How unpredictable rewards keep you hooked to addictive sites & toxic relationships
From Not Entirely Unlike Tea by Christine Collins, MS
January 29, 2026 · 9 min
About this episode
This episode explores how unpredictable rewards in various systems keep individuals hooked and discusses the neuroscience behind it.
In this episode, we'll peek at how intermittent rewards are used in systems like slot machines, social media, and toxic relationships to keep you hooked. We'll talk about the neuroscience behind variable reward and why unpredictable rewards are more addictive than consistent ones. We'll also cover how this shows up in dating apps, workplace dynamics, and your phone habits, and how mindfulness can help! . . . oh hi & welcome to “Not Entirely Unlike Tea” – i’m christine collins & togeth...
People in this episode
Host: Christine Collins
Topics covered
- intermittent rewards
- addiction
- neuroscience
- toxic relationships
- mindfulness
- social media
- dating apps
Keywords
- intermittent rewards
- addiction
- neuroscience
- toxic relationships
- mindfulness
- social media
- dating apps
- workplace dynamics
- phone habits
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