Many claim that it is the secret to a complete body-mind reset. Should you give it a shot?

If it takes place within Silicon Valley and everyone with an internet connection is aware that it's taking place there in Silicon Valley, does it mean that it's occurring? It's not. The "it" in question is the rapid healthy growth of dopamine fasting or detoxing. Bay Area execs are abstaining from all the substances that are addictive--tech and coffee, sexual activity, for up to a week (or even for months) to restore their minds and bodies and restore their lives.

What exactly is dopamine and does this speed provide evidence-based positive effects or is it merely an fad?

What Is a Dopamine Detox?

Dopamine is generally believed to be the brain's pleasure chemicals, however it has recently been identified as a motivational (or "want" chemical, which could cause you to seek items.

Enjoying and wanting are two different things and trigger an increase in dopamine may not feel great after doing them or getting them, as some experts suggest particularly in the area of addiction.

But, a dopamine detox is not associated with dopamine, or fasting. It is about having a break from different behaviors that could provide an insignificant "reward" (like excessive internet consumption, emotional eating or playing.) The idea behind taking a break, as according to the theory is designed to refresh the brain so that the person is more prepared to tackle the habits which could be having negative effects on their lives.

The idea is that once people resume the same behaviors the depleted dopamine reserves are replenished.

"A dopamine detox is touted as a way to reset and re-sensitize the brain's reward system," claims Rohit Madan M.D. is an associate professor of psychiatry at Banner - University Medical Center South in Tucson, Arizona. "The aim is to decrease the excessive stimulation of dopamine receptors within the brain. This overstimulation can be due to excessive use of technology, social media, video games, junk food, or other instant-gratification activities."

The idea of an "dopamine detox" doesn't mean that one can increase their dopamine levels through denying themselves the things they would like, like food or contact with people Madan, Dr. Madan says.

"And it doesn't mean that your experiences will be enhanced in any way if they take a break from these things," the author says. "The objective is to begin cutting down on activities one considers difficult in their lives slowly, gradually manner. However, extreme deprivation isn't advised, as it could cause harm."

A dopamine-free fast, or detox isn't the correct term, according to Michael McGee, M.D., DLFAPA, staff psychiatrist at Atascadero State Hospital in Atascadero, California.

"Dopamine itself does not cause pleasure; rather it causes motivation to get pleasure," He clarifies. "Dopamine is a molecule of drive which is a molecule of motivation which entices you towards an action. Thus, a dopamine fast can be described as an gratification-based fast, in which you avoid engaging with food, sexual activities or alcohol to give your brain the chance to reset and balance."

Benefits of a Dopamine Detox

"Limiting your engagement in instant-gratification activities that you perceive as problematic and replacing them with health-promoting activities is going to be beneficial for your overall physical and mental well-being," Dr. Madan says.

There's nothing wrong with the idea of a "dopamine detox," Dr. McGee says. Abstaining from certain activities and things you enjoy isn't anything new.

"Abstinence is ancient wisdom that has been around for thousands of years," the author states. "For instance the practice of fasting is an integral part of any major religion. The benefits of renunciation are because you're going to give up something that's not beneficial for something that is more useful."

When you give up a desire for satisfaction, you create space for satisfaction according to the Dr. McGee says. If you do are able to take a break from certain things like social media, it's essential to replace the pleasure you get from these activities with satisfaction, he adds.

"Savor the simple joys of life, like being connected to others and being grateful for what you have," Dr. McGee advises. "The secret is to focus more on purpose and meaning."

It is important to keep a healthy balance in your daily activities according to says Dr. Madan says, and to seek advice from a professional in case you're concerned about your addictions or mental health.

How to Do a Dopamine Detox

In order to detoxify dopamine it is recommended to avoid any things that can trigger a spike of dopamine within the brain Dopamine is the brain's primary chemical, Dr. Madan says. This includes avoiding some of the things you enjoy to have fun.

Instead people focus on low-stimulation, simple activities such as reading, Madan, Dr. Madan says. They could be journaling, reading, meditating and walking and spending time with family or outdoors in nature.

"Use the extra time to reflect on your habits, your goals, and your values," Dr. Madan says. "Set new goals and create a plan tor how you want to spend your time and your energy going forward."

Before you embark on Dopamine withdrawal, let us know other points you must be aware of:

It can assist you in reducing stress.

If you're the type of person who thrives on constant adrenaline (or stress) Dopamine detoxing may help you rebalance or achieve more peace in your life, advises Kate Cummins, PsyD, licensed clinical psychologist from San Francisco.

"The goal is to decrease behaviors or abstain altogether from behaviors that cause stress or addictive tendencies," she states regardless of whether it's porn or masturbating, or gambling and shopping.

By limiting our indulgences by limiting them, we can reprogram our brains.

"We're not supposed to have all that we desire all the time because it dulls the excitement of having that desired item," she states. "When you are dopamine fasting, you are essentially creating space for a slowdown and limiting behaviors that keep you feeling 'on' all the time."

It's rooted in traditional therapies.

There's no current research that specifically examines this "mental boost of dopamine fasting," it's an underlying behavioral therapy technique known as stimulus control. It's a technique that research has proven to help those suffering from addictions by removing or limiting triggers, according to Cameron Sepah, a clinical psychologist and professor at UCSF Medical School, who is widely acknowledged as having coined this term "By limiting the time you take for stimulating activities, you're engaging in time-based stimulus control, which provides structure and reduces impulsive behavior."

Sepah refers to a study that showed college students who were on Facebook for two hours per day but stopped using it for a whole week.

"The researchers found that the students reported more 'healthy behavior,'" Sepah states. "They said they ate out less, made fewer impulse purchases, were more efficient with time, and reported feeling significantly less depressed."

It's not necessary to eliminate everything from your life.

Dopamine detoxing has received much more media attention, it's was misunderstood and sensationalized Sepah states, and adds that's the reason the method has been renamed Dopamine Fasting 2.0.

To begin, Sepah says, you aren't required to stick to the strict rules of conduct for a prolonged period of time in order to restore your mental health and balance.

"You only need to abstain from behaviors that are personally problematic for you," the author says. "That's defined as behaviors causing distress (you're bothered by how much you do it), impairment (it interferes with your optimal social or school/work performance) and addictiveness (you want to cut down, but cannot consistently do so)."

You can take mini dopamine detoxes

The objective is to schedule specific breaks to allow you to reset your balance.

"I suggest people find one to four hours at the end of the day to do a dopamine fast depending on work or family demands," the doctor says. "Or, you can pick one weekend day and spend it outside, one weekend per quarter, or one week per year."