As someone who struggles with low dopamine, ADHD, and neurodivergence, Taming the Molecule of More felt like an absolute game changer. Michael E. Long breaks down the science of dopamine in a way that is not only accessible but incredibly actionable, offering real strategies to break free from the endless cycle of chasing the next best thing.

What I loved most about this book is how it validates the struggles of an ADHD brain—constantly seeking novelty, getting stuck in dopamine loops, and feeling like satisfaction is always just out of reach. Long doesn’t just explain why this happens; he provides a roadmap for regaining control. The insights on social media addiction, compulsive shopping, workaholism, and even relationships were eye opening, helping me recognize patterns I hadn’t even realized were at play in my own life, and I know this is something that can help others as well.

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 with me.

If you have ADHD, struggle with impulse control, or simply feel like you're always chasing something that never quite satisfies, this book is definitely one you should pick up. It’s packed with practical, research backed advice that can genuinely improve quality of life. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Michael E. Long, and BenBella Books for the eARC of this book.

This book follows from ‘The Molecule of More’ which Michael Long co-authored with Daniel Z Lieberman. I liked that book, and this one is an excellent continuation of the material in that book.

The earlier book discussed the fact that while there are many molecules in the brain, dopamine exerts a huge influence on how we behave. Much of the drive we have - to reach out for something new in the future comes from dopamine. As a pitfall, it can override careful decision making and we may give in to (reckless) impulse. This book is focused on how we can lead happy and meaningful lives with a combination of drugs, therapy, lifestyle and mindfulness. There is this interesting passage (below) which kicks off the challenge we face.

In the film Crimes and Misdemeanors, here's how a character played by psychoanalyst Martin Bergmann memorably described the problem: We define ourselves by the choices we have made. We are in fact the sum total of our choices. Events unfold so unpredictably, so unfairly, human happiness does not seem to have been included in the design of creation. It is only we, with our capacity to love, that give meaning to the indifferent universe. And yet most human beings seem to have the ability to keep trying, and even to find joy from simple things like their family, their work, and from the hope that future generations might understand more.

Unhappiness seems to be built into the human brain! This has its benefits as the restlessness we feel about our current state prompts us to aim for something we don’t have, largely driven by dopamine. This comes at a price – diluting the experience of having now in contrast to the alure of the future. Low dopamine leads to lack of interest in new things & low motivation. High dopamine leads to excess energy, decreased impulse control, and sometimes aggression. Dopamine cannot cross the blood brain barrier, so pills / supplements do not work. But pills do exist to help brain retain and manage the dopamine it produces better. The influence of microbiome bacteria is still being studied.

Many times, authors regurgitate a successful book’s content across the following books. I was happy that this was not the case here – there is some background to dopamine as a molecule, but large part of the book is about managing ourselves, and is a good logical compliment to the earlier book. The treatment is holistic spanning - research, treatments (such as for ADHD etc) and lifestyle changes. There are some nice surprises when life experiences are discussed. Does research/science support love at first sight being a possibility? Does multi-tasking achieve anything worthwhile? Can you get another person to love you? For the first one of these questions, the answer was intuitive, the second had a minor twist, while the last one had a nice surprise.

Overall, a book I much recommend. It is best to read this after reading ‘The Molecule of More’.

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.

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