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A review by jesi_nickname
Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Anna Lembke
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
This book was interesting and was a new-to-me perspective on addiction and overconsumption. It was informative and hopeful. The writing was beautiful in some parts and was focused on storytelling in a way that I don’t see a lot in science or self-help books. I also really loved the attitude that the author has that says life is worth living, even if it’s hard.
However, the reason this book isn’t rated higher is because it definitely comes across as having a thesis and providing information that supports that thesis. There were a few times throughout the book that the author would end a section where she makes a point with a “disclaimer: obviously this is a general statement and doing too much of it this way is also bad.” Type thing. And it left me wanting more. I wanted her to go into depth about the people who were legitimately using meds to fight anxiety and chronic pain and she didn’t really, she just mentioned that those people exist and moved on. I understand that this is a book meant to address addiction and overconsumption, not necessarily other health problems, but it really under cut heat I thought was otherwise a very informative, sincere, and helpful book.
I would still recommend it if you are a relatively healthy person trying to find their was in a world of plenty… and a beginner to the subject. I think this book works best is treated as a starting point instead of in isolation.
However, the reason this book isn’t rated higher is because it definitely comes across as having a thesis and providing information that supports that thesis. There were a few times throughout the book that the author would end a section where she makes a point with a “disclaimer: obviously this is a general statement and doing too much of it this way is also bad.” Type thing. And it left me wanting more. I wanted her to go into depth about the people who were legitimately using meds to fight anxiety and chronic pain and she didn’t really, she just mentioned that those people exist and moved on. I understand that this is a book meant to address addiction and overconsumption, not necessarily other health problems, but it really under cut heat I thought was otherwise a very informative, sincere, and helpful book.
I would still recommend it if you are a relatively healthy person trying to find their was in a world of plenty… and a beginner to the subject. I think this book works best is treated as a starting point instead of in isolation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use
Minor: Animal cruelty, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Religious bigotry