Jun 29, 2026 · 14 min · 9 segments
**In this episode, we dive into the neurobiology of presence. We explore how to practically replace anxiety with hedonism.** We explore the art of deeply enjoying your life today without forgetting…
Firstly, to change how we handle the present, we have to look at brain chemistry.
There is a specific neurotransmitter responsible for our obsession with the future, dopamine.
Most people think dopamine is the molecule of pleasure.
It's actually not only this.
Dopamine is the molecule of anticipation.
It is the chemical of desire and pursuit.
It gets released when you look forward to a goal, when you plan a project, or when you swipe to see the next post.
On the other hand, we have a completely different chemical system for the present moment.
These are the here and now molecules.
Things like serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins.
These chemicals are released when you appreciate what is physically right in front of you.
The problem is that modern society is a giant dopamine machine.
We are conditioned to live in a state of postponed living.
We tell ourselves, once I hit this revenue goal, once I get this specific apartment, once my life looks like this outline, then I'll allow myself to enjoy it.
But that equation is broken.
If you spend 99% of your time practicing the mental habit of waiting for the next thing, then when you finally achieve your goal, your brain won't know how to enjoy it.
It will instantly default to its favorite habit which is looking for the next dopamine hit.
This is how people end up successful in their CV but completely bankrupt in terms of everyday life satisfaction.
Firstly, to change how we handle the present, we have to look at brain chemistry.
There is a specific neurotransmitter responsible for our obsession with the future, dopamine.
Most people think dopamine is the molecule of pleasure.
It's actually not only this.
Dopamine is the molecule of anticipation.
It is the chemical of desire and pursuit.
It gets released when you look forward to a goal, when you plan a project, or when you swipe to see the next post.
On the other hand, we have a completely different chemical system for the present moment.
These are the here and now molecules.
Things like serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins.
These chemicals are released when you appreciate what is physically right in front of you.
The problem is that modern society is a giant dopamine machine.
We are conditioned to live in a state of postponed living.
We tell ourselves, once I hit this revenue goal, once I get this specific apartment, once my life looks like this outline, then I'll allow myself to enjoy it.
But that equation is broken.
If you spend 99% of your time practicing the mental habit of waiting for the next thing, then when you finally achieve your goal, your brain won't know how to enjoy it.
It will instantly default to its favorite habit which is looking for the next dopamine hit.
This is how people end up successful in their CV but completely bankrupt in terms of everyday life satisfaction.
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