Cheap Dopamine is Killing Our Society: Why You're The Only Solution
After over 10 years of reflecting on this, I've decided to compile my findings and solutions into one essay
You may think you already know everything about this.
So why click on this essay and read then?
Because deep down you know that awareness is not enough.
You know that the problem hasn’t been solved.
You also know that if nothing is done about this, it’s only going to get worse.
And an even smaller group of people know that no one is really coming to save them.
So does this mean we’re just all doomed and we should submit to the way things are?
No, that would be your fight or flight brain overreacting.
Instead, from a calmer place, we can realize that we are the only ones who can slowly re-route the world that we live in—and it starts with us.
Even if the majority of the world chooses to get hijacked by technology and cheap dopamine, we don’t have to choose to live that way.
The Trap of "More"
But why not just go with the flow?
Because honestly? It’s miserable.
Ask yourself, is it really satisfying to just continue complicating life with:
More Gadgets
More Rules
More Expectations
Is this path working? Is life getting easier? Better?
We can all feel the grip tightening around us, and it will continue to tighten.
Because if you look at history, that’s essentially how humans believe they’re “making things better.”
But more complicated doesn’t necessarily mean better:
More complicated technology to “stay connected.”
More complex rules, certifications, and hoops to jump through for business.
More complex stuff to “enjoy life more.”
The fact is: If it worked, we would all feel better than we do now.
We wouldn’t look at pictures from the 50s-80s and wish we were there again.
But we continue to block those feelings out and just “try to adapt” in this mainstream society, even though we’re well aware it’s killing us.
If the current situation of our world overall isn’t a strong proven example that “More ≠ Better,” I don’t know what is.
Looking Back, The Past Was Actually Gold
Think back to 10 years ago.
I bet that seems like a pretty sweet time compared to now.
$20 an hour actually wasn’t a bad wage. Now it’s garbage.
A head of broccoli at the supermarket is as much as a Big Mac at McDonald's.
What do you think people earning a struggling wage are going to choose to buy to feed their families?
I don’t blame them.
Now, go back 20–30 years, to the times where we all played outside and didn’t have numbed dopamine receptors—where the majority of us could actually feel joy without excessive shopping, social media, porn, gambling, podcasts, and videos constantly in front of us.
Sure, life wasn’t perfect back then, but it was a hell of a lot better than it is now for the greater majority.
Why are suicide rates at an all-time high now?
What is the universe really trying to tell us?
The Universe Actually Has A Message For Us
I’ve been reflecting on how the world has been evolving for years, and I’d like to present you with something I found fascinating.
What if the universe isn’t against us?
Instead of thinking that the universe is trying to punish us, what if we reframe our thinking and realize that it’s trying to communicate a message to us—that we’re going down the wrong path.
What if it’s a loving warning, begging us to do things differently?
We Were Trapped Unknowingly
The truth is: This is not any single person’s fault.
We ended up in this mess as a collective.
We collectively consented to this kind of life—yes, we allowed it to happen.
Perhaps there was manipulation at play from corporations and expert marketers promising us that life would be incredible if we just embraced the idea of “more.”
But cheap dopamine has a price—a big one.
And deep down, you know this is something that needs to be dealt with.
The Nature of Cheap Dopamine
Strong examples of these addictive loops include:
Social media
Shopping
Excessive TV use
Substances
Food
Gambling
Video games
These temptations bring a huge reward up front, followed by a huge crash afterwards.
The more we increase their usage, the bigger the imbalance and the crash afterwards.
It’s precisely how we got to this current place as a society.
But There’s Always A Way Out
So what can we start doing now to break the chains and start rebalancing ourselves so we can handle whatever the future throws at us?
We need to recognize the true consequences of overdoing the things that bring us immediate satisfaction.
We can start breaking this cycle by having a dialog with ourselves.
Examples:
“I know that when I binge-watch five hours of TV, it’s great while I’m doing it—but afterwards, everything seems boring. I’m not interested in face-to-face conversation, my writing project, or going to the gym. If I balance this TV time, I’ll feel better in the long run.”
“I really want to eat this entire sandwich, but I know I’ll feel sluggish afterwards. If I eat half, my reward will be more energy for the rest of my day.”
“I want to be on social media for hours because it feels exciting and necessary for my business. But deep down, I know it affects my sleep and leaves me exhausted the next day. I can set a boundary and take better care of myself.”
“I really want three to five coffees per day because it keeps me going! But I know I’m compensating for another choice draining my energy. I’ll try a workout, nature walk, or more water instead.”
This isn’t about fixing all our imbalances at once.
It’s about starting small.
Like a fit body, discipline is sculpted from small, repetitive actions day by day.
Even tiny victories are powerful proof that you’re making progress.
The Thing Is: Our Denial MUST Be Faced
We need to get brutally honest about how much we’re distracting ourselves from reality.
Denial is a bitch.
I’ve watched many of my family members die from alcoholism, substance abuse, smoking, overeating—the list goes on.
Even near the end, they didn’t stop, because the ego wouldn’t let them.
It always wants more.
But does that desire really lead to more?
Not one person still alive in my family ever admitted these people had a problem.
They never used the word alcoholic or drug addict—not once.
Instead, they just said: “They were having a hard time.”
This is denial.
What My Grandfather Taught Me About Denial
My grandfather died when he was 68 from lung cancer.
He was one of my favorite people and still is to this day.
But as I got older, I realized the way he lived was incredibly unhealthy.
He smoked two packs of cigarettes a day, drank a massive pot of coffee late into the evening, and coped with the nights by drinking one to two bottles of wine and overeating.
On the outside, he seemed joyous and full of energy—and in some ways, he was.
But on the inside?
You get the picture.
He passed away in 1994.
He wouldn’t have had a prayer surviving in today’s world with the way cheap dopamine has evolved.
You Must Understand The Way Forward
We need to understand and accept that this is a big hole to climb out of.
But it’s not impossible, and it’s NOT meant to be done in large chunks.
From my 12-step meetings, I’ve learned that life isn’t about perfection.
It’s about progress, moving in the right direction—even slowly.
This is powerful.
Even if the majority continues to spiral downward, if you choose differently, your life will improve exponentially.
Your choices will inspire others.
You will be rewarded for your efforts in this lifetime.
After Decades Of Conscious Research: Here’s The Punchline
As a meditation and mindfulness practitioner for nearly 20 years, I’ve explored many paths—from deep sober meditations to plant medicine journeys—with one key goal: learning what truly satisfies the soul.
After decades of exploration and nearly 200 “Near Death Experience” videos, I’ve learned one thing:
We take nothing with us at the end but our memories and our soul lessons.
Life is meant to be enjoyed, but not drained dry.
We’re here to learn and grow, respecting the universal laws of balance.
When we disrupt that balance, suffering follows.
Change Your Actions, Change Your Life
I know it’s easier to ignore this and read a “feel good” post instead.
But that won’t stop what’s coming if we don’t take action and responsibility in our own lives.
Even small steps matter.
We can do this.
We just need to believe in ourselves first.
I’m writing this mainly for awareness—because awareness is the first step toward change.
I also fully believe that we can turn this around.
We just have to choose to limit cheap dopamine and set boundaries.
The cycle doesn’t have to continue.
The solution starts with you.
Thank you so much for reading. I always welcome comments. If you liked this piece, please feel free to subscribe for more “outside the box” essays and topics on relationships, self-improvement, & living a life of fulfillment.
As always, if you need clarification on anything or have additional questions, my door and DMS are always open. You can also visit my website by clicking the photo below. Substack subscribers get 20% off all my services for a limited time. DM me to get that discount.
So well said! I agree 100%
100% Nick