The Science of Addiction: Dopamine, Social Media, and the Myth of Willpower with Maia Szalavitz
From Breaking Math Podcast by Autumn Phaneuf & Noah Giansiracusa
May 21, 2026 · 50 min
About this episode
Maia Szalavitz discusses the complexities of addiction, challenging traditional views on pleasure and willpower.
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…
People in this episode
Hosts: Autumn Phaneuf, Noah Giansiracusa
Guest: Maia Szalavitz
Topics covered
- addiction
- dopamine
- social media
- compulsive behavior
- recovery
- connection
Keywords
- addiction
- dopamine
- social media
- recovery
- compulsive behavior
- withdrawal
- dependence
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Breaking Math Podcast
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