The Myth Index
Myth: Dopamine made you do it.
Dopamine follows the value you have already assigned to something. It doesn't create the value.
What's really going on
What people sayPhones, sugar and scrolling hijack your dopamine, and you're powerless against it.
What's realDopamine follows the value you assigned.
Dopamine is agnostic. It doesn't care whether the behavior is healthy or unhealthy. A person can get very disciplined at very unhealthy habits.
You aren't hungry for a flibber-fliggit right now. Not knowing what one is, you've assigned it no value.
The craving starts with the valuation, and the valuation is a thought. Change the value you assign and the chemistry follows.
Remember, dopamine is the result not the cause. ... It's not the dopamine. It's our valuation system.@therapy_bites, 2026