Something that has been on my mind recently is the apparent dopamine deficiency and lack of motivation that an increasing number of people experience. It seems to be mostly resistant to dopamine supplements and has been quite a conundrum.
I think there are several issues here. One of them is dopamine desensitisation from living in an overstimulated world of social media, constant news updates, video games and so forth. The other related issue is the availability of instant gratification – purchases that arrive tomorrow, a pill for everything, instant facts and so forth.
Dopamine levels are best steadily maintained and reach their optimal levels by working towards a goal or desire, and then on its attainment working steadfastly towards another. This maintains a kind of high that cannot be achieved by having everything now. Thus the enjoyment that people can get from meaningful work. The dopamine issue is of course implicated in addiction.
This entertaining video highlights the issue and explains the benefits of a ‘dopamine detox’.