The Science of Addiction: Dopamine, Social Media, and the Myth of Willpower with Maia Szalavitz

In this episode with award-winning journalist and author Maia Szalavitz challenges the idea that addiction is simply about pleasure or willpower. Instead, she explains addiction as compulsive behavior that continues despite negative consequences — and shows why withdrawal, dependence, and addiction are not the same thing.
The conversation explores “wanting” versus “liking,” why dopamine is misunderstood, how social media and AI can exploit reward systems, and why punishment often fails. Ultimately, Szalavitz argues that recovery depends less on tough love and more on connection, purpose, safety, and care.

Chapters
00:00 Understanding Addiction: Definitions and Mechanisms
10:43 The Role of Dopamine in Addiction
14:18 Addiction as a Learning Disorder
16:22 Substance vs. Experience: The Nature of Addiction
20:13 Evidence-Based Methods for Overcoming Addiction
25:20 Finding Meaning and Purpose Beyond Addiction
33:30 The Pursuit of Meaningful Experiences
34:15 Understanding Dopamine and Pleasure
39:10 The Complexity of Addiction
43:00 Social Media and Addiction Dynamics
50:42 Generational Perspectives on Technology and Addiction
57:53 Lessons Learned in Addiction Science
01:02:03 Rethinking Addiction: A New Perspective
01:03:54 The Compulsive Nature of Addiction
01:04:14 Understanding Addiction Beyond Pleasure
01:05:27 The Importance of Connection and Compassion

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