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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Molecule of More summary
Daniel Lieberman
Michael E. Long
How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity – and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race
26 mins
Brief summary
The Molecule of More by Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long explains how the dopamine molecule drives us to pursue pleasure and seek novelty. It offers insights into the human desire for more and how we can manage it to lead a fulfilled life.
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The Molecule of More
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
Dopamine is the molecule of possibilities.
If you’ve heard about dopamine before, you likely know it as the brain’s feel-good chemical.
Indeed, after the researcher Kathleen Montagu first identified dopamine in a human brain in 1957, scientists quickly dubbed her discovery “the pleasure molecule.” That’s because pleasure is exactly what people feel when dopamine is active in their brains.
Further research on rats proved that dopamine activity was at its highest when animals received tasty food. Scientists named the parts of the brain involved in this reaction the dopamine reward circuit.
As scientific terms go, this name is fairly simple – but it’s also misleading. There’s much more to dopamine than stimulus and reward.
The key message here is: Dopamine is the molecule of possibilities.
It turns out that dopamine doesn’t really care about tasty food. In fact, it doesn’t really care about anything that is predictable. Instead, dopamine gets released when we encounter things that are new, unexpected, and exciting.
The bigger and better the surprise, the more dopamine our brain releases – and the more pleasure we feel. The high is greatest when we make a reward prediction error – in other words, when we encounter an outcome that’s better than what we expected.
Just think of the rush you get when you check your bank account and realize that you have more money than you thought. That’s the dopamine high of unexpected good news.
Recently, scientists have proposed that our brain divides the world into two separate regions: near and far. Everything that’s close to us – the things we can touch, see, and feel at any given moment – falls into the “near” category. Anything that’s out of our immediate reach – figuratively or literally – falls into the “far” category.
Dopamine gets you excited about the things that fall into the “far” category, and motivates you to pursue them. It encourages a hunter to track that elusive animal, an office worker to apply for that coveted promotion, a shopper to buy that powerful car.
From an evolutionary perspective, this makes sense. After all, the food we have is already here, right in front of us. It’s the food that we don’t yet have that could decide whether we live or die. And that’s why dopamine evolved to make us chase our dreams.
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What is The Molecule of More about?
The Molecule of More (2020) reveals how one brain chemical kindles our desires, fuels our creativity, and makes us fall in love. Using the latest insights from psychology, neuroscience, and social studies to investigate the role of this powerful brain chemical in our thoughts and behavior, it explains what science can teach us about drug addiction, mental illness, and political disagreements.
The Molecule of More Review
The Molecule of More (2018) explores the complex interplay between dopamine and other neurotransmitters in our brain and how it influences our behavior, desires, and decisions. Here's why this book is worth your time:
- With fascinating scientific research and real-life stories, it provides valuable insights into the role of dopamine in shaping our personalities and motivations.
- The book delves into how dopamine affects our creativity, ambition, and relationships, offering practical applications to harness its power for self-improvement.
- Through its exploration of the molecular basis of passionate pursuits, it challenges our understanding of happiness, offering a fresh perspective on the pursuit of fulfillment.
Best quote from The Molecule of More
Liberals want to help people become better, conservatives want to let people be happy, and politicians want power.
—Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long
Who should read The Molecule of More?
- Science enthusiasts interested in the mysteries of the human brain
- Mind-wanderers, achievement addicts, and other restless souls
- Anyone looking for neurochemical balance in their lives
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The Molecule of More FAQs
What is the main message of The Molecule of More?
The main message of The Molecule of More is that dopamine plays a crucial role in shaping human behavior and success.
How long does it take to read The Molecule of More?
The reading time for The Molecule of More varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in 15 minutes.
Is The Molecule of More a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Molecule of More is worth reading as it provides valuable insights into the impact of dopamine on motivation, passion, and achievement.
Who is the author of The Molecule of More?
The authors of The Molecule of More are Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long.
What to read after The Molecule of More?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Molecule of More, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Expectation Effect by David Robson
- Your Brain on Porn by Gary Wilson
- Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke
- All About Love by bell hooks
- Dopamine Detox by Thibaut Meurisse
- Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky
- Behave by Robert Sapolsky
- The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch
- In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
- Atomic Habits by James Clear