What is a ‘dopamine detox,’ and is it possible to achieve in our world? | Canada Voices

I’ve heard several of my friends’ new year’s resolutions by now and, for the most part, they have been predictable: exercise more, eat less takeout, delete that pesky sports betting app. Then, there was this more alliterative pledge that sounds something like a fringe medical procedure: dopamine detox.

Here is how it works: you temporarily deprive yourself of one or more sources of stimuli that bring you pleasure – such as junk food, alcohol, social media, gambling or sex – robbing you of the ensuing high and ostensibly “rewiring” your brain.