When you have a cup of tea or coffee, you feel happy. A chemical called dopamine causes it. The more frequent and regular these activities become, slowly you become addicted to your habit.
Stanford University addiction research professor Dr. Ana Lembke talks about this in her book Dopamine Nation referring to the USA. Any habit formation that makes you feel good is caused by Dopamine.
In olden times, it was Soma juice. Now it is coffee or tea. You become an addict. Without it, you become restless.
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PG Woodhouse, that paragon of gentle humour, calls his character Bertie Wooster an addict of Morning tea. He cannot move from his bed without his morning tea, brought by his butler Jeeves. This Dopamine addiction is common all over the world. But in the USA, it is an addiction seen in all sections of society.
According to Professor Lembke, cheap Dopamine chasers end up consuming more and more, even to get older highs, and end in an addictive loop.
In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says this addiction can be discontinued with the help of constant practice and detachment. A common person may not be able to do so. But one can always try to do so.
When you repeat your daily routine of having a cup of tea or coffee, you get a kick in your brain and you feel fresh. But suppose you do not get your favourite drink someday, you feel dejected and disappointed.
The philosopher advises you to get used to such an eventuality often so that you become accustomed to the new habit of living without your dear drink. You may make a trip to the Moon, but it is quite difficult to control your mind.
If you want to succeed in life, you have to conquer your mind. Prof Lembke advises Americans to try to control their mind with a good habit of doing Yogasanas or doing self-introspection daily.
Chetan Bhagat also says that addiction caused by cheap Dopamine can be overcome by practice and a slight detachment. Chetan Bhagat, in his book “11 Rules for Life: Secrets to Level Up” wants you to get rid of your addiction to cheap Dopamine, and stay away from it by avoiding that addictive activity for 30 days to reset your Dopamine system.
In short, both Prof Lembke and Chetan Bhagat advocate that Dopamine is a necessary evil, but you can regulate it by your self-control.
