Dopamine loops drive our behaviors—good and bad. When eating, working, exercising, drinking, and engaging in many other activities, it’s paramount to recognize the loops you are caught in and accentuate the positive ones while moderating the negative ones.

Today, you will learn how to recognize a dopamine loop and how it impacts your financial decisions, and how you can use it to your benefit. Mastering your money dopamine loops will give you better control over your financial future and life.

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Today, we will dive into the

Wealth Inside and Out® Podcast – Are You Hooked on a Money Dopamine Loop?

Overview of what you will learn:
>> (3:24) Common dopamine hits
>> (6:06) The science behind the chemical dopamine and how it impacts you
>> (7:50) Understanding the wanting system and how to avoid the pitfalls
>> (11:01) How spending money triggers the dopamine loop
>> (12:40) Why building wealth can be hard when in a dopamine loop
>> (16:42) What Pavlov’s research taught us about behavior
>> (20:33) My recommendation on recognizing and managing dopamine hits such as social media triggers
>> (24:30) How to process your emotional triggers

What Is Dopamine?

The original discovery of dopamine was in 1958 by Arvid Carlsson and Nils-Ake Hillarp. They were researchers in Sweden at the National Heart Institute of Sweden. Dopamine is critical to various brain functions. Examples include:

• Sleeping
• Focus and attention
• Thinking
• Motivation

The Pleasure-Seeking Brain Chemical

Initially, dopamine was thought to be central to the brain’s pleasure systems. The belief was that it made us feel enjoyment and motivated behaviors, like eating, sex, and drug use.

However, research revealed that dopamine is also key to seeking behavior. It makes us desire and search and increases goal-directed behavior.

The Dopamine Information Connection

Dopamine fuels our curiosity and drives our search for information.

Wanting and Liking

Researcher Kent Berridge shares that there are two complementary systems: “wanting” and “liking.”

Dopamine is part of the wanting system, propelling us to take action. On the other hand, the liking system satisfies us and allows us to pause our pleasure-seeking behavior.

However, our wanting system is stronger for many, often leading us into an endless pleasure-seeking loop. This becomes problematic at times.

For example:

• Earning money regardless of the price
• Spending money instead of saving for retirement
• Gambling or consistently purchasing lottery tickets in hopes of a brighter financial future

The Money Dopamine Loop

For many people, earning money engages our dopamine loop.

As a top producer for over 22 years, I can share firsthand that this is true for many high-earning professionals.

Most companies have a reward program where the best salespeople get trips and rewards in front of their peers. The rewards are high. One top producer trip I attended flew us and our partners to Europe. We stayed in a $2,000-a-night penthouse and received unbelievable gifts.

The company’s president also introduced us and told everyone how amazing we were.

For many, it’s easy to want more and not feel satisfied until you achieve this accolade. Sadly, some people resort to unethical behaviors because they desire to experience the money dopamine loop.

On the other hand, many people get a hit when they spend money. The attention we get when we drive up in the newest car or with the hottest handbag is a high many people seek.

The problem with the money dopamine loop is that earning and spending money is acceptable in our society.

When our primal (emotional/child) brain runs the show instead of our prefrontal (rational/logical) brain, we get into the loop of earning money only to spend it so we look like we have money.

Individuals unable to interrupt the money dopamine loop often end up broke.

While earning and spending money is an external dopamine loop, accumulating wealth is more of an internal reward.

Anticipatory Rewards and Pavlovian Cues

The dopamine system is susceptible to cues signaling a coming reward. Think of Pavlov’s dogs.

When there’s a sound or visual cue indicating something desirable is coming, this cue enhances the addictive effect.

While many believe that the reward is the goal, the anticipation keeps the loop going. Robert Sapolsky discusses this anticipation-dopamine connection in his research.

Let’s review an example:

Imagine if a company’s vice president were stuck in this loop, constantly checking emails, messages, and notifications.

Their productivity would suffer, and their ability to make high-level decisions would be compromised.

This scenario underscores the importance of managing the dopamine loop for personal well-being and maintaining professional efficiency and effectiveness.

Breaking the Loop

It can be challenging to break the loop when you combine the anticipation and the release of dopamine.

An example would be spontaneously buying stuff with a credit card when you see something you want. Habits that become hard-wired can make changing the brain’s reward systems difficult.

However, there are some techniques you can try. One strategy is to create a counter-movement—an alternative physical action that becomes a conditioned response.

For instance, practice the 3-Day Rule or leave your credit cards at home.

Alternatively, when you feel the need to spend, turn on some classical music or high-energy sounds.

Conclusion — Are You Hooked on a Money Dopamine Loop?

Unchecked dopamine loops can have devastating consequences in your life and with your money. For this reason, the sooner you recognize and manage them, the better. Today’s episode will help you identify and rewire subconscious loops with your money and life. As a result, you can use these loops to your benefit and enjoy your life more than you would otherwise.

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Are You or a Family Member Hooked on a Money Dopamine Loop?

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