1 00:00:12,072 --> 00:00:15,819 Over a year ago, I first heard the term 'dopamine fasting.' 2 00:00:15,819 --> 00:00:19,612 And this is nothing new, considering that we live in an era of immediacy. 3 00:00:22,232 --> 00:00:26,912 We're hyperconnected with everyone, and this, of course, has its advantages. 4 00:00:29,049 --> 00:00:31,779 It allows us to complete tasks in less time, 5 00:00:31,779 --> 00:00:33,386 stay in touch with our loved ones 6 00:00:33,386 --> 00:00:34,646 despite the distance, 7 00:00:34,646 --> 00:00:36,596 and access information immediately. 8 00:00:39,698 --> 00:00:42,168 However, this bombardment of information 9 00:00:42,168 --> 00:00:44,148 leads to constant overstimulation. 10 00:00:45,099 --> 00:00:47,419 Everything is fast, ephemeral, 11 00:00:47,419 --> 00:00:50,699 and that translates into an endless series of dopamine spikes. 12 00:00:52,934 --> 00:00:54,954 You've probably heard of dopamine by now 13 00:00:55,884 --> 00:01:00,284 It's known as the happiness hormone although it's not actually a hormone. 14 00:01:00,719 --> 00:01:04,719 It's a neurotransmitter that activates our reward system in the brain 15 00:01:06,417 --> 00:01:08,697 It's released in response to pleasures 16 00:01:08,697 --> 00:01:11,842 like when we eat a piece of chocolate or buy something we like, 17 00:01:12,088 --> 00:01:14,992 creating feelings of satisfaction and happiness. 18 00:01:18,771 --> 00:01:22,771 But what happens if we're constantly releasing dopamine, as happens 19 00:01:22,771 --> 00:01:26,771 with frequent use of social media and other forms of instant gratification 20 00:01:29,290 --> 00:01:33,290 well, our brain can become dependent on these stimuli and therefore gets 21 00:01:33,406 --> 00:01:36,736 used to them and is always looking for more and more and more. 22 00:01:38,921 --> 00:01:41,577 It's paradoxical because we think we have everything 23 00:01:41,577 --> 00:01:43,798 we ever wanted, but the more things we have 24 00:01:43,798 --> 00:01:46,782 the more dissatisfied we feel. 25 00:01:49,441 --> 00:01:52,301 So how can we stop this constant overstimulation in a world 26 00:01:52,301 --> 00:01:54,551 that moves too fast? 27 00:02:00,137 --> 00:02:03,207 Well, it turns out that this same question was raised 28 00:02:03,207 --> 00:02:06,556 many years ago in silicon valley, where it is said that the term 29 00:02:06,556 --> 00:02:10,556 "dopamine fasting" originated in response to a routine that 30 00:02:10,556 --> 00:02:14,276 faced a frenetic lifestyle full of stimuli. 31 00:02:14,276 --> 00:02:18,276 Seeking to reduce the hours spent in front of a screen, reduce impulsive 32 00:02:18,276 --> 00:02:21,616 behaviors, excessive use of social networks, 33 00:02:21,616 --> 00:02:25,196 consumption of ultra-processed foods, etcetera. 34 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 But what does dopamine fasting consist of and 35 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 what is its purpose? 36 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 There really is no strict rule on how to do dopamine fasting, 37 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 but rather the intention is to achieve a temporary disconnection. That is, 38 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 to take a break from everything that generates a lot of dopamine.