TBC Season 1: Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke

What it's about, why I chose it, and where to get your copy.

Jun 15, 2023

In a hurry? Here’s what you need to know:

What is this book about? Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke is a book about (re-)balancing pleasure in a world of abundance and overconsumption. It’s based on the neuroscience of reward and case studies from Lembke’s own experience as a psychiatrist.
When will we start reading? We started reading on July 1st, 2023. You can find the full reading schedule with links to each chapter below.
Where can I get my copy? I linked to several versions of the book below.
Haven’t subscribed yet? Just type your email address below and never miss a single edition. If you’re already subscribed, you can pledge your support with a membership.

I stumbled across this book at a difficult time. It was an intense phase of anhedonia—somehow, I’d grown unable to experience pleasure. Biking to the park and reading a book in my hammock seemed dull. Not even video games were fun anymore, let alone the simple joy of sensing sunbeams on my face. Overall, I just felt numb.

One day, I listened to an interview with Dr. Anna Lembke. And suddenly, unexpectedly, I heard her say something that pierced through my apathetic slumber:

“We’ve reached a tipping point where abundance itself has become a physiological stressor. So it’s not that we’re morally weak or lazy or even indulgent … It’s that the world has become a place that is mismatched for our basic neurology and physiology. And we’re trying to figure it out, but it’s super, super hard. And we’re getting sick in the process.”

Something just clicked when I heard her say that. The world has become a place that is mismatched for our basic neurology. It’s an issue I’ve been exploring for a while—especially through (digital) minimalism. But now, I want to dive deeper into the neurology and addictive behaviors behind this mismatch. How can we find balance when all the pleasure we could ever dream of is at our fingertips? How can we resolve the paradox of having everything we need yet feeling discontent?

I hope we can answer these questions as we progress on Dopamine Nation.

Something to Keep in Mind

The thing about starting a new book is… it could suck.

The risk is always there. New York Times bestsellers can’t prevent it. Not even book clubs can protect you.

Dopamine Nation is no exception. Like many other books, it received some heavy criticism. This book is moralistic hogwash parading as science, reads one review. Moral puritanism, says another. (Of course, these kinds of reviews always stick out in a sea of positive feedback.)

So don’t worry: we’ll be extra careful with Lembke’s viewpoint, scrutinizing the bare bones of each chapter.

But simultaneously, I think that controversial opinions often make a book interesting. See, sometimes, a book isn’t as much about the quality of its contents as its provocations to think about a certain topic. For instance, The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris is a terrible book in many aspects: puffed-up, ephemeral, and ethically questionable. But still: the core idea—that you can escape the corporate treadmill—was so revolutionary when I read it that it completely changed my life.

Similarly, Dopamine Nation might be radical and unscientific in some aspects. But the core idea—that modern life swamps our brains with dopamine—deserves deeper investigation. I, for one, have witnessed how my over-consumption of sugar, social media, games, and alcohol has made me miserable.

Ultimately, this book won’t be the solution to all our problems. (Duh… no book ever will.) But I’m convinced it holds timely, valuable signposts to navigate the modern world. Thus, it’s a book worth being bibliosophized.

Do you know someone who’d enjoy reading Dopamine Nation with us? Share this post and invite them to the party!

Get Your Copy Here (and support me)

If you want to get a copy, consider using my affiliate links below. This will allow you to purchase the book with zero extra costs while donating a small portion of the price to The Bibliosopher’s Club. It’s a win-win.

Get the hardcover
Get the paperback
Get the audiobook (free with an Audible trial)

Any Thoughts?

Now I want to hear from you! What do you think about this pick? Any thoughts? Perhaps you already read this book and gained a deeper insight into this topic? I want to know! Just reply to this mail or drop me a comment.

The Bibliosopher's Club

Discussion about this post