Best of: The future of addiction

Today, we're re-releasing my conversation with psychiatrist Anna Lembke on the future of addiction. Whether its substances, screens, or work itself, addiction in some form touches nearly all of our lives either directly or through someone we care about. Anna breaks down the dopamine mechanisms behind addiction of all kinds, from opioids to social media to, in her own case, romance novels, and shares what actually works in recovery, including exercise and structured abstinence. Whether you're thinking about screen habits, substance use, or just how to build healthier routines, this one's well worth another listen. Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected]. Episode Reference Links: Stanford Profile: Anna Lembke Connect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Russ Altman introduces Anna Lembke, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University. (00:01:52) Defining Addiction Why addiction involves compulsive use despite harm, even when the behavior seems ordinary. (00:03:31) Romance Novels and Harm How Lembke’s own reading habit became a case study in subtle addiction. (00:05:49) Dopamine and the Addicted Brain What repeated dopamine spikes do to reward pathways and withdrawal symptoms. (00:08:34) Seeing the Problem How naming a compulsive habit can make it visible and open the door to change. (00:10:34) Addiction Medicine Today How the opioid epidemic changed medical training and addiction awareness. (00:12:48) Russ Altman’s “Addictions” Russ details his own dopamine habits for the audience. (00:14:37) Exercise and Hormesis Why movement, effort, and discomfort can help restore healthier dopamine patterns. (00:17:22) Dopamine Fasting The self-intervention Dr. Lembke used & her potential cross-addictions. (00:21:22) Vulnerability to Addiction Why genetic risk, family history, and drug of choice shape addiction vulnerability. (00:22:53) The Opioid Epidemic How prescription opioids, heroin, and fentanyl shaped three waves of crisis. (00:24:51) Fentanyl and Overdose Risk Why counterfeit pills and fentanyl exposure can be lethal even for new users. (00:26:28) Treating Opioid Addiction Why medications like methadone and buprenorphine help restore stability. (00:28:17) The Future of Addiction Why Lembke sees addiction as a long-term challenge across drugs, media, and food. (00:29:22) Conclusion   Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.