Dopamine Nation Audiobook By Dr. Anna Lembke cover art

Dopamine Nation

Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence

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Dopamine Nation

By: Dr. Anna Lembke
Narrated by: Dr. Anna Lembke
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About this listen

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES and LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER

“Brilliant . . . riveting, scary, cogent, and cleverly argued.”—Beth Macy, author of Dopesick, as heard on Fresh Air

This book is about pleasure. It’s also about pain. Most important, it’s about how to find the delicate balance between the two, and why now more than ever finding balance is essential. We’re living in a time of unprecedented access to high-reward, high-dopamine stimuli: drugs, food, news, gambling, shopping, gaming, texting, sexting, Facebooking, Instagramming, YouTubing, tweeting . . . The increased numbers, variety, and potency is staggering. The smartphone is the modern-day hypodermic needle, delivering digital dopamine 24/7 for a wired generation. As such we’ve all become vulnerable to compulsive overconsumption.

In Dopamine Nation, Dr. Anna Lembke, psychiatrist and author, explores the exciting new scientific discoveries that explain why the relentless pursuit of pleasure leads to pain . . . and what to do about it. Condensing complex neuroscience into easy-to-understand metaphors, Lembke illustrates how finding contentment and connectedness means keeping dopamine in check. The lived experiences of her patients are the gripping fabric of her narrative. Their riveting stories of suffering and redemption give us all hope for managing our consumption and transforming our lives. In essence, Dopamine Nation shows that the secret to finding balance is combining the science of desire with the wisdom of recovery.

©2021 Dr. Anna Lembke (P)2021 Penguin Audio
Biological Sciences Psychology Well-being Essentials Mental Health Inspiring Thought-Provoking Suspenseful Human Brain Social Media Addiction Addiction Science
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Critic reviews

"Anna Lembke deeply understands an experience I hear about often in the therapy room at the nexus between our modern addictions and our primal brains. Her stories of guiding people to find a healthy balance between pleasure and pain have the power to transform your life.” (Lori Gottlieb, “Dear Therapist” columnist at The Atlantic, New York Times best-selling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone)

“Just when you thought you knew all you needed to know about the addiction crisis, along comes Dr. Anna Lembke with her second brilliant book on the topic—this one not about a drug but about the most powerful chemical of all: the dopamine that rules the pain and pleasure centers of our minds. In an era of overconsumption and instant gratification, Dopamine Nation explains the personal and societal price of being ruled by the next fix—and how to manage it. No matter what you might find yourself over-indulging in—from the internet to food to work to sex—you’ll find this book riveting, scary, cogent, and cleverly argued. Lembke weaves patient stories with research, in a voice that’s as empathetic as it is clear-eyed.” (Beth Macy, author of Washington Post Best Book of the Year, New York Times Notable Book of 2018, and best seller Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America)

“We all desire a break from our routines and those parts of life that upset us. What if, instead of trying to escape these things, we learn to turn toward them, to reach a peaceful harmony with our selves and the people we share our lives with? Lembke has written a book that radically changes the way we think about mental illness, pleasure, pain, reward, and stress. Turn toward it. You’ll be happy you did.” (Daniel Levitin, New York Times best-selling author of The Organized Mind and Successful Aging)

"Explore[s] the dichotomy between seeking a readily accessible hit of dopamine—from our phones, gambling, or a bag of Fritos—and maintaining healthy, productive, stable lives.” (The New York Times, Inside the Best-Seller List)

Featured Article: The Audible Essentials—The Top 100 Well-Being Listens of All Time


We assembled our editors, scoured listener reviews, polled our most-trusted colleagues, and listened our ears off to bring you this list of 100 must-listen well-being titles on Audible. Whether you’re looking to get organized, stay motivated, find creative inspiration, or relieve stress, these audiobooks and podcasts are packed with insights from self-development and wellness experts to help you take the next step—or the first—in your personal journey.

What listeners say about Dopamine Nation

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Amazing!!!

I devoured the book over three evening walks. scientific and personal, intimate and open. vulnerable and raw. And I allowed me to step I to foreign worlds of other people and yet with a self recognition. This book will make waves because it allows people to recognize themselves in the book; Just like the first step in healing is recognizing and admitting to the problem. The piece on telling the truth and how we all lie a little was very eye opening. Fantastic writing. Thank you, Dr. Lembke.

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Must Read - Especially for Parents

Love Dr. Lembke's soothing voice and humility. I've read other books on how overindulgence leads to addictions of all kinds of things (even some seemingly innocuous), but this is definitely the most relatable, personal, and hopeful.

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Excellent book

This was fascinating and very educational. The science is well balanced with the stories, so it never seems overwhelming or dull. I listened to this straight through twice in one week and will likely listen to it again down the road.

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One of those hidden gems

Great stories. Great life lessons. Probably some of the strangest addictions you'll ever come across. Excellent narration as well. You won't be sorry you bought it!

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Needed read in the overstimulated world

Overworkrd
Production centered
Addicted to social media, CBD, sports, exercise?
Dopamine nation explains the plight we find ourselves in
Read by the author with personal voice changes which alert you to PAY ATTENTION
There is hope for you and us all as you reach the end
Great listen
Likely will purchase the hard copy

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Great material

I heard Dr. Lembe on NPR and the Joe Rogan Experience. I really like how she explains homeostasis. I have listened to this a few times now. I highly recommend it if you are struggling with addictions of any kind.

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Fascinating and Engaging

I learned so much through this book. Dr Lembke uses anecdotes, practical examples, and relevant research to make sense of some of our most confounding behavior. Loved it. My only complaint is that her voice is so soothing and low that sometimes it is hard to hear what she says, but this was not a frequent problem. Would recommend!

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Dopamine Nation a need to read for everyone!

Excellent observation,insight and hope for swimming from the depths of our current over indulgence.

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best book i've listened to in a long time

loved it definitely recommended for those in recovery, who think they might need to be, relatives of addicts, or anyone interested in the topic.

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Informative!

I’ve read countless books as a therapist specializing in substance use disorder. This book wowed me. Thank you for writing such an informative and interesting book!

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