The book club
The Molecule of More by Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long
BooksEpisode 498 minJuly 12, 2026

The Molecule of More

The Molecule of More by Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long

Dopamine is about wanting, not having. It lights up for what is next and goes quiet the moment you arrive, which is why more never feels like enough.

dopaminemotivationdesire

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About this episode

Why do the things we want so badly often feel less exciting once we finally have them? In today's episode, let's delve into the book "The Molecule of More" by Daniel Lieberman and Michael Long, which explains the neuroscience behind dopamine, motivation, and why "more" never seems to feel like enough for us!

Key takeaways

  1. 1

    Two systems: dopamine for the future, the here-and-now chemicals for the present.

  2. 2

    Anticipation is the high; possession is the comedown.

  3. 3

    Balance comes from deliberately practicing presence and appreciation.

Try this tonight

Pick something you already have that you once badly wanted. Spend two minutes actually enjoying it.

Journal prompt

“What am I chasing right now, and what will I feel the day after I get it?”

Write about it