The Science Behind Widespread Phone Addiction with Hassan Aleem, PhD

In this episode of The Adaptive Mind, we are joined by Hassan Aleem, PhD in Neuroscience and co-founder of Nuance Behavior, an agency leveraging behavioral science for digital behavior change. Hassan draws upon his research in neuroaesthetics to explain how visual and interactive elements shape our moods, decisions, and motivations—especially when it comes to our phones. We discuss the irresistible pull of smartphones, from “boredom triggers” to dopamine-driven scrolling, and share practical tips to help you reclaim your attention. Hassan also dives into the ethics of designing digital products, highlighting how companies can boost user engagement without resorting to manipulative patterns. Whether you’re looking to regain focus, build healthier tech habits, or simply understand why it’s so hard to put your phone down, this episode offers actionable strategies backed by real-world behavioral science. This podcast is brought to you by Neurture, the #1 science-based app to help you cut back or break habits. Install it for free on iOS or Android. Access detailed show notes at neurtureapp.com/podcast. Links: Nuance Behavior: nuancebehavior.com Hassan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hassan-aleem/ Neurture for iPhone: App Store Neurture for Android: Google Play Neurture Home: neurtureapp.com Find us on Instagram: @neurtureapp