Dopamine Moments
It is with great delight that the authors of The Molecule of More deliver on their promise of revealing how a single chemical “will determine the fate of the human race.”[1] This single chemical is dopamine and it is getting its fair share of the attention in the media and popular works, and rightfully so, but this does not always accurately account for the role it plays in our brains. Dopamine is the wonder chemical that makes life worth living and can get us into trouble. While it has been cited as the addictive chemical, Lieberman and Long describe dopamine as, “…the key to explaining and even predicting behavior across a spectacular range of human endeavors…”[2] The power of dopamine lies in its predictive behavior, specifically, how it can be wrong. Lieberman and Long explain that this is called reward prediction error, which means that our brains are rewarded with dopamine when we anticipated incorrectly to our delight[3].
The ability of our brains to anticipate experiences and find delight when life exceeds our predictions made me think of a book called, The Power of Moments. The authors, Chip and Dan Heath observe that our lives are shaped by defining moments that seems to lodge themselves in our minds, even influencing our perception of other moments we experience[4]. While there is a lot of psychological nuances to unravel, it made me curious how the experience of delight and the dopamine response might be connected. In particular, if it is possible to use this understanding of dopamine and delight to create moments that entice people to engage in the moment they are experiencing?
One of the examples cited in The Power of Moments is the experience at the Magic Castle Hotel. There is not much to note about the hotel, except for the “Popsicle Hotline” that is next to the pool, in which you can order a popsicle delivered on a silver platter by a person wearing white gloves[5]. The authors conclude that it’s not that guests can order popsicles, it’s that, “Some moments are vastly more meaningful than others.”[6] The special moment created by a “Popsicle Hotline” is the kind of break from the usual experience of going to a hotel pool. The thrill of seeing a phone that allows you to order popsicles while you sit by the pool is an example of the “pleasure of anticipation – the possibility of something unfamiliar and better.”[7]
This lead me to wonder if all this information about dopamine could be of any reasonable benefit? Lieberman and Long offered the conclusion that while dopamine is the anticipation chemical, the benefit of dopamine is that it invites us to be more present to the world we occupy because, “Reality is the richest source of the unexpected.”[8] The point being that we do not have to go searching for novelty in our lives. We can simply pay more attention to what is already around us. This conclusion sounds similar to the one offered by Heath and Heath. As they encourage creating defining moments, they offer, “A bit of attention and energy can transform an ordinary moment into an extraordinary one.”[9]. It can be the best of both worlds. Put a little effort into enjoying and highlighting the special moments in your life, and when you encounter them with anticipation or experience them with surprise, you will know that dopamine is that wonderful chemical that helping you enjoy that defining moment. Just be aware, the effect of dopamine will diminish when the experience becomes familiar. At that point, go read The Power of Moments for some tips on creating new experiences.
- Daniel Z Lieberman and Michael E Long, The Molecule of More :How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity-and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race (Dallas, Tx: Benbella Books, Inc, 2019).
- Ibid., 3.
- Ibid., 6.
4. Dan Heath and Chip Heath, The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact (Random House UK, 2019) 9.
5. Ibid., 10-12.
6. Ibid., 12.
7. Lieberman and Long, 6.
8. Ibid., 216.
9. Heath and Heath, 180.
About the Author
Chad McSwain
Chad is a systematic creative serving in pastoral ministry for nearly 20 years, Chad is a professional question-asker and white-board enthusiast, who enjoys helping people discover their own passions and purpose. A life-long learner, he has a B.A, Philosophy - Univ. Central Oklahoma, M.A Theology - Fuller Seminary, M.Div. Perkins School of Theology at SMU and is pursuing a Doctor of Leadership - George Fox University. He is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, currently serving as Lead Pastor of Whitesboro UMC. Chad and his wife, Brandi live in Prosper, Texas along with their three children, two pugs and a chameleon.4 responses to “Dopamine Moments”
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Hi Chad,
Good examples in the Power of Moment at the Magic Castle Hotel.
I am curious; has the book brought you more surprises as far as dopamine levels are concerned?
Chad,
Awesome post. As I read your post, I thought that this book resonated with you.
You were able to find a ‘golden’ thread called reward prediction error and pull on it to unravel a delightful journey that described being fully present.
As a very busy pastor, husband and father are you more aware of creating the extraordinary moment from the ordinary?
Chad,
Great job tying in this example :
” cited in The Power of Moments is the experience at the Magic Castle Hotel.”
It is interesting how novelty aides in making a moment special.
You state:
“A bit of attention and energy can transform an ordinary moment into an extraordinary one.”
I know that you have some cool kids. I am wondering how you may be attempting to make moments special with them? Have there been some creative ways you and your wife have been able to make moments more memorable? My son is a senior in high school and I am wanting to maximize the moments we have with him before he goes to college. 😉
Chad, I can’t wait to read The Power of Moments. Thank you for the recommendation. As a leader in a world ever more disconnected from reality and seeking the next dopamine hit from everything but reality. Do you have any ideas, maybe even from this new book, that might help us to find grounded in reality experiences that can keep us from loosing touch with reality?