Member Reviews

I have to say that there were times while listening to Taming the Molecule of More that felt the author, Michael E. Long, was talking directly to me. At first Long breaks down the effects dopamine has on us and how it influences our actions. This was a real eye opener for me, and I recognized the actions he spoke of not only in me but in my friends and family as well, patterns we fell into and followed. The good news is that Long also breaks down how we can train ourselves to use dopamine to work for us, how to break the old patterns and create new ones that will enhance all aspects of facets of our lives. Michael does the narration himself, and I think he does an excellent job. That being said, I could also see myself picking up the physical book as well as it’s easier to flip through a physical book to find parts I want to review. No matter how you choose to read this one, there is plenty of useful advice. I’d like to thank Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review an advanced copy of the audio version of Taming the Molecule of More.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RH8P441QW1LNM/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

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This book provides a lively discussion of how dopamine affects human behavior and how we can take charge again to live a happier, more meaningful life. It’s well-organized, easy to understand, and a genuinely fun way to learn about neuroscience that should appeal to a wide audience.

While the earlier book, The Molecule of More, was a fascinating read, this sequel offers a lot more practical advice. You don’t need to read the first book to understand this one, but if you have read the first book, there is plenty of new content here. I appreciated the discussion of potential methods to raise or lower dopamine levels in Part II. Part III provides specific recommendations on how to improve various parts of your life affected by dopamine, such as romantic relationships and sexual urges, various addictive behaviors (such as checking social media, shopping, and gaming), and improving productivity and creativity.

I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. He does a wonderful job of explaining technical information clearly in an easy to understand way. I also appreciated his sense of humor and pop culture references (e.g., Ferris Buehler, Office Space).

The audiobook production was great, and the author did an excellent job with narration. He has a pleasant voice, and his presentation is so dynamic that he never lost my attention.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in how to use neuroscience to tame their cravings and modify their behavior to lead a better life.

I received a free advanced review copy of the audiobook through NetGalley. I volunteered to provide an honest review.

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A follow-up to the authors’ earlier book The Molecule of More, this sequel shifts gears in the best possible way. While the original focused more on the theory—explaining the science behind dopamine and why it drives so much of human behavior—Taming the Molecule of More goes a step further. It’s all about the how.

This book is much more practical and application-focused. It explores how we can recognize the influence of dopamine in our lives and, more importantly, how we can tame it instead of letting it control us. From ambition to addiction, relationships to restlessness, the authors unpack real-life scenarios where dopamine can either enhance or sabotage our well-being—and they offer thoughtful strategies for creating balance.

What I love is how accessible and relatable the writing is. Even though it’s grounded in neuroscience, it never feels overly technical. The authors have a gift for explaining complex ideas in simple, compelling language, and there are plenty of moments that made me pause and reflect on my own habits and mindset.

That said, I did find it a tiny bit preachy in places—some moments leaned a little heavy on the moralizing or felt slightly repetitive. But honestly, it wasn’t enough to put me off the main message of the book. The core insights are strong, useful, and well worth the read.

If you read The Molecule of More and found it fascinating but were left wondering “Okay, now what?”—this is the answer. It’s empowering, insightful, and full of takeaways that can genuinely change the way you navigate motivation, desire, and satisfaction.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in psychology, personal growth, or understanding the hidden forces that shape our decisions every day.

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Some good information here, wish I had read the Molecule of More first though because that is referenced a ton during this book. Still a solid recommend as ways to curb addictive behaviors.

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Learn to overcome the never-ending pursuit of more, driven by dopamine. This book uses the latest neuroscience to provide practical strategies for taming your brain’s desire for novelty—improving your relationships and finding lasting satisfaction. Interesting and easy-to-read, this book is full of strategies for living a more intentional life. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

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I really enjoyed this, but it got a little holier than thou at the end. Most of it was good, new science and practical ways to implement it into someone’s life.

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This book gives the reader hope for any kind of addiction if they are willing to do the work. From drug, shopping, eating, working, gaming, political any addiction faced if you understand the reasoning and the why, willing to do the work there is hope and healing. The book isn’t just about restricting dopamine driven behaviors—it’s about retraining your brain to use dopamine in a way that works for you, rather than against you. The emphasis on creativity, mindfulness, and building sustainable fulfillment rather than quick dopamine hits resonated deeply. I think there are many practical exercises and explanations within the pages that can be helpful not only for those with addiction but also those who care for them. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher.

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While I didn’t read the first book of the series, I really enjoyed this book. I am neurodiverse and am always on the hunt for ways to improve my life. I struggle with phone addiction, have had other areas of addiction that I struggle with, and prefer to stay off specific meds.

This book was very well researched, talking about how dopamine works, what too much/too little of it will do, how to handle issues that may arise with an imbalance, treatments, and medication therapies.

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