You might have heard about something called the Dopamine detox. This is a trend that started back in 2018. The trend deals with some of our most common daily addictions and trying to “reduce” the dopamine levels it gives us. Well, there’s a reason why there are quotations next to the word reduce, and that is because we can’t necessarily reduce our dopamine. So, what is the actual point of this?
We’re going to get into the point of the dopamine detox and how it might help people with ADHD. This is a topic widely looked at, and if you are someone with ADHD or have a child with ADHD, you might be interested in the benefits of this detox. Let’s get right into it.
What is Dopamine Detox?
The name Dopamine detox is kind of controversial, and that is because you can’t really detox from dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that we all need to function properly. So, for the rest of the blog, let’s use the more accepted name Dopamine Fasting. This term makes a little more sense in terms of the process and we’ll get into that.
So, what is dopamine fasting?
This is when you take away something that gives you a dopamine rush. These are compulsive behaviors that you know are taking time away from your day, affecting you negatively, or interfering with your happiness. To be more specific, there are six common compulsive behaviors that people are addicted to, and dopamine fuels these unhealthy and sometimes harmful stimuli. These behaviors include:
- Eating
- Excessive Internet Usage
- Gaming, Gambling, & Shopping
- Porn & Masturbation
- Thrill & Novelty Seeking
- Recreational Drugs
Fasting pays attention to your specific addiction and allows you to face it head-on.
Dopamine and the Detox Fast
The creator of the dopamine fast is Dr. Cameron Sepah, a psychiatrist in California. Many are mistaking his fasting technique as a tolerance break, but it shouldn’t be taken this way. If you take something away cold turkey, but you go back to it, the addiction becomes stronger than before and defeats the purpose. So, what are you supposed to do?
Dr. Sepah intended for us to focus on our impulsive behaviors and find a way to reduce them. As mentioned before you cannot reduce dopamine, but what you can do is reduce the urge you have towards a certain behavior. In the end, it’s about managing that behavior to something healthy.
How to Properly Dopamine Detox
- Identify the behaviors that are causing your addictiveness.
- Follow a dopamine schedule that is perfect for you.
The best way to effectively complete the fast is by using the routine & reward replacement strategy. Let’s use the most common example, the phone. Many of us pick up our phones as soon as we hear a notification. In addition, many of us are addicted to certain apps on our phones. When we hear or see a notification from this app, we end up being on there for more than we need.
In this case, the first thing to do is identify the addiction. For example. let’s say the addition is Instagram. You find yourself picking up your phone when you need a break or out of impulse and scrolling on Instagram for hours. The next step would be creating a schedule for when you can get on Instagram. It’s important to be realistic with yourself and stick to the schedule.
So, let’s say that you allow yourself to get on Instagram for 15 minutes every hour. When you see yourself start to reach for your phone and recognize that it’s not a part of your schedule and you make the conscious decision to put the phone down.
You figured out your behavior, which is your routine, and replaced it with a healthier option. You’ll notice that you get a proud feeling when you stick to your schedule, and this is your reward. Eventually, you’ll see that this reduces the craving you have to reach for your phone.
ADHD: The Basics
Now that you understand how dopamine fasting works, let’s look into ADHD. First, we need to understand ADHD. ADHD stands for attention-deficit/ hyperactive disorder, also known as ADD. It starts when the person is a child, but the symptoms do not subside as they reach adolescence and adulthood.
People with ADHD have difficulty focusing and maintaining attention and have episodes of hyperactivity that interfere with their daily lifestyle. There is a lot of uncertainty about what causes ADHD, some causes that have been investigated over the years. This is where dopamine comes in.
ADHD & It’s Correlation to Dopamine
Scientists, over the years, have seen a correlation between ADHD and dopamine levels, but to be more specific dopamine transporter levels. Dopamine regulates our emotional response to events and situations. The transporters take this chemical into our cells and allow us to enjoy it. People who have ADHD have high dopamine transporters and low dopamine levels.
So, the consequence of this is that the brain doesn’t keep the dopamine for as long as it’s needed to satisfy itself. This causes a loss of attention, procrastination, and episodes of hyperactivity. You’ll also find that they look for activities that provide them the most amount of dopamine in the least amount of time, and this is what causes the “addiction” like feeling to simple things.
How is ADHD Treated?
So, when it comes to treatment there is the use of medication in the form of stimulants. These medications work by increasing dopamine levels. This way, the body, and brain are able to process it as a “normal” brain would. In addition, many can participate in behavioral therapy, which helps in recognizing hyperactive actions and allows them to work on them.
Does Dopamine Fasting Really Help With ADHD?
So, does dopamine fasting really help those with ADHD? The answer to this depends on the person. But fasting, if done correctly, can be of help. For children and adults, it’s best to keep a schedule that is easy to follow, find the triggers that take time away from work or school, and explore healthier replacements.
Finding a realistic balance is the best way to go about dopamine fasting, and anyone can try it out. If you decide to go on a dopamine fast/detox, leave us a comment, we would love to hear how it went.
