absence makes the
dopamine receptor grow fonder.
Buddhist monks have known for centuries that
abstention provides a means of stepping off the hedonic
treadmill. Any prolonged reduction of dopamine release will
cause an upregulation of receptors, thus increasing
sensitivity to dopamine. While asceticism may not work for
everyone, taking a deliberate “time-out” from otherwise
dopamine-reinforcing habits—technology usage, for
example—can be an incredibly effective way of boosting
motivation, reestablishing healthy relationships, and
enhancing overall happiness.
Not ready to totally unplug? Try this simple happiness
hack for a week: make a rule of no computers, e-mails, or
texts for one hour after waking up, and the same one hour
before bedtime. As your system resets, you may be inclined
to stick with it.
Optimizing Dopamine
Dopamine is made in the brain from the amino acid
tyrosine, and as with other neurotransmitters, the building
blocks are usually readily available unless a person is
protein deficient. In this sense, a healthy dopaminergic
system may be more a function of our choices and actions
than any nutrient deficiency. Consuming foods that have