We may be the most overstimulated generation in history.
Sugar
The average American eats around 70 pounds of sugar a year; more for teens.
Sugar stimulates the release of dopamine, the pleasure and reward neurotransmitter in the brain.
Caffeine
Often consumed in coffee, tea, sodas, chocolates, and pills (such as Anacin). Caffeine stimulates the pituitary gland to produce more adrenaline and cortisol. It is a chemical stimulant that is found naturally in coffee beans, tea leaves, cacao beans, and other natural sources. Caffeine can also be produced synthetically and added to drinks, food, tablets and supplements. The average American consumes 49-76 grams annually.
Loud Music
Loud music stimulates the nervous system and overwhelms the brain. We’ve all driven while tired and cranked up the volume of our car’s music system for a lift. Some attend a church where the music is so loud you can’t hear the person next to you sing.
Tech-driven productivity
With the productivity gains of computers and other technological advances we can do more, so we keep adding more to our plate. The “Go-Go-Go” way of life is a rush. Until we crash.
Dopamine hits galore!
Social media, video games, porn, and extended time online (including Amazon) affect the brain similarly as toxic addictive substances do, sparking rapid dopamine spikes. Consistent immersion in the 24/7 news cycle stimulates the nervous system and can trigger anxiety and anger.
Nicotine
This highly addictive stimulant found in tobacco and e-cigarettes triggers rapid dopamine release in the brain’s reward pathway.
Energy drinks
Now a 25 billion dollar industry, energy drinks are stimulants on steroids which, when overused, can cause death.
Is anyone asking how all this stimulation and sensory overload is affecting us? Or what the transformation of society to a bunch of dopamine junkies is doing to us mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually? To our attention spans?
Eating too much sugar leads to unhealthy weight gain, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol. 70% of the US population is considered overweight, with one-third classified as obese. Overuse of caffeine can lead to fatigue, headaches, anxiety, and disrupted sleep. The United States has some of the highest rates of mental health conditions in the world, including depression, anxiety, high suicide rates, and significant substance abuse.
Having it all is messing us up.
Many of the issues listed above didn’t exist a century ago. For thousands of years the human race did fine without blasting our brains and nervous systems with sensory overload. Many are addicted to at least one of these stimulants.
Want to know if you’re addicted?
Give up sugar, caffeine, social media, porn, news binges, or whatever your thing is for 24-48 hours and see what happens. Can you go two days without withdrawals? Or make it that far?
This isn’t about making a checklist of rights and wrongs. Enjoying coffee, a bit of dark chocolate isn’t sin. Neither is going online as long as the websites don’t cross the line of what is appropriate. The big question is who’s in the driver’s seat. Are we more flesh-driven or Spirit-led? A jittery dopamine junkie, or able to let things go and find rest of soul with God? Gorging on junk food and junk media (news included) is harmful to body, soul, and spirit. Constant stimulation buzzes the flesh and quenches the Spirit-life. More, more, more; the flesh is never satisfied and always screaming for more. Prayer is difficult when we can’t quiet our spirit and focus on God for extended periods of time alone in silence.
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything.”
1 Corinthians 6:12
The question here is whether we are allowing something to dominate our lives. We can allow even good things to go too far. If you’re juiced on a combination of the habits listed above, perhaps now is a good time to do a little life examination
For those who might need to do a reset or make some adjustments, here are some thoughts.
Take a break.
Dr. Anna Lembke from Stanford University, who works with addiction treatment, says the following:
“The science informs our treatment because we now know that people who are addicted have gone outside of our normal homeostatic boundaries in the brain. A major goal of addiction treatment is to return patients to that healthy balance, and there are a number of ways to achieve that, depending on the substance. The number one way is abstinence.” She recommends a 30-day reset as a way to challenge one’s own relationship with a behavior or substance. “During those 30 days, people will generally feel worse before they get better, but if they can make it to 30 days, they’ll have gathered their own data on how difficult it was and how they feel when they’re not engaging. They’ll be able to make their own informed decisions about how they want to use a behavior or substance in the future.”
In laymen’s terms, take a break for 30 days with the habit. After the 30 days is over consider how much time or engagement is reasonable for you with that issue or habit. (Of course, something that is sin, like porn, must cease).
Get outside.
We spend 90% of our time indoors, to the detriment of our health. Being outside in the sun boosts vitamin D levels while increasing serotonin, which improves mood, focus, and energy levels. Sunshine regulates circadian rhythms for better sleep quality, reduces cortisol to alleviate stress, and offers opportunities for physical activity that lowers blood pressure. Morning walks in the sun triggers cortisol production, serving as a natural wake-up signal and stimulant.
“Truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 11:7
Exercise.
Another great natural stimulant. Get moving.
Be a part of a tribe.
God made us for connection and social bonding with others. I’m talking face to face here, not posting on social media. Share your struggles with others and get them praying for you. Do the same for others; James 5:16 in action.
Learn the way of Jesus, which is to rest and be content with nothing but God in silence, including going away for long solo binges of prayer. Instead of pampering the flesh’s ever present “MORE!”, time alone with God brings healing and life to the soul and quiets the flesh. We experience peace, which doesn’t come our way when we’re buzzed on sensory overload.
Every morning, as I’m waking up, I’m praying. I take our dog out for a walk, talking to God as I go. At times I will say out loud “The joy of the Lord is my strength,” “I choose joy,” or spend time giving him thanks (gratitude lights up the brain). I’ll come inside and have another 45-60 minutes with God, resting with Him, praying, reading His word, worshipping, more giving thanks, intercession. By the time I’m ready to get into the day there is a major boost of joy coursing through my heart.
Without external stimulants.
And the phone hasn’t been turned on.
My friends, God designed us to run on Him; to be filled with the fruit of His spirit. We don’t need stimulants. The human race made it without shooting up on dopamine for thousands of years, as the Bible affirms.
“Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
Jeremiah 6:16
Rest of soul. What a wonderful blessing awaiting those who choose the ancient paths.
